Champions League

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Champions League | Group Stage

Dec 9, 2014 at 7.45pm UK

Benfica
0-0
B. Leverkusen Bayer Leverkusen

Match Analysis: Benfica 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 09 December 2014

Sports Mole analyses the Champions League match between Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen at the Estadio da Luz as the game ended in a goalless draw.

Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen played out a goalless draw in their Champions League clash at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday.

Lima had an excellent chance to fire his side in the lead in the 11th minute, but he missed an open goal. The forward also missed a good chance late in the half when he put his shot wide of the post.

Neither side threatened in the second half, and the German team were to rue their lack of attacking threat as they dropped down to second in Group C as a result of Monaco's victory over Zenit St Petersburg.

Here, Sports Mole analyses the game to see if the outcome was a fair result.

Match statistics

BENFICA
Shots: 14
On target: 3
Possession: 48%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 11

LEVERKUSEN
Shots: 11
On target: 4
Possession: 52%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 14

Was the result fair?

Benfica had the better chances in the match and should have taken all three points as they showed far more attacking intent. However, their potency in front of goal prevented that, and if you don't take your chances you don't deserve to win. Leverkusen were resolute defensively in the second half, and tried to force the issue a bit more. They were fortunate to avoid defeat at the Estadio da Luz.

Benfica's performance

Jorge Jesus's side were far from their best as they made several changes for the encounter, which affected their rhythm early in the game. However, Lima should definitely have put them ahead in the 11th minute when he missed an open goal after Ola John's brilliance carved out the opportunity. Defensively they were solid enough bar a couple of incidents late in the match, while Cesar and Lisandro Lopez were dominant in the air throughout the match.

Leverkusen's performance

Roger Schmidt will be disappointed with his side's display at the Estadio da Luz especially in the first half as they never seemed to get into a rhythm going forward. Their midfield was pedestrian throughout the match and didn't provide creativity or much of a defensive shield against the Portuguese side. In the second half they improved a little bit in the final third, but the final pass was lacking on several occasions. At the back they were cut open at times by John, but for the majority of the game they handled the threat of Lima and later Talisca well enough.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Ola John: In a match short on quality the winger produced two moments of magic to carve out chances for Lima, none of which were converted. The Dutchman was a threat for the majority of the game and never stopped trying to create attacking momentum for his side, but unfortunately he wasn't rewarded for his good play.

Biggest gaffe

Lima takes the honour for his awful miss in the 11th minute of the game as he conspired to somehow miss the target from six yards open with the goal gaping. That miss will haunt him for a very long time.

Referee performance Aleksei Kulbakov had a good game as he made the correct decisions on every call. He was right to dismiss Omer Toprak for two bookable offences as both yellow cards were warranted.

What next?

Benfica: The Portuguese side are now eliminated from the Champions League as a result of their fourth-place finish in Group C.

Leverkusen: Leverkusen will go into the draw for the next round of the competition.