40′
9:44 p.m
But now! Anyomi plays a nice pass into the free space and sends Reuteler deep on the right wing. This is returned to the six-meter area just before the goal line, where Freigang wants to finish at full speed into the far corner. The goal scorer’s shot goes clearly past the goal to the left. Nevertheless, Eintracht combined well for the first time through the Benfica defense.
39′
9:42 p.m
The game has now significantly lost pace. Both teams allow a lot of easy ball losses and there are rarely any good combinations.
37′
9:40 p.m
A Eintracht free kick near the left touchline sails high and far into the penalty area, where Pauels plays it safe and punches the ball away to the side. That was the first time that the Benfica goalkeeper had to intervene.
33′
9:37 p.m
After a nervous initial phase, Eintracht was able to calm the game down a bit. Defensively, however, the Eagles already made a few careless mistakes.
30′
9:34 p.m
Johannes parries strongly! Doorsoun wants to give a long ball back to her goalkeeper just before the penalty area. However, the experienced defender doesn’t hit the ball, so Alidou comes between them and looks for a shot from 15 meters. Johannes shortens the angle significantly and parries, Doorsoun is able to block Alidou’s follow-up shot.
27′
9:29 p.m
The hosts counterattack and Kika Nazareth sends Nycole Raysla straight. Doorsoun has smelled this, is faster than the Brazilian and strongly prevents a dangerous attack.
24′
9:27 p.m
Prašnikar passes the ball on the left side of the penalty area to Anyomi, who has a lot of space in front of her. But then Kika Nazareth comes running behind her, puts her body in and gets the ball. Anyomi falls, but that was good and fair defensive work by the offensive player.
22′
9:25 p.m
Once again the SGE puts itself in trouble with a risky back pass. This time it is Doorsoun who gives a high ball back to Johannes well in front of the goal. The goalkeeper is approached by Kika Nazareth, but skillfully controls the ball with her chest and passes it on to Kleinherne. Well solved.
19′
9:23 p.m
The first conclusion for Eintracht comes from Dunst. The Austrian moves into the middle on the left wing and shoots flat from an acute angle and 16 meters away from the goal. The shot rushes well past the goal to the left, and the former Bremen player Pauels in the Benfica goal does not have to intervene.
17′
9:20 p.m
Benfica’s next shot from a distance: Lúcia Alves comes down the left side and puts the ball past Wolter on the edge of the penalty area and into the middle. However, her shot from 16 meters goes clearly over the goal to the right.
15′
9:19 p.m
The Portuguese’s next counterattack situation will be dangerous again: Nycole Raysla penetrates the penalty area on the left and already has plenty of space at the corner of the six-yard box. The Brazilian could also finish, but she puts it in the middle again, where Kika Nazareth cannot control the ball, so it rolls out of the goal.
13′
9:17 p.m
Benfica counters with Nycole Raysla, who passes back to Kika Nazareth on the left edge of the penalty area. The Eagles get behind the ball well, so that it passes it on to Andreia Faria. The midfielder shoots from a half-right position from 25 meters, but the shot is not well placed and does not pose a problem for Johannes.
10′
9:13 p.m
Eintracht can free themselves from Benfica pressure for the first time and appear offensive. Anyomi tries a low cross from the right wing. Benfica captain Carole Costa can certainly clarify.
8th’
9:12 p.m
The Eagles were able to easily defend the subsequent corner and two further corner kicks. However, the SGE is off to a nervous start here; the scenery seems to impress the people of Frankfurt.
6′
9:10 p.m
Hanshaw’s own goal almost! The Austrian wants to give the ball back to Johannes under heavy pressure on the left side of the defense. As standard, the goalkeeper expects the ball next to her goal. Hanshaw’s uncontrolled back pass goes towards the goal, Johannes can just about clear it, but doesn’t hit the ball properly either. Luckily the ball flies past the goal to the left and out of the goal. Lucky you!
4′
9:08 p.m
Benfica enters the Eintracht penalty area for the first time: Kika Nazareth finishes on the left in the box, but slips away. The ball rolls through a few players and the SGE defense cannot make a decisive clearance. Johannes can safely pick up Alidou’s low follow-up shot from eight meters in the Eintracht goal.
2′
9:05 p.m
The hosts immediately launched a promising counterattack via Kika Nazareth. However, the 21-year-old’s attempt to shift the game to the right can be stopped by Hanshaw.
1′
9:04 p.m
Welch cleared the encounter. The 65,000-seater stadium is far from sold out, but some fans have found their way into the stadium and are creating a dignified atmosphere.
8:59 p.m
The teams enter the pitch of the Estádio da Luz. The referee team comes from England: Rebecca Welch will referee the game, Emily Cairney and Sian Massey-Ellis will assist her. It’ll start in just a few moments. Have fun!
20:51
The venerable Estádio da Luz is now the venue for a women’s Champions League game for the first time. Benfica Women’s previous games have been played on the club’s campus. A great backdrop for this important game!
8:48 p.m
Eintracht coach Arnautis sees no reason for changes to the starting eleven compared to the 3-1 win against Hoffenheim. He is particularly relying on the storm duo Freigang/Anyomi, who have already scored nine goals in the league. Benfica’s coach Patão makes two changes compared to the 1:3 against Sporting: star player Jéssica Silva was injured with the national team and is not even in the squad. For them, youngster Kika Nazareth starts in the storm. Also, Ucheibe starts in place of Norton (bench).
8:38 p.m
The hosts are likely to go into the game with a bit of anger in their stomachs. In the last competitive game, which was already two and a half weeks ago, there was the first defeat of the season (1:3) in front of a home crowd in the derby against Sporting. Nevertheless, Filipa Patão’s team greets us from the top of the table – two points ahead of their city rivals. Benfica had no chance in Barcelona (0:5), but against Rosengård they fought hard for the three points (1:0).
8:25 p.m
The Eagles are having a solid season so far. Last Sunday, Niko Arnautis’ team consolidated third place in the league with a 3-1 win in the pursuit duel against TSG Hoffenheim, which is enough for the qualifying round for the Champions League. The SGE women have been unbeaten in seven games in the Bundesliga. This series was only interrupted by the 1:3 home defeat against the great FC Barcelona. Eintracht played a great first half, but in the end the quality of the Spaniards prevailed. The coach promises full commitment: “Even if our legs can no longer carry us tomorrow, our hearts will keep us running because we are burning for this competition. No matter who is on the pitch tomorrow and for how long, we will overcome the opponent 90 minutes of maximum resistance to go home with points.”
8:14 p.m
Eintracht’s guest appearance in Lisbon is a groundbreaking game in the fight for advancement. FC Barcelona are currently leading 4-0 at FC Rosengård and are undisputed at the top of Group A with nine points. The Swedish team, on the other hand, has not yet been able to score a point. Both Benfica and SGE were able to defeat Rosengård and had to admit defeat to Barcelona. So both teams go into this encounter with the same number of points, with the winner taking a big step closer to the quarter-finals.
8:04 p.m
Welcome to the third matchday of the Women’s Champions League! Eintracht Frankfurt faces Benfica Lisbon in Group A today. Kick-off is at 9 p.m.