Bettor.com rates the players that had to fight it out for glory in the severe Russian winter at the Luzhniki stadium yesterday.
Zenit St Petersburg:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yuri-Zhevnov-c37682: 3.0
The goal keeper cost his side the game with a string of miscued catches. The Meshki will be hoping that first choice starter Malafeev is back sooner than later after this horrendous display.
Alexander Anyukov: 6.5
A decent outing by the 29-year-old, with the only minor blip in the game being his booking for a crunching challenge on Bruno Cesar.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bruno-Alves-c8108: 6.5
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 man did the Eagles no favours as he was solid at the back. However he received caution from the referee for his challenge on Spanish striker Rodrigo, which eventually led his departure from the foray.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicolas-Lombaerts-c27825: 7.0
An effective display by the defender, who kept Oscar Cardozo at bay for most of the 90 minutes.
Tomas Hubocan: 7.5
A superb day at the office for Hubocan. Silenced Gaitan and Pereira to a certain extent and curled in a sumptuous ball for Shirokov’s first.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roman-Shirokov-c31645: 8.5
The defensive midfielder nabbed victory with a scrappy goal late on but his earlier goal was a thing of true beauty. Excellent touches and vision all night long making him the undisputed top of the match.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Konstantin-Zyryanov-c21312: 4.5
Not up to his usual standards. His passing was woeful and he often gave the ball cheaply, rightfully taken off at the break.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Igor-Denisov-c16694: 7.0
An unsung hero, as he ran his socks off and often led his team by example.
Victor Fayzulin: 6.0
Although he did a good job of marauding down the flank whenever he could, he should have kept a closer watch on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Maxi-Pereira-c25004.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aleksandr-Kerzhakov-c4569: 7.5
Troubled Luisao with his positioning but was unlucky not to get on the score sheet despite a couple of attempts.
Maxim Kanunnikov: 4.5
An anonymous display by the attacker, in which he failed to beat his man or make any notable contribution. Subbed off at half time for Vladimir Bystrov.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alessandro-Rosina-c4741: N/A
Arrived too late into the game to change the score line.
Sergey Semak: 7.5
The former CSKA Moscow man maybe in the twilight of his career but oozed quality on the pitch and even got in on the action with a brilliant back heeled finish.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vladimir-Bystrov-c36328: 6.5
Made his manager look like a world-class beater as he combined with fellow substitute Semak for his goal but blasted a glorious opportunity although he was offside anyway.
Benfica:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Artur-c6727: 5.0
Not one of his memorable nights and looked completely befuddled by the opposing defence.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emerson-c12442: 6.5
Was sturdy in defence but should have participated in attack more often.
Luisao: 6.0
The skipper was off his pace in the opening exchanges but returned to his usual self later on.
Maxi Pereira: 6.5
Scored his side’s opener and was a genuine presence on the pitch. But will be disappointed with his late clearance, which gifted Zenit the winner.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ezequiel-Garay-c13071: 7.0
The Argentine was not at his best but still managed to keep the opposition from taking advantage of playing at home.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bruno-c8098 Cesar: 6.0
Not a convincing performance by the Brazilian. Should have never started the game and was taken off at the interval.
Nicolas Gaitan: 7.0
Benfica’s most in-form player looked subdued for most of the ninety minutes despite some moments of quality. Wouldn’t have wanted the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City watching the game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nemanja-Matic-c27531: 6.5
Did a good http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 of filling in for Javi Garcia and kept it simple with short passing in the centre of the park.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Axel-Witsel-c7029: 7.0
The Belgian International wasn’t up to his usual standards but always looked ready to take on the opposition and carve out chances for his side.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oscar-c28720 Cardozo: 7.5
The mercurial Paraguayan looked off colour due to the harsh winter but still rallied his teammates with a goal poachers finish in the closing stages, although he wasn’t able to help the visitors in seeing out the game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rodrigo-c31437: 5.0
Taken off after a tackle from Bruno Alves, showed promise initially but it wasn’t to be for the former Real Madrid man.
Miguel http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vitor-c36281: N/A
Sent on for a late cameo.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pablo-Aimar-c28938: 6.5
Brought on for Rodrigo but was largely ineffective in the first half. Turned up the tempo in the remaining 45 minutes but picked up a yellow card, which rules him out of the return leg at Estadio da Luz.
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