Comedy of Errors in Europe

There was lots and lots of anticipation to this exciting Europa League tie. Benfica with their   highly esteemed reputation for being European kingpins, and Newcastle with their recent quiet confidence and efficiency. Everyone knows that the Stadium of Light (the real one) is a hard place to go to, but Alan Pardew himself stated that he “couldn’t wait” for the match to begin.

 

The game started with, surprisingly, Newcastle having the majority of possession. Within two minutes, Cisse found himself in space down the right, but the wet conditions made it difficult for him, and he could’t find a teammate, so his shot was saved comfortably by  goalkeeper Artur.

Newcastle kept pressing for that vital away goal, and Cisse almost got through after a fine pass by Sylvain Marveaux, but the slippery pitch meant his touch was too heavy, and Artur gathered safely. Benfica hadn’t turned up yet.

Soon enough, Benfica got slightly more into the game, and possession was becoming more even.

However, in the twelfth minute, Newcastle struck. A beautiful pass from right-back Danny Simpson gave Moussa Sissoko the space to whip in a cross that Papiss Cisse met perfectly to give Newcastle that 1-0 lead, and, of course, that all-important away goal.

Possession was shared, but Newcastle could’ve had a third. Cisse found himself in space yet again, but his shot took a deflection and a a massively important touch from Artur to send the ball knocking onto the post.

But Benfica weren’t done. This was their home turf after all. An Oscar Cardozo strike was too hot for Krul to handle, and was spilled right into the path of Brazilian born striker Rodrigo, who finished calmly and coolly. Bang. 1-1.

This was the start of complete first half domination for Benfica. Chance, after chance, after chance fell to the Portuguese outfit. Rodrigo was denied a second by a smart save from Krul. Krul also denied Nemanja Matic, who was allowed a worryingly free header that, luckily for Newcastle, was directed straight at the Dutch goalkeeper.

The best chance, however, was in the 27th minute, when Andre Gomes took a low shot which was saved brilliantly by Krul, who had the determination to get up and save Ola John’s rebound. Two world-class saves. Had Rob Elliot been in goal (who is by all means a fine goalkeeper) Newcastle might've found themselves out of the match.

The second half began, with Alan Pardew’s words of wisdom no doubt ringing in the Newcastle’s players ears. They seemed to have had an effect, as no more than two minutes after the second half kicked off, Sylvain Marveaux found Papiss Cisse with a lovely pass that left the Senegalese hitman with plenty of space down the left. Unfortunately for the Magpies, his finish hit the post, for the second time that evening. Groans from the Newcastle supporters. 

But history began to repeat itself. Benfica just pressed and pressed, and kept on trying for that winner. It was coming. Everyone in the stadium knew it.

Paraguayan goal-machine Oscar Cardozo got a slight touch on Rodrigo’s pacey cross, which would’ve no doubt given Benfica the league had he made more contact.

The goal came. Davide Santon attempted a back pass, unaware of the lurking substitute Lima dos Santos, who latched onto the back pass, took it round Krul and finished neatly from a tight angle. Peter Drury summed the goal up perfectly. Gift. No way should that goal have been allowed to happen. Abysmal defending meant Newcastle were 2-1 down.

Benfica were by no means finished, however. 

Merely five minutes later, a Steven Taylor handball meant Benfica had a chance to end this match right then, with a penalty awarded in their favour. Oscar Cardozo stepped up to take it. A delayed run up, and BANG. Buried down the middle, and the Stadium of Light was bouncing. But, to everyone’s surprise, the referee ordered a retake. The Benfica players were edging into the penalty area before the penalty had been taken.

Chance number two for Krul, to keep his side in it. But, cool as you like, Cardozo just placed the ball down the left hand side. And, credit to him, the first thing he did was go over and console Tim Krul. Fair play. A bit different to Nicolas Gaitan who pretended he’d been shot when Yoan Cabaye grazed his face with his elbow. But, in all fairness, the Benfica players had been doing it all night. Cardozo was the black sheep in the Benfica meadow of bad sportsmanship.

Newcastle knew they had to do something. Their lack of squad depth became apparent when veteran striker Shola Ameobi was brought on for the slightly injured Sylvain Marveaux. It wasn’t enough. Newcastle’s only big chance was before a controversial offside was called against Papiss Cisse and Moussa Sissoko. Those two deserved something, surely. They had run their socks off all night.

But it ended with Benfica having a healthy lead for next week’s trip to St James Park, and Newcastle just wondering how they’d made such a mess. Every single Benfica goal was due to a Newcastle error. Something for Alan Pardew to ponder, perhaps.

 

Leander Winden (@LeanderWinden)