Football Club Barcelona (FCB) on Tuesday night played Benfica for on the second matchday of champions league at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, in Lisbon.
Barcelona was coming into this game with some confidence as they had beaten Levante in the league match on Sunday with a margin of 3 goals to nil. With Ansu Fati their teenage wonder boy on the bench, they must have felt that it was going to be their night. But Benfica had other ideas. The Portuguese side had won all their games in Primeira Liga and was also unbeaten in the Champions League, after drawing with Dynamo Kyiv in their opening match.
#SLBFCB | ⏹ Job done!#UCL pic.twitter.com/NMZxnH1QMr
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) September 29, 2021
Looking to attack from the get-go, Barcelona played only three at the back, with five in the midfield, they had 2 attacking players in the form of Depay and Luuk de Jong. However, the first goal of the game scored in the 3rd minute changed the complexion of the game completely. Beating German goalkeeper Ter Stegen to his near post, Darwin Nunez of Benfica put his team ahead of the Spanish giant.
Benfica take the lead against Barcelona! Darwin Nuñez ⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/Wwdco3LUhI
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 29, 2021
After having conceded this early, Barcelona found themselves chasing the ball and the lead that Benfica was not willing to let go of. Portuguese club’s defense was rock solid and their attack was sharp. They always seemed to be a threat on the counter. And the threat was converted into two more goals in the 69th minute and 79th minute by Rafa Silva and Darwin Nunez respectively.
The final whistle was the sweetest music Benfica had ever heard, as they defeated Barcelona for the first time since 1961. This loss raises several questions about Koeman’s coaching style and tactics. With no points against their name, Barcelona is fourth in Group E.
What a night!!!!! O glorioso…VAMOS @SLBenfica!!!! pic.twitter.com/2o2ua0c6W8
— Alejandro Grimaldo (@grimaldo35) September 29, 2021