Benfica and Bologna Play to Goalless Draw in Contentious Match with Ten Cards

Benfica’s goalless draw against Bologna meant they failed to advance towards the Champions League’s automatic qualifying positions. Early in the match, striker Vangelis Pavlidis believed he had scored the opening goal for the home team, but his skillfully chipped shot over Bologna’s goalkeeper, Lukasz Skorupski, was disallowed due to offside. Shortly thereafter, the Serie A club, Bologna, launched an attack with Thijs Dallinga, which was thwarted by Benfica’s goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin. The Greece international, Pavlidis, received another prime opportunity to score in the 65th minute, only for Skorupski to execute an impressive save from close proximity. As Benfica pressed on, a shot from Angel Di Maria from within the penalty area appeared headed for the bottom corner of the net, but Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson made a superb block. Conversely, Dallinga once more threatened in the second half, though his attempt from a narrow angle was directed straight at Trubin. Referee Radu Petrescu issued a total of ten yellow cards during the intense match held in Lisbon, with Benfica’s Orkun Kokcu narrowly avoiding a second booking. Benfica currently occupies the 15th position in the league-phase table with 10 points, a standing from which they could have ascended to 11th. Bologna, meanwhile, is placed 33rd and is still among the four teams yet to secure a victory.