BENFICA vs ZENIT

BENFICA 1-0 ZENIT

Live Commentary

Commentary Main events

• 85'

  Kokorin scampers into the penalty area, but the Zenit substitute has the ball robbed off his toe as he looks to shoot. Moments later, Carcela drives into the penalty area while on a mazy dribble, but a combination of Witsel and Lombaerts ease the substitute off the ball.
• 83'

  Benfica threaten down the right-hand side, but an eventual cross from Andre Almeida causes no problems whatsoever. Moments later, Lodygin is forced into action due to a long-range strike from Eliseu, but the Russian goalkeeper has time to parry and then collect the rebound.
• 81'

  SubstitutionOleg ShatovYuri Zhirkov
  Zhirkov now comes into the fray for the away side, with the former Anzhi left-back able to double up on Carcela on the left flank for Zenit.

• 80'

  Important clearance from Criscito! The Italian left-back tracks back to lash a dangerous throughball behind for a corner, with Lodygin coming out confidently to claim the resulting delivery. Zenit try to counter, with Witsel driving down the left, but an eventual pass into the penalty area is cut out nicely by Renato Sanches.
• 78'

  Danny drives down the left-hand side, before doing well to win his side a throw-in. Zenit would be more than happy to leave this stadium with a goalless draw, but a late away goal could prove vital. The home fans are whistling at present, given that Shatov has gone down for an extended period of time with an apparent knock.
• 76'

  Benfica try to break away at pace, but Witsel does a good job of holding up play. The hosts haven't been able to counter to lethal effect this evening, with Villas-Boas' system ensuring that the Portuguese outfit are funnelled into certain areas of the field.
• 74'

  SubstitutionArtem DzyubaAleksandr Kokorin
  Dyzuba trudges off for the away side, after covering a lot of ground this evening. New signing Kokorin is his replacement.
• 73'

  Lodygin is forced to palm a confusing cross-cum-shot over his own crossbar, conceding a corner for the hosts. The initial delivery is half cleared, before Renato floats a secondary cross into the back post. With Lindelof knocking a header downwards, Jardel can only latch onto the loose ball and blasts a close-range attempt way over the target. Another big opportunity missed!
• 71'

  SubstitutionLuís Miguel Afonso FernandesMehdi Carcela-González
  Carcela comes into the fray for the hosts, with Pizzi taking his leave after a fairly anonymous second-half performance.
• 71'

  We're into the final 20 minutes in Portugal, with the home side finally starting to turn the screw somewhat! Zenit respond with an ambitious long-range shot from Criscito, but the visiting left-back can only send a looping shot sailing into the stands behind Cesar's goal.
• 69'

  BIG CHANCE FOR BENFICA! Andre Almeida breaks to the edge of the penalty area, but the right-back is brought down by Criscito! The Portuguese defender tries to clip a delivery to the back post, but it finds absolutely no one. Moments later, Gaitan sells Garcia a dummy and breaks into a shooting position, but Lodygin makes a vital save!
• 67'

  Yellow Card Domenico Criscito
  Criscito picks up a yellow card, but it could have been much worse! The Italian left-back slid in to commit a foul right on the very edge of his penalty area.
• 67'

  Dzyuba is looking very isolated at the head of the Zenit attack, with the Russia international struggling to get hold of possession for too long. A long ball searches for the lone target man once again, but the pass zips off the turf and straight through to Julio Cesar.
• 65'

  Renato tries to spark a quick break for the hosts, but the young midfielder gifts possession away. Zenit threaten down the left flank, with a lofted cross from Criscito only half cleared! Hulk picks up the scraps, but the Brazil international can't find space to shoot in a crowded penalty area. Nervy moment for Benfica.
• 63'

  SubstitutionKonstantinos MitroglouRaúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez
  Jimenez comes into the fray for the home side, with the ex-Atletico Madrid striker offering a little more physical and aerial presence than Mitroglou.
• 63'

  Criscito goes down with a knock, as the hosts look to make a change. Given that Lodygin really hasn't been tested during the opening hour or so, Benfica might need an injection of something different in order to get the result that they want tonight.
• 61'

  We're into the final half an hour at Estadio da Luz, with Benfica starting to show a little more urgency. Vitoria is urging his players on, with Zenit sitting rather deep and keeping things congested. Dzyuba is very reserved indeed, with Villas-Boas' men not presently having an outlet.
• 59'

  Yellow Card Francisco Javier García Fernández
  Javi Garcia picks up a yellow card, with the Spaniard now set to miss Zenit's next Champions League game due to suspension. The resulting free-kick is taken by Gaitan, but the Argentine wide man's eventual delivery is headed well wide of the target by Jardel! The away side respond with a break down the left, but Danny is unable to evade Julio Cesar with his eventual ball in.
• 57'

  Wide from Gaitan! Mitroglou does well to hold the ball up and outmuscle Garay, before setting possession back to his onrushing teammate! The Argentine winger tries his luck with his first touch, but blazes high and wide of the top-right corner. Another half-chance wasted for the hosts.
• 55'

  Javi Garcia and Renato Sanches both land awkwardly after an aerial challenge, with the latter falling on the base of his back. The teenager looks to be in some pain, but Vitoria won't be wanting to make any changes after a bright start to the second period. Fortunately, both players look okay to continue.
• 54'

  Hulk shoots from range, with a deflection almost catching Julio Cesar out! The ball bounces behind for a corner, which is then punched clear authoritatively by the Brazilian goalkeeper. Benfica respond with a counter, but Pizzi loses out to Criscito on the edge of the area, much to the disgust of the home fans.
• 53'

  Julio Cesar is forced into a save! Witsel takes aim from just outside the box, but the Belgium international can only send a low drive straight at the goalkeeper! The rebound is nearly spilled to Dzyuba, but Eliseu clears behind for a corner! The set-piece is whipped into a dangerous area, but a poor header from the same Zenit midfielder is caught well.
• 51'

  The home side have upped the tempo in the early minutes of the second half, but no chances are forthcoming. Andre Almeida tries to scamper down the right and curl in an early cross, but Shatov continues to track back diligently to frustrate the hosts. Villas-Boas' men have had the measure of Benfica throughout this evening.
• 49'

  After a half clearance from Shatov looks to release Hulk, Lindelof rises highest to deny the Zenit forward. Renato picks the ball up on the left-hand side as a result, before chopping inside, but the 18-year-old midfielder lashes an awful effort high and wide of the target!
• 48'

  Gaitan breaks to the left byline, with Anyukov having to slide in and concede a corner for his troubles. The set-piece is curled in towards the near post, but Shatov is able to hook away the easiest of clearances. Benfica maintain their pressure, but Vitoria's men just don't appear to have the final ball required to test Zenit.
• 46'

  We are back underway in the second half! Zenit are currently on course to a solid away result in the first leg of this Champions League knock-out tie, with Benfica needing to get on the scoresheet tonight if they are to have a firm foothold ahead of the away trip to Russia.
• HALF-TIME! There are no minutes of stoppage time, with the referee calling time immediately. The two sides go in goalless at the break, despite a few good chances being spurned at Estadio da Luz. Villas-Boas will be the happier of the coaches, but Benfica still have a chance of cashing in a brilliant home result.
• 44'

  Shatov tries to lead a break for the visitors, but the Russia international is hauled back cynically by Pizzi. Villas-Boas men are happy to play a long ball upfield from the resulting free-kick, with Benfica being boxed in fairly easily thus far. Everything is going according to plan for Zenit at present, minus Dzyuba's poor offside runs.
• 43'

  Yellow Card Luís Miguel Afonso Fernandes
  Pizzi gets a yellow card for cynically ending a break for the visitors, after tugging on the shirt of Shatov.
• 42'

  Benfica open play out from right to left, but Eliseu and Andre Almeida just can't seem to carry possession into a dangerous area. Jonas tries to drive towards the edge of the box, but Anyukov covers across to make a vital sliding challenge! Zenit continue to defend well.
• 40'

  Yet again, Dzyuba is caught offside, with the Zenit target man playing right on the shoulder of Lindelof at present. With merely five minutes until the break, it is incredibly hard to call who may break the deadlock first. Neither goalkeeper has had a tough save to make, with Mitroglou reduced to taking a few snapshots from range.

 

• 38'

  Gaitan drives to the right byline, before attempting to cut a dangerous ball along the six-yard line, but the Argentine winger's delivery is placed far too close to Lodygin! The Russia international goalkeeper gobbles up an easy ball yet again, to add to his list of medial tasks for the evening.
• 36'

  Just wide from Hulk! The Brazilian forward unleashes a free-kick cannonball from 25 yards out, but the attempt zips off the turf and wide of the far upright! Julio Cesar covered his angles to make sure, but that effort ended up trailing a few yards wide of the post.
• 35'

  Yellow Card Jardel Nivaldo Vieira
  Jardel is now on thin ice too, with the Benfica central defender caught clipping Hulk's heels.
• 35'

  Hulk is brought down around 25 yards from goal, with the Brazil international unceremoniously left in a heap on the turf. Jardel cynically clipped the heels of his marker, with Julio Cesar having to face another dangerous set-piece situation as a result.
• 33'

  Mitroglou has the ball in the back of the net, but it is ruled out for offside! The former Fulham striker controls a shot from Gaitan, before stabbing a low finish into the bottom-left corner, but he was a few yards the wrong side of his marker. 
• 32'

  Yellow Card Axel Witsel
  Witsel steps across Samaris and pulls the Greek midfielder back, with the referee having little option but to brandish a yellow card.
• 32'

  Shatov streaks down the left-hand side, before seeing two consecutive attempted crosses cannon back off the first defender in his path! Benfica respond with an break of their own, but Witsel ensures that Samaris doesn't go anywhere fast. Some cynical challenges are already flying in!
• 31'

  The opening half an hour have been competitive as expected, with Benfica trying to get a foothold in this midfield battle. Witsel, Danny and Garcia have been solid presences in the centre of the park thus far, with Samaris and Renato being brushed aside somewhat.
• 29'

  Mitroglou manages to find Jonas on the periphery of the penalty area, with the ex-Valencia midfielder letting fly with a curling effort! As it threatens to bend inside the far post, Lodygin gets an important touch on it to make sure that Zenit only concede a corner. The resulting set-piece is hacked clear with ease.
• 28'

  Zenit work their way down the left-hand side, with Villas-Boas' men perhaps now conscious of trying to play on the cautioned Andre Almeida. Benfica haven't really managed to gallivant out of their half too often, with the visitors having a firm grasp on their desired territory on the pitch. It is tough to tell that the away side have had a long break from competitive action.
• 26'

  Both coaches are getting very animated on the touchline, with Zenit perhaps the happier of the two sides at present. Dzyuba has been getting some good service in dangerous areas, while Mitroglou has been preying off rushed scraps. One thing that both outfits will need to take advantage of, however, is their set-piece opportunities.
• 24'

  Dzyuba is fed in behind enemy lines once again, with the physical striker taking a lovely touch to lumber beyond Jardel. Fortunately for the hosts, the linesman's flag is raised yet again for offside. Villas-Boas might just need to have a quick word with his lone striker, who has strayed beyond his last man a little too often so far.
• 22'

  Mitroglou cuts inside from the right-hand side, with the former Olympiakos striker thundering a low drive into Garay! Suddenly, this contest has burst into life, with the home supporters urging their men forward. Renato tries to link up with Pizzi moments later, but the teenage midfielder is easily outmuscled around 25 yards from goal. Zenit respond with an attack of their own, but Hulk is dispossessed on the left flank.
• 20'

  Benfica have a great chance! The hosts break down the right-hand side at pace, with Pizzi driving upfield! The winger cuts back a neat pass to the edge of the penalty box, but Samaris can only lift an awkwardly chipped effort into the gloves of Lodygin! The goalkeeper didn't even have to move.
• 18'

  Another free-kick delivery is swung into the penalty area, this time from Zenit, but Andre Almeida is on hand as first man to clear yet another disappointing ball away from danger. Benfica haven't really managed to test Lodygin, with Julio Cesar definitely being kept on his toes more in the early stages.
• 16'

  Yellow Card André Gomes Magalhaes de Almeida
  Andre Almeida picks up a very early booking, with the Benfica right-back blatantly blocking off his man in an off-the-ball collision.
• 16'

  Shatov is found scampering in behind enemy lines, following a powerful flick-on from Dzyuba! The lightweight winger nips beyond Almeida, but is pulled back by the offside flag! That was almost extremely dangerous for the visitors, with their target man having the aerial prowess required to dominate Lindelof.
• 14'

  Danny drives to the left byline, but Lindelof comes across brilliantly to block the attempted cross from the Zenit midfielder. Hulk whips in the resulting corner, but Pizzi hacks away the ball for a second successive set-piece - which meets the same demise at the near post. End-to-end stuff thus far, despite there being a lack of cutting edge in the final third.
• 13'

  Pizzi goes down after having his shirt hauled by Anyukov, with the experienced Zenit right-back being asked plenty of questions early on. The hosts load the box with red shirts for the resulting free-kick delivery, but the aforementioned Portuguese winger curls a cross straight into the opposition shot-stopper.
• 11'

  Gaitan and Mitroglou combine down the left-hand side, but the Greece international can only win an advanced throw-in for Benfica. Renato Sanches is picked out on the edge of the penalty area, but the young midfielder can only lift a terrible cross well within the grasp of Lodygin. Chances have been few and far between thus far.
• 10'

  Zenit are staying compact and tough to play through early on, with their front three looking to do all of the offensive running. Witsel and Javi Garcia are happy to sit in, with Villas-Boas' men playing quite rigidly at present. The away side aren't to be taking any chances and would rather loop aimless clearances upfield than make any costly mistakes.
• 8'

  Benfica work the ball down the left-hand side, but Anyukov does well to stand up Gaitan and dispossess the Argentine winger. Moments later, the visitors embark on a break, with Danny driving upfield with real intent! The Portuguese midfielder slides a throughball into the path of the galloping Dzyuba, but Julio Cesar slides in to smother ahead of the Russian forward.
• 6'

  Lodygin is happy to take his time with his kicks, with the away outfit clearly in no rush to force the issue in Portugal. A long ball from the Russian goalkeeper searchs for Dzyuba, but the ball loops over the visiting striker and straight through to Julio Cesar. Villas-Boas' men are keeping their cards to their chests early on.
• 4'

  Zenit win themselves a free-kick on the right-hand side, with the referee having to split up an argument between Dzyuba and Jonas immediately! The resulting delivery is dipped into a dangerous area by Hulk, with Garcia threatening to flick the ball on, but Julio Cesar is quick off his line to claim with authority.
• 3'

  Benfica keep the ball in the opening exchanges, with Pizzi released down the right-hand side. The Portuguese wide man tries to whip in a cross, but Criscito makes a timely block. Moments later, Eliseu gives away possession cheaply, but an attempted through ball into Dzyuba from Hulk is intercepted. A cagey first few minutes!
• 1'

  We are underway in the first half at Estadio da Luz! Benfica need to pick up a positive result this evening, given that it will be tough to travel to Russia and outplay Zenit in their own back garden during the second leg. Villas-Boas, however, would probably take an away goal or a competitive draw.
• Zenit substitutes: Mauricio, Kokorin, Neto, Yusupov, Kerzhakov, Zhirkov, Dolgov.
• Zenit starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Lodygin; Anyukov, Garay, Lombaerts, Criscito; Witsel, Javi Garcia; Shatov, Hulk, Danny; Dzyuba.
• Benfica substitutes: Ederson Moraes, Jimenez, Goncalo Guedes, Silvio, Talisca, Carcela, Nelson Semedo.
• Benfica starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Julio Cesar; Andre Almeida, Nilsson Lindelof, Jardel, Eliseu; Samaris, Renato Sanches; Pizzi, Jonas, Gaitan; Mitroglou.
• TEAM NEWS: There are no surprises in the back four from Andre Villas-Boas, with Zenit set to be fully fit and invigorated after a two-month break from competitive action. Javi Garcia and Axel Witsel will anchor the midfield, allowing for Danny and Hulk to try and get up in support of physical target man Artem Dzyuba. The Russia international has been in good goalscoring form this campaign, netting eight goals in 18 matches. New signings Yury Zhirkov and Aleksandr Kokorin are on the bench.
• TEAM NEWS: Kostas Mitroglou starts up top for the home side, after grabbing a goal in their last fixture. Nicolas Gaitan, Pizzi and Jonas will look to make things happen in deeper areas, with the highly rated 18-year-old Renato Sanches getting yet another start in midfield. Victor Lindelof gets only his fourth appearance of the season in defence, with few selection suprises for the hosts. Eliseu continues at left-back, with the Portuguese defender perhaps a weak link for the away side to exploit.
• Benfica may still be reeling slightly, given that the home side's last outing at Estadio de Luz ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat to league rivals Porto. Zenit, meanwhile, have lost their last three consecutive away games in all competitions, with the Russian top-flight outfit even falling to defeat in their last Champions League clash against Gent.
• Hello and welcome to live coverage of the start of the Champions League knock-out stages, as Zenit travel to Portugal to face Benfica. The hosts finished comfortably second in Group C to get to this stage of the competition, while the Russian visitors topped Group H with five wins out of a possible six. Rui Vitoria has guided his men to victories in 11 out of their last dozen competitive fixtures, meaning that this should be a very hard-fought affair indeed!