Oţelul - Benfica - 2011

Bruno César's goal near the end of the first half was enough for SL Benfica to win at FC Oțelul Galați and maintain their unbeaten start to Group C. The Portuguese side had looked the most likely winners from the first whistle, although they will be disappointed not to have established a more decisive scoreline as they added to the point they gleaned against Manchester United FC. However in a furious rally, the Romanian champions almost snatched a point on what was their first home fixture in a UEFA competition proper for 23 years. Technically superior, Benfica were more aggressive in attack, more adept at finding their man with a pass and they knew exactly how to keep their opponents fixed to the rack. In players of the calibre of Nicolás Gaitán and Javier Saviola, the Lisbon club had the means to make this an uncomfortable first home game among the European elite for Oțelul. Axel Witsel struck Benfica's first shot of note on target but fortunately for the home team Milan Perendija was in the way and the ball deflected wide. Gaitán then bent his attempt just the wrong side of the upright. By the half-hour mark the visitors could peer at a corner count showing 5-0 in their favour and wonder when the breakthrough would come, another chance sliding away when Bruno César snatched at his drive. But just when Oțelul thought they would make it to the break without serious damage, they fell behind. Gaitán manufactured the opening with a wonderfully judged pass that picked out Bruno César's diagonal run. Controlling the ball in an instant with his left foot gave him the time to pick his spot with his right. The home fans who had made the 300km journey to witness history in the making in the splendid setting of Bucharest's new National Arena never stinted in their support and hopes were raised when Ioan Filip took aim and stung Artur's palms. However, Benfica finished as they had started - on the front foot with Óscar Cardozo planting a header straight at Branko Grahovac while substitute Rodrigo was perilously close to finding the net in added time. Just minutes before that, though, Sorin Frunză had unleashed a venomous volley which Artur did well to beat away. Perendija put the rebound wide. Things are likely to not get any easier for point-less Oțelul when Manchester United visit Bucharest on 18 October, when Benfica travel to Switzerland to face fellow section pacesetters FC Basel 1893.

Dorinel Munteanu, Oțelul coach: "A defeat is a defeat - it doesn't matter how much effort we put in, I can't be satisfied with a defeat. You cannot get away with so many mistakes at this level, but I still believe that we defended well, even if they were more dangerous from open play", especially in the first half. In the second half, we played with more courage and must now try to earn some points in our remaining games. Generally speaking, we lacked fight against a very strong team, and without courage you can't achieve anything at this level."

Jorge Jesus, Benfica coach: "We controlled the match. We played a great first half with a lot of possession and without Oțelul creating any great danger. We weren't as good in the second half, but still they only created a dangerous chance in the final minute. Our goal was to secure victory and three points and we did that. It will now be a fight among three teams - Basel are well placed to qualify after tonight's 3-3 draw at Old Trafford. It will be a different story in Switzerland [on 18 October], but we have time to think about that. Bruno César played really well and is showing the quality he has." [UEFA.com]