Benfica, last year’s quarter-finalist, can forget about the Champions League winter after a heavy defeat in San Sebastian. Real Sociedad made a difference against Portugal with three goals in the first half and the score was 3-1.
Due to this defeat, Benfica is in the last place in Group D with no points, while Real Sociedad is the leader with 10 points. Later in the evening, Internazionale will play in and against Salzburg.
Benfica coach Roger Schmidt was without injured former Feyenoord players Orkun Kökçü and David Neres (ex-Ajax). Schmidt’s team was under pressure from Real Sociedad before half-time.
It happened just six minutes later. All of Benfica’s defenders thought this was an offside position, but this was not the case. Mikel Merino made the score 1-0 with a free header. Five minutes later captain Mikel Oyarzabal doubled the lead.
Midway through the first half Ander Barrenetxea scored a powerful goal to make it 3-0, Benfica didn’t really have much to complain about. The Basque goal was also disallowed in the first half and Real Sociedad midfielder Brais Méndez hit the post with a penalty kick.
After the break, Benfica made amends a bit with a goal from Rafa Silva, but that was it.
Union Berlin defeated Napoli
In Group C, Union Berlin surprisingly took a point in the away match in Napoli (1:1). A boost for the Germans, who had lost their previous twelve matches in all competitions. It didn’t help that Union Berlin were eliminated from the Champions League with two rounds remaining.
Danilho Doekhi was not available for the Germans due to his injury. Napoli were without striker Victor Osimhen, but they scored without him. However, Napoli’s first goal, scored by Giovanni Di Lorenzo, was canceled out by referee Danny Makkelie following VAR intervention.
It happened again a little later and the score became 1-0. Rui’s cross was deflected by a Union defender and he shot goalwards over Matteo Politano’s chest.
The guest team equalized at halftime. After a sharp counter attack, Sheraldo Becker found goalkeeper Alex Meret, the rebound went to David Fofana: 1-1. Napoli, who dominated most of the match, still had chances but ended in a draw.
Source: NOS
I’m George Gonzalez, a professional journalist and author at The Nation View. With more than 5 years of experience in the field, I specialize in covering sports news for various print media outlets. My passion for writing has enabled me to craft stories that capture the attention of readers all over the world.
