Standard has held the Portuguese top club Benfica in check in his last group match in the Europa League. The Rouches took the lead twice against Jan Vertonghen’s club, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Rangers is the group winner in group D.
Standard – Benfica in a nutshell:
- Key moment: Standard takes the lead early in the second half, but cannot enjoy that lead for long. Laifis holds Ferreira very lightly, but the ball hits the dot. Pizzi doesn’t give Bodart a chance.
- Man of the match: Bodart is in a good season and was again of gold value. Both in the first and in the second half, the young goalkeeper made some excellent saves.
- Remarkable: Standard was the only Belgian club to qualify 7 times for the group stage of the Europa League, but also managed to survive it only 1 time. That was already from the 2011/12 season.
Benfica busy, Standard scores first
Standard was able to start his last game in this Europa League campaign without any pressure. Benfica was a lot stronger in the opening phase, but always found Bodart on his way. On the other side, the first chance went against the ropes. Raskin headed a cross from Jans very cleverly in goal.
Standard could not enjoy that lead for long. Barely a minute later, Taarabt pushed on well, Everton simply finished. Benfica remained the better team afterwards and at times pushed Standard away completely, but goals were no longer scored before the break.
Cheap penalty costs Standard victory
After half-time, Standard came under less pressure and that resulted in a new lead. Tapsoba was given a lot of time and space and saw his shot go past Leite through the foot of Vertonghen.
Again Benfica came alongside very quickly. Laifis held Ferreira for a moment and he went very eagerly to the ground. Referee Kulbakov saw it as a penalty, a strict judgment.
Pizzi put himself behind the ball and tied the score again. In the ultimate slot, the same Pizzi gave the visitors almost the full loot, but his shot went against the bottom of the bar.
Standard leaves the Europa League with their heads held high, Benfica goes to the next round together with group winner Rangers.
Oulare: “One point was more than justified in the end”
- Philippe Montanier (Standard coach): “I can only be satisfied after tonight. We played against a Champions League-level team with a lot of individual qualities. It is a shame that we have to swallow the 2-2 in such a way. The circumstances were not always favorable. during this campaign, but we can leave the Europa League with our heads held high. “
- Obbi Oulare (Standard attacker): “We did not play a good campaign, but today we have a good result. In the first half the pace was very high and fortunately Benfica did not push all the way. Ultimately, the point is more than justified. Unfortunately, we left a chance for the next round. Still against Lech Poznan and the Rangers, but now we can fully focus on the rest of the competition. “
- Jorge Jesus (coach Benfica): “We close the group without a defeat, which is a good sign. As second in the group we can draw a team from the Champions League, but we fear no one. We play football at a higher level against a better opponent. That Jan Vertonghen was the captain? I wanted to do him a favor. Jan is a charismatic player who is very popular in Belgium.
Montanier: “The penalty phases were not really in our favor in this Europa League”
Oulare: “Still good result after a bad campaign”
- 20:45
- 90+4′
- 90+2′
- 90+2′
- 90+2′
Lat brings Standard to the rescue in the added time
- 90′
Bodart keeps Everton out of 2-3
- 88′
- 88′
- 85′
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