CL Matchday 6 - SL Benfica vs Manchester United - Wed. December 7 [R]

vs. ​

Wednesday, December 7th 2005 - 2.45PM EST Kickoff

Last Result from Matchday 2 - Manchester United 2-1 SL Benfica

Note: Manchester United's only goals so far in the Champions League have come against SL Benfica.​

 

Bad news. Early reports are suggesting Simao will miss the Man U clash.

Sabrosa doubt for Manchester United clash

LISBON (AFP) - Benfica captain Simao Sabrosa is doubtful for the Portuguese champions' final Champions League group game against Manchester United on December 7 with a thigh muscle injury.
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Benfica coach Ronald Koeman spared the 26-year-old winger from Wednesday's goalless Group D match against Lille on Wedneday in Paris and he will likely be out for a month.

"We are experiencing bad luck when it comes to injuries," Koeman told reporters following the match against Lille.

A month?

 

The keyword here is caution.

Benfica will throw caution to the wind

Benfica firmly believe they can beat Manchester United in their final group game to reach the next round.

Koeman, known for being a cautious coach, also put out a defensive line-up against Lille for Tuesday night's 0-0 draw in Paris.

Dutchman Koeman believes that the ball is now in Benfica's court: " I believe we deserved the draw and Benfica have got every chance of getting through. The group is nicely balanced and now we will battle in the game against United. The game in Lille proved that it's also necessary to defend, but I hope that the attack gives us a win against United."

I'd like to think that Koeman will go all out to try and get the win against Man United. But, let's face it, he's going to be very cautious, defend most of the match, and hope Benfica can score on a counter attack.

Brazilian centre-half Luisao agreed, saying: "It was a good result in Lille and we should be congratulated. Our group is not yet decided. We will be playing at home and can win."

Winger Simao Sabrosa, who scored with a stunning free-kick at Old Trafford, is the main playmaker, alongside Petit in midfield, while Luisao is a rock at the back. The goalkeeper, Quim, intends to play through the pain of an injury.

This is not good. Playing through pain? Is Rui Nereu really that bad?

 

There is no doubt that Benfica have benefitted from a group where all four teams are struggling to find any sort of form.

The Group of Dearth*

GROUP D of the 2005-06 Champions League is probably the most tightly contested of any in this season's competition, with all four teams still able to qualify on the final match day.

But, despite all this tension, fans may feel slightly short-changed as the group looks set to become the lowest-scoring pool in the history of the competition.

There have been just eight goals in 10 matches in Group D. Bizarrely, Benfica, who are bottom of the group, are the top scorers of the four teams while Lille have netted just once in five games.

The current record for the least goals in a Champions League group was set last season when Liverpool, Monaco, Olympiakos and Deportivo La Coruna mustered just 21 strikes between them.

The participants of 2005-06's 'Group of Dearth' would have to fire home
13 goals in the remaining two games on the final match day just to match that all-time low.

But, the lack of goals in this season's competition doesn't stop there. Group G, which contains Chelsea, Anderlecht, Real Betis and holders Liverpool, has seen just 14 goals so far, albeit with four games yet to play.

* dearth - n. 1. A scarce supply; a lack

 

Was there ever a doubt ESPN2 wouldn't show it? They've shown all of Manchester United's CL matches including all three 0-0 draws (ratings suicide if they're trying to sell MU to the US audience) and their loss to Lille. They'd be crazy not to show this one.

 

United in Best request to Benfica

LISBON (AFP) - Manchester United have asked Benfica whether they can pay respects to George Best at their Champions League match on December 7, the Portuguese press have reported.

United beat Benfica 4-1 in 1968 to become the first English club to win the European Cup in Best's finest hour as a player. The teams also clashed in the 1966 quarter-final with United winning over two legs.

"Manchester have contacted Benfica about paying respects to George Best," said sporting daily A Bola Sunday.

The two teams meet in Benfica's stadium on light in the final round of Champions League group stage matches.

United have also said they would like Benfica legend Eusebio to be associated with any respects paid. Eusebio was on the pitch the night of the 1968 tussle when Best scored an injury-time goal.

"He was a world-class football genius, a gentleman, a real sportsman," said Eusebio to the press after the death of the Northern Irish player was announced on Friday.