Benfica coach http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jorge-c19120 Jesus happy with the draw against Manchester United – Liga Sagres News
After holding Manchester United to a 1-1 draw in the UEFA Champions League, Benfica coach Jorge Jesus claims that his side did not only put up a great display but were unlucky not to walk away with the three points at Estadio da Luz.
The Reds hosted an in-form Manchester United and were the definite under-dogs going into the encounter.
However, their talismanic duo, Nicolas Gaitan and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oscar-c28720 Cardozo reduced the young United defence to shambles and put on a great show in their own backyard.
Sir http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Darren-Fletcher-c10361 pulled the strings from midfield.
The visitors were not at their full-strength but it was still expected that they would be able to counter the threat of Benfica, given their impressive string of latest results. However, the Premier League champions struggled all night and were only spared
from blushes by a moment of magic from the ever-green Ryan Giggs.
A point against Manchester United is something which all teams savour and the Eagles were no different.
While basking in the glory of a hard-fought win, manager Jorge Jesus said that not only were his players outstanding on the night, they fully deserved the draw and should have claimed the three points as they were the better side.
Speaking to the reporters, Jesus said that while earning a point against last year’s runners-up was a massive achievement for the club, Benfica should definitely have enjoyed victory in the tie.
"If there was to be a winner, it had to be Benfica. It is not the goals which count, but the points. A point against Manchester United is not bad. They had more possession of the ball, but we were ahead in terms of chances on goal."
The trainer was also keen on lavishing praise on his players, who had been on their toes to deny the likes of Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Luis http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299 from getting on the score sheet.
"We managed a draw against a top team, filled with quality and experience. We defended well and created problems to their defence.”
Lastly, the 57-year-old said that although United had drawn their opening UEFA Champions League fixture, they remained the odds-on favourites to top the group because of their immaculate home form.
"Manchester United are the favourites of the group," Jesus added. "They will be unbeatable at home, but I want to stress there are three teams fighting for the second place,” Jorge Jesus was quoted as saying.
Benfica will look to build on this performance when they take on Academica in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
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