AEK 1 - Benfica 0 - Greek Woes Continue

Benfica's bad streak in Greece continued, as the team could not beat AEK. In a game that turned out to be more of a bad read by the team and staff than anything else. Benfica walked into a game expecting one thing, and got something else instead, costing them a whole first half, and ultimately the game.

The starting 11 were just as i had projected on my preview, with Julio Cesar in goal, Maxi, Luisao, David Luiz and Peixoto in the defensive. Garcia, Aimar, Ramires and DiMaria in the midfield, Cardozo and Saviola up front.

It was the first time this season i saw Benfica start the game in such a complacent fashion. While up until this point, we had seen an all out Benfica from the starting whistle, in Greece it was as if the team waited to see what AEK was going to do.
On the other hand, AEK started compact, waiting for the team who had been dominating their opponents all season to come to them. As the first 10 minutes of the game elapsed, AEK realized that Benfica had stepped on the field in bashful fashion, and realized that they could very well impose their game, and they did.
DiMaria did hit the upright, but other than that Benfica's chances were far between in the first half.
AEK progressively took control of the game, and went into the locker room with a just 1-0 lead.

The second half brought a more recognizable Benfica, but with having to chase the equalizer, as the clock ticked down, the team slowly changed from their automatism's to more of a rushed game as expected. Benfica created several chances, but the inspired AEK keeper managed to save them every each way he could.

Along with what believe was the wrong approach to the game, I have to say that some of the players were well below their level, Aimar being one of them. Surely his call up to the national team as to be something on his mind. But I wouldn't accuse Aimar of saving himself, or being hesitant to go all out to save himself for the national team, that would be not only unfair, but speculation on my part, but his performance does leave some doubts.
Off course, I can't blame the loss solely on Aimar, as I have said that several players were well below their normal level.
Certainly with the right approach Benfica could have easily won the this game still in the first half, but they didn't, which sets up an important matchday 3 against group leaders Everton, and a sense of urgency to get the points to leave us in good standing in the group.

As for ramifications, I don't believe this result will have any influence on the team, but we will have to wait until Monday to see what kind of response the team will have.

# - Photo Via abola.pt