10 Benfica Players Draw PSV To Qualify For Champions League Group Stage

Illustration of the Champions League playoff second leg match between PSV Eindhoven and Benfica (Photo: Gilang Galiartha/Antara))

JAKARTA - Benfica were able to hold off a 0-0 draw with host PSV Eindhoven in the second leg of the Champions League playoffs, although they had to finish the match with 10 players at the Philips Stadium, Eindhoven, Netherlands, Tuesday local time (Wednesday WIB). Portugal maintained a 2-1 aggregate advantage and qualified for the group stage of the Champions League this season, the official UEFA website notes. The hosts actually had a big advantage when Lucas Verissimo was sent off by referee Slavko Vincic in the 32nd minute after receiving a second yellow card. for elbowing Cody Gakpo in a duel for the air ball in the middle of the field. However, Benfica goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos then showed an appearance that deserved to be rewarded with the best player award through no less than eight saves he made throughout the match. before halftime, it's a shame Noni Madueke's shot from the right side k The brains of the penalty can still be secured by Odisseas goalkeeper Vlachodimos. PSV played more aggressively in the second half, but Dewi Fortuna seemed to turn away from the team made by Roger Schmidt because Eran Zahavi's close-range flick finished Gakpo's pass that still hit the crossbar. fired a shot from outside the penalty area, but Vlachodimos this time swiftly saved Benfica's goal. PSV's wave of attack after attack continued, but Ibarhim Sangare and Ramalho successively found their shots blocked by Vlachodimos. On the other hand, even with only 10 players Benfica tried to spread threats to the team. In the 78th minute, Everton Soares' long-range shot went straight into the arms of goalkeeper Joel Drommel. Five minutes before the dispersal of normal time, Vlachodimos made a save from Yorbe Vertessen's two consecutive shots in order to maintain Benfica's aggregate advantage. PSV's efforts never came to fruition until no whistle signaling the end of the match. While Benfica returned to the Champions League group stage after a season out, PSV had to be willing to again only play in the Europa League group stage for three consecutive seasons. The Champions League group draw is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 26 in Istanbul , Turkey.