Benfica vs Chelsea, 2011-12 UEFA Champions League, Quarter-finals

· 1st Leg

Benfica

FT
0 - 1
1st Leg

Chelsea

75': Salomon Kalou

About

Benfica are hosting Chelsea at Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal, starting on . The match is a part of the UEFA Champions League.

Match Timeline

0': Join Mark Lomas from 1945 GMT for live text commentary of Benfica v Chelsea, as the Champions League quarter-finals get under way at the Estadio da Luz.
0':
David Luiz is lining up against his former club on Tuesday night.
0': Chelsea have been accused of taking Benfica lightly but David Luiz has denied Didier Drogba mocked the Portuguese giants after they were drawn together.
0': Hello everyone and welcome to live minute-by-minute coverage of this Champions League quarter-final first leg between Benfica and Chelsea.
0': First things first, Ferreira and Kalou. Who saw that one coming? Ferreira hasn't even started a match yet this year, seems like a bit of a risk to be from Roberto Di Matteo.
0': Plus, no Drogba, Lampard or Essien in the starting line-up - would have thought that sort of experience would be invaluable for a Champions League away day. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts so feel free to contact me on Twitter - @marklomasESPN is the place to go.
0': Stats: Chelsea are without a win in their last five away games in the Champions League, having lost three and drawn two.
0': That last stat doesn't bode well for the Blues, Benfica are a tidy side and still right in the hunt for the Portuguese title - though they did lose ground at the weekend when drawing 0-0 with Olhanense.
0': I've enjoyed watching Witsel and Gaitan when I've seen Benfica this season, while Pablo Aimar still has that ability to produce a match-changing moment of flair.
0': @JamesKello on Twitter: I think RDM has a bad case of #AVB syndrome with this starting 11.
0': Have to agree with that last comment. The pre-match tradition of releasing an Eagles at the Estadio da Luz has just taken place and the players are now ready to come out.
0': Stats: This is Chelsea's seventh Champions League quarter-final in nine years, while Benfica have made the last-eight just two previous times in the Champions League era.
0': The players out on the pitch and that euphoric Champions League anthem rings out amid a see of red and white around the stadium.
0': @perlick29 on Twitter: this season has been as turbulent as it gets for Chelsea, this latest starting lineup is the weirdest thing yet. #ChelseaFC
0': Let's see if we will all be proved wrong by Di Matteo - we're about to begin.
0': And we're off...
1': An early touch for David Luiz at his former home.
1': Kalou with a bit of space down the left but he dwells on it a little too long. I fear that could be a sign of things to come.
2': Cardozo and Aimar but the latter overhits his attempted through-ball allowing Paulo Ferreira a confident first hoof upfield.
3': Gaitan does really well in a physical tussle with Cole and wins a throw-in.
3': Free-kick now for Benfica and it will be Aimar to deliver from the right.
4': Ferreira misses his kick inside the box and is lucky there is no-one to capitalise on his fresh-air attempt.
5': Two good challenges in 30 seconds from Ramires, the first to dispossess Aimar as he was striding forward.
6': Torres peels to the left as Kalou goes to the ground clutching his face. Chelsea play on - I can understand why - but Torres is the one crossing towards Ramires. Surely the striker should be the one in the box?!
7': Once again Torres does well to open up some space, this time on the right wing - again he is the one looking to whip it in from the flank and his delivery is headed clear.
8': Reasonably bright couple of minutes from Chelsea there, Torres looking lively.
8': Luiz gets an important foot in to intercept a long ball aimed towards Aimar.
9': Aimar now the one clutching his face after a slightly high boot from Meireles.
9': Benfica now just looking to keep the ball but as it goes wide to Pereira, he loses it.
10': Chelsea now patiently knocking it around.
11': Luiz advances and tries a pretty ambitious effort from about 25 yards out. It's dragged wide of the post.
12': Luisao does superbly to get the ball away under pressure from Kalou, and the Chelsea man is then flagged offside a few seconds later.
13': Terry penalised for pushing Cardozo in the back. Free-kick around 35 yards out, right of centre.
14': Ramires heads the ball to safety - forgot to mention before that he, too, is playing against his former club for the first time tonight. He's been solid so far.
14': Gaitan looks to pick out Cardozo with a cross from the right, but Ferreira gets it away.
15': Speedy counter through John Terry - yes I did just say speedy and Terry in the same breath. Ramires races clear and passes to Torres, whose effort is attempted pull back is deflected behind for a corner.
16': Unconvincing punch from Artur but it does the trick.
17': Ramires again leading the Chelsea charge, he's looking like their best attacking threat thus far.
17': He's crowded out on this occasion but the Blues looking for him at every opportunity down the right wing.
18': Meireles trips Gaitan cynically.
19': Cardozo gets beyond Terry, controls the ball well on his chest and takes on a mid-air left-foot volley...
19': Wide on this occasion, bit of a let off there.
20': Witsel fires in a right-wing cross but a bushy-haired missile flies through the air to head it clear.
21': Pereira sprints to get to the byline but can't keep the ball in play. He was in a dangerous amount of space.
21': @DanIsAngry on Twitter: I think you are looking at a squad that is built for a draw, looking to the league matches for Drogba and Lamps
22': Luiz with a looping ball towards Torres, who takes it on his chest and then takes on a volley that he would have been lucky to score when he played for Liverpool, let alone Chelsea.
22': Just to clarify, that last shot went high over the bar.
23': Stats: Benfica have failed to score in only one of their last 17 matches in European competition.
24': It's been reasonably open so far, Chelsea look full of beans though I think Benfica have got significantly more flair in their ranks.
25': Ferreira wins a free-kick from Cesar, who is booked for his troubles.
25': Cesar
26': Mata delivers from the right and it's headed out for a Chelsea corner.
26': Meireles searches for Terry, who can't climb high enough to meet the corner.
27': Meireles and Ferreira getting absolutely barracked by the Benfica fans every time they touch the ball because of their Porto connections.
28': Gaitan whips it in from the left this time but Cardozo can't get over the ball so his header is over the bar.
29': Gaitan had plenty of time to feed in Emerson on the left but he gave it away cheaply.
30': Pereira tiptoes his way through with a mazy run and plays a tempting ball towards Cardozo. Luiz controls and clears very calmly. Benfica corner.
31': Chelsea manage to clear their lines after the initial corner was put out for a throw-in.
32': Benfica stepping things up now. Aimar and Gaitan seeing more of the ball and Perieria braver with his forward runs.
33': Bruno Cesar advances throught the middle and hits one from around 25 yards. It curls straight into Cech's arms though.
34': Meireles next to try his luck from distance, but it's high over the bar.
35': John Terry las lost his captain's armband (not for the first time) and the referee has demanded he be given a new one.
36': Gaitan takes a swipe at Mikel and the Chelsea man wins a free-kick.
37': Kalou loses the ball in his own half to allow Cesar, Gaitan and Aimar space for a neat exchange. The ball comes back out to Cesar on the edge of the box but he can't keep his half-volley down and it's certainly not troubling Cech.
38': Lovely bit of footwork from Torres to create room for a shot. Unfortunately the end product wasn't there. Sums up his season, really.
40': Torres releases Kalou, who tees up Meireles. Fierce low drive from the Portugal midfielder, superbly tipped away by Artur.
41': Mata searches for Torres witha diagonal pass and Jardel tackles the Spaniard. Chelsea corner.
42': Terry penalised for shirt pulling.
43': @BigSaldaddy on Twitter: any players looking at missing the next game if they pick up a yellow card?
43': Artur, Ashley Cole and David Luiz will miss the second leg if booked tonight.
44': Garcia with a rare foray forward to begin a lovely little flurry of passes between Aimar and Pereira.
45': Bruno Cesar chopped down just outside the right edge of the box by Kalou - free-kick in a dangerous position for Benfica.
45': Poor delivery though and Chelsea survive the assault.
45': There goes the half-time whistle...
45': HT - Benfica 0-0 Chelsea: Not a classic by any means, Chelsea have generally stifled the attacking threat of Benfica's talented trio Witsel, aimar and Gaitan, while Torres has been sharp with his movement, if not with his shooting. Looking for a bit more from both sides in the second half, i.e. a goal!
45': Remember, you can have your say on Twitter - @marklomasESPN is the place to go.
45': The ESPNsoccernet App is available now on the Apple App Store, and is coming soon for Android and Windows Phone users.
45': Tonight's other Champions League quarter-final between APOEL and Real Madrid is locked at 0-0 - I hope you are all on the 'APOEL for Euro glory' bandwagon.
45': For all the live chat and updates from tonight's Champions League and FA Cup matches - you can join Chris Murphy now. Though I'd obviously rather you stayed here...
45':
Fernando Torres has moved well but misfired so far.
45': @ashboy007 on Twitter: #CFC will be more than happy with a 0-0 result. works for them.
45': An away goal is always preferable but I agree that Chelsea will take a 0-0 as they will be confident of getting a win at Stamford Bridge.
45': Chelsea may boast an impressive Champions League record in recent years, but Spain have now deposed England as the top-ranked league in Europe. Good article here from Dale Johnson on why the Premier League is not going to lose a Champions League spot and Italy's demise.
45': @Chris_Daniels23 on Twitter: Maybe Di Matteo's got something stewing for the 2nd Half? #Drogs, #Lamps, #Essien in that order for Kalou, Raul, Mikel
45': I think Meireles needs to chill out a bit or it would be wise to take him off first. The crowd seem to be getting to him.
45': Benfica back on the pitch, where Chelsea have been waiting for a few minutes. And we nearly ready for the second half.
45': We're off...
46': No substitutions at half-time for either side.
46': Aimar skips away and Luiz is VERY lucky to esacape a booking after bringing him down in full flow.
47': Aimar clips it in but Chelsea hold their line.
47': Cardozo fires a shot in from Peirera's throw - Luiz blocks it just in front of the line, great reaction.
47': Benfica claiming for a penalty for handball. Not in a million years was that going to be given.
48': Drop of the shoulder from Gaitan takes him past Ramires but his cross is deflected out for a corner.
49': That little piece of skill from Gaitan has certainly cranked up the crowd volume.
49': Gaitan delivers from the left and Garcia heads it tamely into Cech's hands.
50': Cesar floats it towards Gaitan, who volleys it back across to Cardozo, who in turn heads it on to Aimar - but the little Argentine's back-flicked header didn't have any power.
51': Cesar strikes one from around 25 yards but once more it is straight down Cech's throat.
51': Kalou with no support around him does really admirably to win a free-kick from Luisao. He had nowhere else to go.
52': Luiz lining this one up from about 30 yards out...
52': Straight into the wall.
52': Torres finding space in the left channel and sends in a teasing cross. Kalou. Unmarked. Over.
53': Benfica came racing out of the blocks in the first five minutes of the second half but now it's Chelsea putting on the pressure. The tempo certainly feels like it's gone up a notch.
54': Apparently Meireles made a gesture towards the Benfica fans in the first half, I'm sure we'll hear more about that later.
55': Cole v Pereira is looking an intriguing battle and the England full-back has held off his Uruguayan counterpart on this occasion.
56': There were a series of three crosses into the box there, and it ended with Javi Garcia heading wide.
56': Cardozo lines one up from 20 yards out, but again Cech is not properly tested.
57': @brainsicktweets on Twitter: maybe a 0-0 draw till 75' min and then drogs lamps n essien in just to get that crucial away goal.
58': Chelsea just can't seem to hold onto the ball, it's all Benfica.
58': Mata has been pretty anonymous tonight. He's had very little joy out there.
59': Cross-cum-shot from Ferreira - if that'd gone in I defintiely would have had to eat my pre-match words!
60': Maxi Pereira with an acrobatic effort blocked by Cole. He gets up and tries another one and it hits Terry's arm. Could well have been a penalty.
60': Cesar then fires over.
61': Poor defending from Jardel allows Mata in and he takes it around Artur on the left...
61': He's hit the post!
61': It was a tricky angle but he's clearly annoyed with hiself and swings his boot at the advertising hoarding in disgust.
62': Stats: By beating Napoli 4-1 in the second round second leg, Chelsea became only the third English club to lose a European Cup first leg tie by two or more goals but still reach the next round of the competition.
63': Gaitan wins a free-kick after nicking the ball past Ferreira.
64': Aimar delivers but once again Chelsea resolute in defence.
65': Witsel shoots from 25 yards and it takes a massive defletcion off Terry...
65': Landing just over the bar.
66': Another set-piece comes to nothing for the Eagles.
66': With Cesar loitering behind at the back post, Cole heads the ball out for a corner. Benfica have had enough practice. Can thus be a good one?
66': No.
67': Great save by Cech!
67': Jardel's header from Gaitan's cross was palmed away by Cech - it was powerful but was actually staright at him again. Good reactions nonetheless.
67': Luisao in the book for a third foul of the evening.
68': Lampard on for Meireles.
68': I think that was a pretty predictable substitution. Some choice gestures made towards Meireles as he walks off - I'll leave them to your imagination...
69': Matic on for Aimar
69': Rodrigo on for Cesar
70': Matic of course a former Chelsea player - though he only ever made three appearances for the Blues.
71': Rodrigo with a finely-threaded through-ball towards Cardozo, but not fine enough to get past a last-ditch John Terry - fantastic defending to deflect it into Cech's grateful grasp.
72': Mata gets to the byline and pulls back a cross but it's too long for Ramires and Lampard, who were both arriving late.
72': Ramires the latest player on the pitch to show his utter inability to put in a good cross this evening as his right-wing effort is woefully over-hit.
73': Torres sprints away in the clear...
73': But he's offside.
75': GOAL Kalou.
75': BENFICA 0-1 CHELSEA: Torres was in the clear again, he skipped past Jardel accelerated away and then crossed towards Kalou who, six yards out, poked it home.
75': So Kalou's inclusion? Masterstroke. I always knew it...
76': Matic sees his name in lights with a speculative effort from 25 yards. Not for the first time this evening, Benfica watch the ball go up and into the stands.
77': Ramires wins a free-kick for Chelsea - I didn't mention before that he did really well in the build-up to the goal by keeping it in play and then feeding in Torres right by the touchline.
78': Gaitan still looking to inject a little bit of extra pace into the Benfica attack but he's looking frustrated with his team-mate's lack of movement.
80': Bosingwa on for Ferreira.
80': It's got to be a long time since Ferreira played 80 mintues, he must be knackered!
80': Another Benfica corner comes in, another Benfica corner gets cleared away.
82': Sturridge on for Kalou
82': Nolito on for Garcia
82': Nolito makes some space in the area but fires over.
83': Luiz with a marauding run out of defence, he looks like he is brought down deep inside the Benfica half but the referee isn't convinced.
84': Nolito to take a free kick on the left side around 25 yards out.
84': I'll give you one guess what happened?
85': That's right, no problems for Chelsea as Sturridge brings them forward at pace. He finds Mata who executes a delicious chip that falls just over the bar.
86':
Juan Mata has twice come close for Chelsea
87': In tonight's other Champions League quarter-final, Real Madrid are beating APOEL Nicosia 2-0 thanks to goals from Benzema and Kaka.
88': @krizon4real on Twitter: what a night Chelsea and Madrid scoring almost at the same time (74,75)perhaps Jose will be happy.
89': Emerson tries to launch a Benfica attack as the Portuguese giants look to claim a late equaliser at the Estadio da Luz.
89': David Luiz clears away the left-back's cross.
90': It's been a very disciplined performance from Chelsea. They deserve credit and Di Matteo's selection in particular does.
91': Cardozo's shot deflected - it loops in the air and is well claimed by Cech.
91': We're looking at five minutes of stoppage time by the way.
92': Gaitan crosses and it finally finds a Benfica head. Nolito's header hits Luiz and it's a corner.
92': Mata with a neat sidestep as Chelsea counter, but Benfica have it back.
93': Nolito and Gaitan with a delightful one-two, and the latter fires in a cross that is very close to being turned in by Ashley Cole. Just wide though.
94': Benfica looking to just smash it upfield with a minute to go.
94': Matic called up for pushing Lampard in the box. Silly free-kick to concede.
95': It's all over...
95': BENFICA 0-1 CHELSEA: A first away win of this Champions League campaign for Chelsea and a really disciplined display. Some surprise inclusions in the starting line-up but it was one of those, Salomon Kalou, who popped up with the winner. Benfica were frustrated and now need a really big result at Stamford Bridge next week.
95': Thanks so much for joining me folks, and if you want to keep the conversation going you can contact me on Twitter - @marklomasESPN. Until next time.

Statistics

CHE		BEN
17	Fouls	9
1	Yellow Cards	3
0	Red Cards	0
4	Offsides	0
4	Corner Kicks	8
8	Saves	2
43.7	Possession	56.3
12	SHOTS	25
3	ON GOAL	8
0.3	On Target %	0.3
0	Penalty Goals	0
0	Penalty Kicks Taken	0
254	Accurate Passes	336
325	Passes	417
0.8	Pass Completion %	0.8
5	Accurate Crosses	11
18	Crosses	33
0.3	Cross %	0.3
55	Long Balls	47
34	Accurate Long Balls	32
0.6	Long Balls %	0.7
1	Blocked Shots	8
25	Effective Tackles	10
30	Tackles	12
0.8	Tackle %	0.8
0	Interceptions	0
18	Effective Clearances	12
42	Clearances	25

Game Information

Competition: UEFA Champions League

Venue: Estádio da Luz
Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Line-Ups

Benfica (4-1-4-1)

No.	Name
1	Artur Morães (GK)
33	Jardel
4	Luisão
3	Émerson Conceição
14	Maxi Pereira
10	Pablo Aimar
28	Axel Witsel
6	Javi García
8	Bruno César
20	Nicolás Gaitán
7	Óscar Cardozo

Benfica Substitutes:

Nolito, Nélson Oliveira, Eduardo, Rodrigo, Javier Saviola, Nemanja Matic, Miguel Vitor.

Chelsea (4-3-3)

No.	Name
1	Petr Cech (GK)
26	John Terry
4	David Luiz
3	Ashley Cole
19	Paulo Ferreira
12	John Obi Mikel
16	Raul Meireles
7	Ramires
10	Juan Mata
9	Fernando Torres
21	Salomon Kalou

Chelsea Substitutes:

Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill, Daniel Sturridge, Ross Turnbull, José Bosingwa.

UEFA Champions League News

Van Dijk's warm welcome for Alexander Isak

Virgil van Dijk was on hand to welcome Alexander Isak to Liverpool's training ground.

Barcelona's Camp Nou return delayed again: When will they be back?

Barcelona closed Europe's largest stadium for renovations in May 2023. They were meant to return in 18 months, but they still don't know when they'll be back.

Maresca cautious on the fitness of Cole Palmer

Chelsea boss Enzo Mareca says they are "trying" to get Cole Palmer fit for their match vs. West Ham this Saturday.

Slot: Don't expect Isak to play 90 minutes every week

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has called for patience when it comes to Alexander Isak due to the striker's lack of preseason with Newcastle.

Metropolitano to host '27 Champions League final, Warsaw gets women's event

The 2027 men's Champions League final will be staged at Atlético Madrid's Metropolitano Stadium and the women's event will be held at Warsaw's National Stadium.