Benfica does not have a good dress rehearsal for next week’s Champions League clash with Ajax. The Portuguese team gave up a 0-2 lead against Good view, where Kenji Gorré played an important role. After more than ninety minutes of play there was a 2-2 final score on the scoreboard.
There seemed to be no blemish in the air for Benfica in the first half. The game got off to a slow start, but after about twenty minutes of play, Benfica broke free. Adel Taarabt gave his team a 0-1 lead and about ten minutes later it was Alejandro Grimaldo who doubled the lead.
Benfica’s Achilles heel became painfully clear in the second half, however. The defence, including Jan Vertonghen and Nicolás Otamendi, had a hard time. Boavista’s agile players took advantage of this. Gustavo Sauer reduced the tension fifteen minutes before the end, Gaius Makouta beautifully made it 2-2 after a good action by Gorré. Boavista then had chances to make it 3-2, but the net was not found.
The draw does not bode well for Benfica in the battle for the title in Portugal. The team is third and has nine points less than leader FC Porto, which has also played one game less. At Benfica, the focus can be on next Wednesday, when Ajax will visit Lisbon at 9 p.m.
