CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Group C: Giggs earns Man Utd a point at Benfica
Thursday, September 15, 2011 5 hours ago
Manchester United earned a hard fought point in Portugal against Benfica as they came from behind to draw 1-1 in the Stadium of Light.
Sir Alex Ferguson made a host of changes for this Champions League game and certainly in the first-half, for all their possession, it was Benfica who looked the more dangerous, and it was only after the break that United imposed themselves more on the tie.
In last season’s competition the visitor’s went eight hours before conceding a goal, but this time around they fell behind after less than half-an-hour.
Certainly the goal was deserved by Benfica as Nicolas Gaitan knocked the ball into Oscar Cardozo who cleverly turned Jonny Evans before firing home past Anders Lindegaard.
The home side remained on-top until three minutes from the break when United levelled with their first chance of the game.
Out of nothing Antonio Valencia, who was United’s most impressive performer of the game, turned the ball into the path of Ryan Giggs who strode forward and hit a glorious rising shot into the back of the net for his 29th European goal in his 22nd season with the Reds.
United edged the second-half even if Benfica had chances to take the lead as Lindegaard saved from Agudo Nolito and Nicolas Gaitan late on.
Giggs again went close but Wayne Rooney was well marshalled by the Benfica rearguard and looked a frustrated figure at times, but overall both teams will be happy with a point.
Referee: Damir Skomina (SVN)
Venue: Stadium of Light
Attendance: 59,671
Benfica scorers: Cardozo 24 Man Utd scorers: Giggs 42
ASKS: Did Sir Alex Ferguson almost pay the price for making too many changes to a winning team?
Yellow cards: Rooney (MU), Carrick (MU), Aimar (BEN), Pereira (BEN), Gaitan(BEN)