Juventus 2-0 Benfica - Eagles’ Champions League hopes hanging by a thread | OneFootball

Benfica’s hopes of reaching the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds were dealt a big blow in Italy where they were beaten 2-0 by Juventus.

The hosts started the game on the front foot, Nicolás Otamendi twice thwarting Kenan Yildiz before the winger tested Anatoliy Trubin and fired a shot past the post.

Benfica weathered the storm, an effective and persistent press getting them into the contest. Andreas Schjelderup pounced on a loose pass which gave Georgiy Sudakov a chance, the playmaker denied by Michele Di Gregorio.

The pressure was maintained, Otamendi’s interception presenting an opportunity for Gianluca Prestianni who fired over the bar.

The match swung back in Juventus’ favour, Fabio Miretti heading over and Weston McKennie’s cross headed wide by Jonathan David.

Miretti made way for Francisco Conceição at the break as Juventus continued to look more likely to score. McKennie met Pierre Kalulu’s cross but couldn't beat Trubin from close range.

Thuram and McKennie score

The Old Lady finally broke through in the 55th minute. Khéphren Thuram had been a peripheral figure before picking up a loose ball and allowed a free pass into the box by Leandro Barreiro, the midfielder taking advantage by firing into the bottom corner.

Luciano Spalletti’s side doubled their advantage in the 64th minute. McKennie played a 1-2 with David, got past Otamendi and Fredrik Aursnes before another 1-2 with David took him past Tomás Araújo, McKennie racing clear and stroking the ball past Trubin.

Aursnes headed a corner off the bar before José Mourinho brought on Enzo Barrenechea and Franjo Ivanović for Sudakov and Schjelderup. Spaletti replaced Andrea Cambiaso and David with Juan Cabal and Lois Openda.

Juventus looked certain to make it 3-0 when Amar Dedić diverted Conceição’s cross towards his own goal, Trubin doing well to claw the ball off the line.

Benfica were given a lifeline when Bremer kicked Barreiro and referee Serdar Gözübüyük eventually pointed to the penalty spot. Pavlidis stepped up but slipped and sprayed the ball well wide.

Ivanović broke free but somehow failed to spot an unmarked João Rego, the final chance of the game. Juventus managed the remainder of the contest and sealed a spot in the knockout rounds, Benfica on the outside looking in.

Benfica’s hopes hanging by a thread

Injuries to Enzo Barrenechea and Richard Ríos came at a bad time for José Mourinho who has been reluctant to throw Manu Silva into the fray. Juventus led 2-0 when he brought on Barrenechea in the 70th minute.

Fredrik Aursnes and Leandro Barreiro are good enough to man the midfield at Rio Ave, but Barreiro’s defensive limitations were exposed in Italy, particularly in the build up to Khéphren Thuram’s opener.

McKennie played a big role in Juventus’ victory after Francisco Conceição’s introduction allowed him to move into central areas. Mourinho and his side were too slow to react.

Benfica’s 3-2 defeat against Qarabag at Estádio da Luz was a costly one that gave the Eagles a mountain to climb. Victories over Ajax and Napoli revived hopes that now rely on a win against Real Madrid and other results to go their way.

It’s possible but unlikely, Los Blancos their toughest opponent who will be desperate to win and seal a spot in the top eight.