Blue-Black loses by heavy 5-1 scores against Benfica

After the 0-2 defeat in the outward match, Blauw-Zwart needed a small miracle to still qualify for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League against Benfica. Benfica took a 2-0 lead in the first half after goals by Rafa Silva and Ramos. In the second half, the score was further extended through goals by Ramos, João Mario and Neres. Meijer was able to save the honor for Club with a clever goal.

Club experienced a disappointing night against KV Oostende last Friday and consequently, changes in the starting line-up were to be expected for the confrontation against Benfica. In the end, only one change was made: Jutglà was relegated to the bench and Yaremchuk got his chance from the start against his former team. The Ukrainian striker had to provide the Bruges goals. At home team Benfica there were no changes compared to the first game at Jan Breydel.

The match at the Estádio da Luz began at a furious pace. In minute 2, João Mario immediately shook the nets for the home team after he tapped in a cross behind the supporting leg. Fortunately for Club, however, prior to that, offside was detected by Ramos and so the early Portuguese party did not go ahead. Immediately thereafter, the Brugge players also stuck their noses in the window, but Vanaken was just unable to head Nielsen's cross between the posts. Shortly before the quarter-hour mark, Ramos was sent deep into the box, but Mechele was fortunately able to neutralize the danger with an ultimate tackle. When the Portuguese pressed the gas pedal, things sometimes went a little too fast for Club. João Mario went deep and placed the leather to the penalty spot. There, Florentino kicked the ball just wide of goal. Around minute 20, the visitors again got away well when Grimaldo went through at speed and laid off for João Mario. The latter kicked the ball past Mignolet, but luckily Meijer saved on the line.

A few minutes later Blauw-Zwart came out of the quagmire after all and it was again captain Vanaken who could be dangerous with his head. This time Lang was the attacker, but again the goal frame was not found. In this phase Club got a bit more grip on the game and on the half hour this resulted in a free kick on the edge of the sixteen. Vanaken unfortunately kicked the leather into the wall. Just at the moment that the Bruggelings got a bit better in the match, Benfica struck mercilessly. Ramos sought depth on the flank and found Rafa Silva in front of goal. He made space for himself before placing the ball in the far corner with an outside foot. This was the signal for Benfica to push even harder and on the stroke of halftime Club had to concede another goal. Ramos dribbled his way into the box and left Mignolet without a chance.

The second half started with one change at Blauw-Zwart: Lang remained in the dressing room and was replaced by Onyedika. Initially, little danger was created and the first chance was for Club. Meijer put the ball in front of goal, but Yaremchuk had to lean back too far to frame his header. A little before the hour, however, Blauw-Zwart was dealt another blow. The ball passed very quickly from foot to foot and eventually Grimaldo found Ramos in the sixteen. The latter outsmarted Mignolet with his second of the evening. Moments later, the hat-trick was almost a fact, but Mignolet did not let himself be surprised when Ramos deviated the ball from close range with his knee.

Unfortunately, however, this proved to be a reprieve from an even tougher execution. In minute 70, Sylla put the foul tackle on Gilberto and ref Meler pointed to the spot. João Mario knew no mercy and sent Mignolet the wrong way. Blue-Black had to empty the chalice all the way to the bottom, as moments later Neres provided the forfeit score. With an overhead shot, he left Mignolet hopeless. The VAR briefly checked for offside, but the goal was approved. It was clear that Benfica was a size too strong for this Club, but fortunately Rafa Silva's curl went wide of the goal.

In the end the honorary winner fell to Blauw-Zwart in a very nice way. On the edge of the penalty area, the Dutchman slammed the ball into the top corner. Blauw-Zwart lost badly, but can still look back on a fantastic Champions League campaign!

Champions League - 1/8th final (back)
Spectators: 65,000 - Estádio da Luz
Referee: Halil Umut Meler (Tur)
SL Benfica: Odisseas Vlachodimos - Alexander Bah (63' Gilberto), Antonio Silva (88' Lucas Vérissimo), Nicolas Otamendi (74' Morato), Alejandro Grimaldo - Joao Mario (75' João Neves), Chiquinho (63' David Neres), Rafa Silva, Florentino Luis, Fredrik Aursnes - Gonçalo Ramos.
Bench: Samuel Soares, David Neres, Gilberto, Lucas Vérissimo, Gonçalo Guedes, Casper Tengstedt, Andreas Schjelderup, Petar Musa, Rafael Rodrigues, João Neves, Morato, Cher N'Dour.
Coach: Roger Schmidt.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Clinton Mata (63' Denis Odoi), Brandon Mechele, Abakar Sylla - Tajon Buchanan, Casper Nielsen, Hans Vanaken (75' Mats Rits), Kamal Sowah (75 Antonio Nusa), Bjorn Meijer - Noa Lang (46' Raphael Onyedika), Roman Yaremchuk (62' Ferran Jutglà).
Bench: Josef Bursik, Senne Lammens, Dedryck Boyata, Jorne Spileers, Denis Odoi, Raphael Onyedika, Mats Rits, Cisse Sandra, Chemsdine Talbi, Antonio Nusa, Ferran Jutglà.
Coach: Scott Parker.

Yellow cards: Yaremchuk, Lang, Otamendi, Sylla, Meijer
Red cards: none
Goals: 38' Rafa Silva (1-0), 45+2' Gonçalo Ramos (2-0), 57' Gonçalo Ramos (3-0), 71' João Mario (4-0), 77' David Neres (5-0), 87' Bjorn Meijer (5-1)