Elite League Cup Semi Final Match, Benfica vs. Barcelona (Thu Jul 28)


                              Benfica  |  Barcelona
                              5-4-1 P  |  5-3-2 A
                      Steven Theobald  |  Bryngar Myre
                                       |
                      E_Thorstvedt GK  |  GK Romero
                         J_Djourou DF  |  DF B_Myre
                         C_Thomson DF  |  DF G_Bale
                       Yann_M_Vila DF  |  DF G_Wilkinson
                         R_Tomassi DF  |  DF J_Myre
                         M_Zeffane DF  |  DF Ciaran_Clark
                       H_Kiessling MF  |  MF R_Kopa
                          B_Zamora MF  |  MF I_Muniain
                       B_Abdoulaye MF  |  MF Adnan_Januzaj
                         Zheng_Zhi MF  |  FW M_Hunt
                       Nathan_Dyer FW  |  FW L_Modric
                                       |
                          J_Moreau SUB |  SUB Pepe_Reina
                          P_Caddis SUB |  SUB G_Collins
                            J_Bolm SUB |  SUB C_Obradovic
                        S_Perrotta SUB |  SUB B_Spencer
                         L_Fabiano SUB |  SUB Maradona

Referee: S_Farina (Italy)


Min. 5  :(brc) R_Kopa with a smart pass to L_Modric
          ...  A scorcher of a shot from L_Modric !
          ...  E_Thorstvedt falls over
          ...  He recovers to tip it onto the post!
          ...  But it hits his back!
          ...  GOAL !!
          ...  Unlucky!
          ...  The Barcelona fans start to taunt him now!
          ...  And that takes his tally to 10 for the season!!
          ...  That puts Barcelona ahead!
          ...  Now can they hang onto it!
          ...  Benfica 0-1 Barcelona ...
Min. 6  :(bfa) B_Zamora has found himself in space
          ...  He looks up for his team mates
          ...  He swings the ball in
          ...  Nathan_Dyer gets on the end of the pass
          ...  He is in space!
          ...  Nathan_Dyer attempts to drive it home!
          ...  But Romero just gets his fingers to that one
          ...  CORNER!
          ...  Zheng_Zhi drives it into the box!
          ...  C_Thomson with the shot!
          ...  But Romero makes a comfortable save
          ...  He gave the striker no chance
Min. 9  :(bfa) B_Abdoulaye races into the box
          ...  He sees C_Thomson lose his man
          ...  He cuts the ball back to him
          ...  But B_Myre puts the ball out of play
Min. 10 :(bfa) The manager shouting something towards his players
          ...  It looks like he's turning things round a bit
          ...  Benfica will now play C
Min. 11 :(brc) I_Muniain is forced back with the ball
          ...  He belts the ball up field
          ...  Adnan_Januzaj latches onto the end of it
          ...  Adnan_Januzaj keeps his head down as he hits the shot!
          ...  The ball moves through the air!
          ...  E_Thorstvedt moves quickly!
          ...  Can he get to this?
          ...  E_Thorstvedt tips it wide!
          ...  CORNER!
          ...  J_Myre floats the ball in!
          ...  E_Thorstvedt reads it well, and claims it!
Min. 12 :(brc) R_Kopa has found himself in space
          ...  He looks up for his team mates
          ...  He swings the ball in
          ...  M_Hunt gets on the end of the pass
          ...  He is in space!
          ...  M_Hunt with the cheeky shot!
          ...  Terrific shot
          ...  It takes a bounce of the defender
          ...  The deflection takes it just wide
          ...  That's unlucky!
          ...  CORNER!
          ...  Adnan_Januzaj curls it into the box!
          ...  E_Thorstvedt makes the catch!
Min. 18 :(bfa) Zheng_Zhi plays it to his team mate for a one-two
          ...  B_Abdoulaye decides to keep possession instead!
          ...  He runs towards the goal now!
          ...  B_Abdoulaye fires off a left-footed shot !
          ...  It's beaten Romero
          ...  It goes wide !!
Min. 18 :(brc) I_Muniain runs down the flank
          ...  He threads the ball in to M_Hunt
          ...  M_Hunt hits the shot!
          ...  It swerves a lot!
          ...  E_Thorstvedt makes himself big and wins the ball
Min. 18 :(bfa) H_Kiessling picks out Nathan_Dyer with the cross
          ...  R_Kopa with an over the top challenge
          ...  He's lucky to be let off for that one
          ...  Bryngar Myre looks relieved
          ...  Steven Theobald is far from happy with that decision
Min. 20 :(brc) I_Muniain floats the ball in to find G_Bale
          ...  G_Bale aims the cheeky shot at goal!
          ...  But he puts it over
          ...  He can't be happy with that effort
Min. 21 :(bfa) Zheng_Zhi plays in Nathan_Dyer with a beautiful ball
          ...  Nathan_Dyer drives the shot in!
          ...  Romero gets his fingertips to it
          ...  He pushes it on to the post
          ...  The defender clears the loose ball
Min. 25 :(brc) R_Kopa heads the ball back to M_Hunt
          ...  M_Zeffane robs him of the ball
Min. 26 :(brc) I_Muniain hits the ball through the heart of the defence
          ...  L_Modric latches onto it!
          ...  Nathan_Dyer with a bad challenge
          ...  S_Farina refrained from booking him but had words
Min. 26 :(brc) R_Kopa is taking a throw in
          ...  He is taking a run up at it!
          ...  He throws it long to L_Modric
          ...  Yann_M_Vila bundles the player over!!
          ...  That's a foul!!
          ...  The ref looks across to his assistant!
          ...  Play on!
Min. 28 :(bfa) C_Thomson sprints past the defender
          ...  Ciaran_Clark dives in two footed!!
          ...  Play On!!
Min. 28 :(brc) I_Muniain takes a throw in
          ...  He throws the ball into M_Hunt
          ...  Excellent sliding challenge from Yann_M_Vila
          ...  He could have easily caught the defender is he hadn't been careful
Min. 34 :(brc) I_Muniain looks around for support
          ...  He knocks the ball across to M_Hunt
          ...  But he loses control of it
          ...  J_Djourou belts it clear
Min. 38 :(brc) I_Muniain races into the box
          ...  He sees G_Wilkinson lose his man
          ...  He cuts the ball back to him
          ...  G_Wilkinson with a thundering shot!
          ...  But he got that all wrong
Min. 40 :(brc) B_Myre with a superb first touch
          ...  He sees a team mate making a run!
          ...  He plays the ball across to him!
          ...  M_Hunt gets on the end of the pass
          ...  R_Tomassi with a nasty foul
          ...  The fans are chanting "OFF!!! OFF!!!
          ...  S_Farina will just give him a speaking to
Min. 43 :(REF) The 4th official signals that there is 1 minute of time to be added on
Min. 45 :(brc) Barcelona restructured their strategy to D

*************  HALF TIME  ****************
Half Time Score: Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

Min. 46 :(brc) R_Kopa is all alone
          ...  the linesman keeps his flag down
          ...  Good sliding challenge from C_Thomson and it had to be
Min. 48 :(brc) M_Hunt finds his way through
          ...  His quick turn fooled C_Thomson
          ...  M_Hunt must beat E_Thorstvedt!
          ...  It hits off a defender!
          ...  E_Thorstvedt is wrong footed!
          ...  It drifts just wide!
          ...  CORNER!
          ...  R_Kopa drives it into the box!
          ...  M_Zeffane wins the ball
          ...  And he heads it away
Min. 50 :(bfa) L_Fabiano is coming on for M_Zeffane and playing FW
Min. 50 :(bfa) Benfica will now play A after the order comes from the dugout
Min. 50 :(bfa) L_Fabiano takes advantage of a mistake by G_Bale
          ...  Can he make them pay?
          ...  I_Muniain wins the ball well
          ...  S_Farina has given a free kick
          ...  He gets away with that one
          ...  It's just a warning
          ...  The ref gives a PENALTY !!
          ...  Nathan_Dyer with the spot kick
          ...  GOAL!!
          ...  That's got Benfica back level!
          ...  Benfica 1-1 Barcelona...
Min. 52 :(brc) Adnan_Januzaj with a real burst of pace
          ...  He shows J_Djourou a clean set of heals
          ...  B_Abdoulaye takes the ball and the player!!
          ...  But the ref waves play on!!
Min. 59 :(bfa) B_Zamora holds the ball up and waits for support
          ...  He knocks the ball across to Yann_M_Vila
          ...  J_Myre stands firm and knocks the player to the ground!!
          ...  That's a rash challenge!!
Min. 60 :(brc) Adnan_Januzaj knocks the ball past the lunge of B_Zamora
          ...  C_Thomson stands his ground and wins the tackle
Min. 63 :(bfa) Nathan_Dyer steps over the ball
          ...  He nutmegs I_Muniain
          ...  That a lovely piece of trickery
          ...  Nathan_Dyer lobs Romero!
          ...  Romero makes a great save
          ...  And he manages to hold onto it as well!
Min. 74 :(brc) G_Collins takes off his tracksuit
          ...  he'll replace G_Bale as DF
Min. 75 :(brc) Maradona is coming on and Ciaran_Clark is being brought off
          ...  Looks likely he will go and play AM
Min. 75 :(brc) It looks like the manager is going to make a few changes to his side.
          ...  B_Spencer will come on for J_Myre and play MF
Min. 75 :(brc) Barcelona switch to playing A
Min. 77 :(bfa) Zheng_Zhi sprints down the flank
          ...  He plays the ball across to L_Fabiano
          ...  L_Fabiano controls the ball well!
          ...  He hits the shot towards goal!
          ...  Romero with the acrobatic save
          ...  Well saved
Min. 79 :(bfa) B_Abdoulaye with an in swinging cross to Nathan_Dyer
          ...  Nathan_Dyer heads the ball towards goal !
          ...  But Romero tips it over
          ...  S_Farina has given a goal kick
          ...  Unbelievable !
Min. 80 :(bfa) The assistant manager is out on the touchline shouting orders
          ...  It seems Benfica will now be playing L
Min. 80 :(bfa) Nathan_Dyer turns past the defender
          ...  He sees a team mate making a run
          ...  He plays the ball through to J_Djourou
          ...  J_Djourou with the diving header !
          ...  He had to be brave there
          ...  The shot deflects wide into the crowd!!
          ...  CORNER!
          ...  L_Fabiano hits it into the box!
          ...  Romero fists it away!
Min. 81 :(bfa) J_Bolm is being prepared to come on
          ...  Zheng_Zhi is leaving the pitch
          ...  He applauds the crowd
          ...  Looks like his replacement will play MF
Min. 81 :(brc) B_Spencer boots it towards L_Modric
          ...  L_Modric drives the shot in!
          ...  It flies wide!
          ...  He should have hit the target at least!!
Min. 82 :(bfa) H_Kiessling sidesteps his marker
          ...  He showed great skill there
          ...  H_Kiessling with the strike !
          ...  Terrific shot
          ...  It takes a bounce of the defender
          ...  The deflection takes it just wide
          ...  That's unlucky!
Min. 83 :(bfa) P_Caddis takes off his tracksuit
          ...  he'll replace R_Tomassi as DF
Min. 83 :(bfa) H_Kiessling finds himself in acres of space
          ...  H_Kiessling fires off a left-footed shot !
          ...  But Romero just gets his fingers to that one
          ...  S_Farina has given a goal kick
          ...  Unbelievable !
Min. 84 :(bfa) B_Zamora has the ball on the wing
          ...  He knocks the ball past I_Muniain!
          ...  He has some space now!
          ...  But B_Myre clears the ball to safety
Min. 86 :(brc) B_Spencer pulls it back to M_Hunt
          ...  M_Hunt bears down on goal!
          ...  It's beaten E_Thorstvedt
          ...  It goes wide !!
Min. 88 :(REF) The 4th official signals that there are 4 minutes of time to be added on
Min. 88 :(bfa) J_Bolm off the woodwork.
          ...  B_Zamora picks up the deflection
          ...  B_Zamora sees Romero off his line !
          ...  The shot slips through Romero's hands
          ...  But goes wide!
          ...  He got away with that!
Min. 92 :(brc) Adnan_Januzaj off the woodwork.
          ...  B_Spencer picks up the deflection
          ...  B_Spencer with a low drive through the rain!
          ...  It hits the sponsor hoarding
Min. 93 :(bfa) H_Kiessling fires over a low cross to L_Fabiano
          ...  L_Fabiano with a little chip!
          ...  Romero is just going to watch it go over!
          ...  It dips dramatically!!
          ...  But goes just over !!
          ...  Romero looks very relieved!

*************  PENALTY SHOOTOUT  *************


          ...  PENALTY !!
          ...  Nathan_Dyer steps up!
          ...  Romero dives
          ...  GOAL!!
          ...  The keeper had no chance there!
          ...  Benfica 1-0 Barcelona...

          ...  PENALTY !!
          ...  M_Hunt is taking it!
          ...  He's put it over!

          ...  PENALTY !!
          ...  L_Fabiano is taking it!
          ...  He's converted it!!
          ...  GOAL!!
          ...  Benfica 2-0 Barcelona...

          ...  PENALTY !!
          ...  L_Modric is taking it!
          ...  E_Thorstvedt tips it wide!

          ...  PENALTY !!
          ...  J_Bolm is taking it!
          ...  Romero dives
          ...  GOAL!!
          ...  The keeper had no chance there!
          ...  Benfica 3-0 Barcelona...

          ...  PENALTY !!
          ...  Maradona is taking it!
          ...  He's put it over!


          ...  Benfica wins the penalty shootout



*************  FULL TIME  ****************


Match Details
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Venue                : The Allianz Arena
Attendance           : 148,296
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benfica Match Info
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best player          : Nathan_Dyer (Man of the Match)
Scorers              : Nathan_Dyer (50 pen)
Sent Off             : N/A
Booked               : N/A
Injured              : N/A
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barcelona Match Info
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best player          : R_Kopa
Scorers              : L_Modric (5)
Sent Off             : N/A
Booked               : N/A
Injured              : N/A
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Match Statistics
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Benfica     |    Barcelona
Attempts on Goal     :          13        |       10
Off target           :           5        |       7
On target            :           8        |       3
Possession           :          53        |       47
Corners              :           2        |       3
Red Cards            :           0        |       0
Yellow Cards         :           0        |       0
Subs Used            :           3        |       3
Fouls                :           9        |       9
Key Tackles          :           7        |       3
Key Passes           :          10        |       15
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Score          : Benfica 1 - 1 Barcelona
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Player Statistics - Benfica
Name          Pos  St  Tk  Ps  Sh  Ag | Min Sav Ktk Kps Ass Sht Gls Yel Red KAb TAb PAb SAb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E_Thorstvedt   GK  39   2   6   4  13 |  95   4   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  10   0   0   0
J_Djourou      DF   3  30   5  10  35 |  95   0   1   0   0   1   0   0   0   0  20   0   1
C_Thomson      DF   2  29  12   6  25 |  95   0   2   0   0   1   0   0   0   0  40   0   5
Yann_M_Vila    DF   2  28  13   8  22 |  95   0   2   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  40   0   0
R_Tomassi      DF   1  27   8   7  37 |  84   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
M_Zeffane      DF   1  26   9   7  31 |  51   0   2   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  40   0   0
H_Kiessling    MF   4  11  30  10  31 |  95   0   0   2   0   2   0   0   0   0   0  20   6
B_Zamora       MF   2  12  29   9  25 |  95   0   0   1   0   1   0   0   0   0   0  10   1
B_Abdoulaye    MF   2  15  28   8  39 |  95   0   1   2   0   1   0   0   0   0  20  20   1
Zheng_Zhi      MF   1   9  28   8  42 |  82   0   0   3   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  30   0
Nathan_Dyer    FW   2   6  11  27  31 |  95   0   0   1   0   4   1   0   0   0   0  10  40
J_Moreau       GK  27   1   2   2  14 |   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
P_Caddis       DF   2  25  12   8  28 |  11   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
J_Bolm         MF   2  11  27  13  32 |  13   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  10   0
S_Perrotta     MF   2   9  24  18  27 |   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
L_Fabiano      FW   1   4  10  25  18 |  44   0   0   0   0   2   0   0   0   0   0   0   6

Player Statistics - Barcelona
Name          Pos  St  Tk  Ps  Sh  Ag | Min Sav Ktk Kps Ass Sht Gls Yel Red KAb TAb PAb SAb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Romero         GK  39   2   5   1  22 |  95   8   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  30   0   0   0
B_Myre         DF   1  31  13   6  30 |  95   0   2   1   0   0   0   0   0   0  40  10   0
G_Bale         DF   2  29  11   7  42 |  75   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   1
G_Wilkinson    DF   1  28   9   7  31 |  95   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   1
J_Myre         DF   2  27   9   7  39 |  76   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Ciaran_Clark   DF   2  27   8   8  24 |  76   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  20   0   0
R_Kopa         MF   2  14  29   8  23 |  95   0   0   4   1   0   0   0   0   0   0  55   0
I_Muniain      MF   1  10  27   8  24 |  95   0   0   7   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  70   0
Adnan_Januzaj  MF   3  11  26  10  23 |  95   0   0   1   0   1   0   0   0   0   0  10   5
M_Hunt         FW   2   9   7  33  33 |  95   0   0   0   0   4   0   0   0   0   0   0   8
L_Modric       FW   1   7   2  27  31 |  95   0   0   0   0   2   1   0   0   0   0   0  21
Pepe_Reina     GK  27   2   1   1  32 |   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
G_Collins      DF   2  26   9   7  19 |  20   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
C_Obradovic    DF   2  24   5   7  20 |   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
B_Spencer      MF   1  11  28  12  31 |  19   0   0   2   0   1   0   0   0   0   0  20   1
Maradona       AM   1  10  26  16  18 |  19   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
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