In the play-off with "gold medal"

With a rigorous and competent collective performance, Benfica returned from Istanbul with the qualification for the Champions League play-off in its European curriculum. The international press paid close attention to the match (1-1) and the eagles' qualification, that will face PAOK in the last access level to the group stage.

For the Turks of "Fanatik", the play in which Castillo found Gedson for the goal of the eagles was "a gold medal" in the match from the second leg of the Champions League 3rd qualifying round.

In Spain, the "Marca" newspaper highlighted the sturdiness and consistency of Benfica: "Not even Soldado prevented Fenerbahçe's elimination. With Grimaldo in the starting XI, Benfica took advantage of the 1-0 result in the first leg in Lisbon."

"As" noted that Benfica "increased its expectations of once again playing the biggest continental Club competition".

"ESPN Brasil" went into details and valued the play of the reds' goal. "Gedson received a beautiful pass, deflected the goal from the goalkeeper and opened the scoring in Turkey. Winning by 0-1 away at Fenerbahçe, the spot in the play-off was imminent", it reported.

In Italy, the prestigious newspaper "La Gazzetta dello Sport" saw a Benfica "smiling". "Gedson scored, Potuk drew, the tension skyrocketed, but Benfica grabbed the qualification", it described.

In the view of the French newspaper "L'Équipe", Benfica knew how to avoid the "Turkish torment", to take the lead away at Fenerbahçe through the "promising" Gedson. "Decisive in the benfiquista goal, Castillo came off due to injury shortly after", wrote down this newspaper.

One on the right flank, the other on the left wing, Salvio and Cervi in Benfica's starting lineup and the Argentinians followed their performances. "Toto Salvio was important in the play of Benfica's goal by delivering the pass for Castillo's assist", pointed out "Olé".

The English of "The Guardian", the "style" of Castillo (launched by Rui Vitória in the starting XI  in Istanbul) in the assist for Gedson's finish earned a special emphasis, such as the way how "the right flank" worked a play that launched Benfica to the Champions League play-off.

Texto: João Sanches

Fotos: Isabel Cutileiro / SL Benfica