Benfica relieved to deny Sporting in Lisbon derby
Monday, February 9, 2015
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"We are more pleased with the draw than they are," said SL Benfica coach Jorge Jesus after a last-gasp goal spared his side a derby defeat at Sporting Clube de Portugal.
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The Estádio José Alvalade drew a record crowd of 49,076 for Sunday's Lisbon derby but Sporting Clube de Portugal were denied the three points, Liga leaders SL Benfica snatching a 1-1 draw at the death.
"This result is better for Benfica than for Sporting – we're more pleased with the draw than they are," said Benfica coach Jorge Jesus after central defender Jardel scored for the Eagles deep into added time, an 87th-minute Jefferson strike having seemingly earned Sporting a crucial victory. "It was a very close match, played with great intensity, especially when both teams were defending, not giving any space. The creativity of the players was not much in evidence because both sides knew how to cancel the other out."
Sporting kick off their UEFA Europa League round of 32 tie against VfL Wolfsburg next week, and had won six straight Liga games going into Sunday's match. Third in the table, they were optimistic about closing the seven-point gap to reigning champions Benfica. A cagey encounter came to life in the closing stages with Benfica goalkeeper Artur – in for the injured Júlio César – making fine saves from André Carrillo and Fredy Montero. He was eventually beaten by Jefferson, only for Jardel to reply with Benfica's only meaningful shot of the game.
"There is frustration in our dressing room but football is like this," Sporting coach Marco Silva said. "It was a great injustice as we clearly deserved to win. We were the only team that wanted to win. It's not easy to concede the equaliser with the last move of the match – that left everyone frustrated and once again it cost us points, like at home to Porto [1-1] where we scored an own goal. Benfica had some luck in the way they got the draw here, and while we capitalised on one of their errors, we pushed and we made it happen."
Benfica thus managed to avoid a second defeat in three outings, though their advantage at the top of the table is down to four points. Second-placed FC Porto won 2-0 at Moreirense FC on Saturday, with forward Jackson Martínez notching his 16th goal of the season – and his side's 5,000th in the league.
The Eagles goalscorer was nonetheless positive. "We knew it was going to be a very tough match as it was a derby, but we did well and had a great game," said Jardel as he reflected on Benfica's point. "Unfortunately we conceded late, but we believed until the very end. I scored the equaliser, and more importantly it prevented us leaving here with a defeat."