Yes we did lose tonight, but for 60 minutes we played with 10 men after Ryan Babel got sent off.
We started the game very strong and Daniel Agger scored just after 9 minutes.
Even after Babel was sent off we were still creating chances however a Torres goal was ruled out as offside.
It was tough to hold on with 10 men, and Benfica capitalised on the numeric superiority in the 2nd half. Insua brought down Cardozo, who scored from the penalty spot.
A few minutes later Benfica made it 2-1 after Carra brought down Di Maria and Cardozo converted the second penalty.
Insua will also miss the return leg at Anfield having received a yellow.
Overall I was not very happy with the referees (all 6 of them) tonight but that away goal is precious.
We will destroy them at Anfield.
Y.N.W.A.
-Antoine
Antoine. Not a bad result. We still would have need to win at Anfield and the away goal is priceless. As you said, we played an hour with 10 men. Unfortuneately, both Babel and Insua will be suspended for the return leg but I must say the young argentinian did not have a good game again and has somehow become the weak link in out defence. He gave awat too many balls, gave away the first penalty and Benfica capitalized on his insecurity. Otherwise a generally good performance especially given the running the lads had to do against a very technical and attacking prone side.
I won’t say were through to the next round, won’t be that easy, but we are most certainly in pole.
I am emotionally driven by the loss, I was watching from a restaurant here in Egypt, and the bloody pundit got Babel mistaken with Markus Babbel for God’s sake, bad bad bad refereeing had cost us this, I thought the red card was harsh, if Babel were to be sent off, he should’ve sent off Luisao as well. Pathetic, no problem, We will maul them at our fortress!! YNWA
My view of last night – we did start well but thanks to Ryan we gave our advantage away as soon as he was sent off. Come on the guy is meant to be a professional football and as such should know that if you raise your hands (especially in front of the ref) you’re going to be in trouble – Rafa gives him a run in the team and this is the way he thanks him. Personally I would fine the guy a couple of week’s salary.
As for Insua he is so out of his depth it’s isn’t true. His positioning is poor, game awareness is bad (as a certain Alan Hansen said “if in doubt when defending just launch it”) and he was very lucky not to be sent off – he kicked Aimar and if the Ref had seen it he was gone. I think Rafa needs a little bit more cover in this area. Insua is a young player and with the right coaching will be grand but at the minute he needs a rest and a lot more practice.
As for the Ref – I think the word ‘joke’ describes him best. Anyone else think he had a Benfica shirt under his own top?
All that said I am confident that we’ll go through next week, but it will not be an easy match.