Before Benfica’s heavyweight derby clash with Sporting got underway, the players after completing their pre-match warm-up sessions, were forced to run off the pitch via an Emirates ‘check-in desk’, with airline staff awkwardly standing by.
Once the game took off it was the high flying Eagles who made the most of their strong start as Rafa Silva’s brilliant cross found Salvio who stretched to fire high into the net.
A second soon followed, courtesy of another great ball, this time from Nelson Semendo.
The full-back found Raul Jiminez who doubled the lead with a bullet header.
Benfica coach Rui Vitoria was pleased with the display against their rivals.
“It was an intense derby,” he explained. “Not the best quality perhaps, but Benfica showed great determination to win, with the help of the crowd.”
Sporting complained that two penalties should have been awarded to them, the first of which was at the origin of the Benfica goal.
Sporting manager Jorge Jesus believed his side had been unlucky to come away with nothing.
“The best player in this match was Benfica goalkeeper Ederson. What did we lack in this game? The only negative was that the referee was not consistent to both teams”, he explained. Sporting, dumped out of the Europa League, can now concentrate on domestic issues whilst Benfica can look forward to an exciting tie against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League round of sixteen on 14 February.
Eight days later, FC Porto will host Juventus at the Dragon Stadium. André Silva is in prolific form and has nine goals
in thirteen league games plus another two in Europe.
His two goals in the 4-0 demolition of Feirense included a penalty after the home side had keeper Icaro sent-off after just three minutes.
Leicester City fans could be taking flights to Faro for the two-hour drive up to Sevilla for their Champions League game. Leicester’s league form has been patchy, but their Champions League performances have largely been excellent, while last week’s thrashing of Manchester City showed that former Sporting favourite Slimani and Jamie Vardy are working up a good understanding. Sevilla will have most of the ball, but Leicester can cause an upset.