In a closed match in Türkiye, Fenerbahçe and Benfica matched goals in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs. Richard Ríos started in the Portuguese midfield and Jhon Jader Durán started in attack with the Turks. The classification will be defined in Lisbon.
Photo: Efe – Erdem Sahin
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Fenerbahçe and Benfica signed a goalless draw in Istanbul in the first game of the Champions League playoff. The duel, played in an environment full of expectation, left everything open for the definition in Lisbon, where the classified will be known to the group stage. Despite the frame and competitive tension, neither team managed to break equality.
The first half was characterized by prudence and mutual respect. Benfica had more possession of the ball, with Richard Ríos as an active piece at startalthough without real depth in the rival area. Fenerbahçe, on the other hand, opted to wait and look for quick transitions, but barely worried the Archer Trubin on a couple of occasions. The break came after 45 minutes, with just some diverted auctions and without major emotions.
The second part showed another face. The Turkish team came out with greater decision and pushed by his hobby was installed in the rival field. Benfica responded with isolated attempts, but the game changed in the 71st minute: Florentino Luís received the second yellow in a matter of minutes and left the Portuguese with ten men. From that moment, the initiative was on the local side.
Fenerbahçe threw himself by the victory and found the clearest action through Youssef En-Nesyri, who scored in the 81st minute. However, the illusion of the advantage faded quickly when the judge annulled the goal out of play. The Turkish siege continued until the end, but Benfica's defense resisted with order and trade to keep zero.
Controversial play between Nicolás Otamendi and Jhon Durán
The final stretch was a monologue of the painting led by José Mourinho, who accumulated centers and approaches in the rival area. Benfica, with one less man, endured retired and managed to sustain the result thanks to the defensive work and the security of his goalkeeper Trubin, appears in the few auctions that demanded intervention. The final whistle left the feeling that Fenerbahçe let out a golden opportunity in his stadium.
With this 0-0, the series is completely open. The pass to the group stage will be defined in Lisbon, where Benfica will seek to impose his locality and the Fenerbahçe will try to give the visitor's blow. The margin is minimal and any detail can make a difference in a tie that is anticipated equally closed in the second chapter.
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