In the build-up, Bayern coach Pep Guardiola had described Benfica as having “perhaps the best back four” in Europe, after leaking just 19 goals in the Portuguese league this season.
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Pep Guardiola heaped praise on Arturo Vidal after the Chilean headed the victor against Benfica. Bayern Munich should have added a second goal in the 89th minute when Vidal slipped a perfectly weighted through-ball to Robert Lewandowski, but the Polish striker inexplicably opted not to shoot against a helpless Ederson.
They came close to elimination in the last round, beating Juventus only after extra-time with a stoppage-time Thomas Müller goal saving them from defeat, and they also lost 3-1 to another Portuguese side, Porto, a year ago.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be like that. “We were able to cause some problems for Bayern and we might even have deserved a goal”.
Arturo Vidal’s header makes its way towards goal for the only score as Bayern Munich beat Benfica.
Bayern Munich hosts Benfica for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday, aiming to leave the second leg a mere formality in reaching the club’s fifth consecutive semifinal.
“My players implemented our strategy very well and I am proud because we put in a good performance here”, said Benfica’s Vitoria.
Like Munich, Benfica will be without two crucial players at the back, as Lisandro López and Luisão are set to miss the first leg due to injury.
OverviewBM is a very strong team to face and to win at their home is a tough job to do for any team in the world.
“Benfica move so well and there wasn’t a lot of space for us in the middle of the park outside of the final 20 minutes of the first half”, said Guardiola. I’m happy with his play.
“Everything is still open and we will fight for every centimetre in Lisbon”.
Bayern Munich supporters have voiced their opposition to plans for a potential European Super League.
However, Benfica, who won the old European Cup twice back in the 1960s, have made a habit of defying the odds in their first season under coach Rui Vitoria.
Jonas had earlier picked up a yellow card, ruling him out of next week’s second leg through suspension.
“In the knockout stage the more important game is the second one which we will play in Lisbon”.
Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer pointed out that the key thing for Guardiola’s side was that they did not concede an away goal.
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Benfica were narrowly victorious over Zenit St Petersburg over the two legs in the previous round; winning 1-0 in Lisbon, and 2-1 in Russian Federation.
