'Far from a European shark': What the press in Portugal had to say about Rangers 2-2 Benfica

Benfica and Rangers deja vu draw saw the Scottish league leaders take up a two-goal advantage, concede an own goal and allow the Portuguese giants back in to draw – just like had happened in Lisbon.

Rangers' Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos (R) contols the ball during the UEFA Europa League 1st round Group D football match between Rangers and Benfica at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow on November 26, 2020. (Photo by RUSSELL CHEYNE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by RUSSELL CHEYNE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The press reaction then was very much in praise of Darwin Nunez’ late intervention for the Eagles, and was critical of Jorge Jesus’ tactics.

This time though, there was more praise of Benfica’s all round play at Ibrox – and Portuguese media Record took a swipe at Steven Gerrard’s side.

“Benfica still reached the tie and confirmed to be much better than Rangers, an interesting team, it is true, but far from being a European shark. To beat the Scots, you might only need to play for a little over 20 minutes,” it wrote, adding “If it is fair to say that the dominance of the last 20 minutes has shown that Benfica has the potential to add a positive season (both in domestic competitions and in this Europa League), it should be noted that the first half was of worrying poverty.”

Indeed Rangers’ first half lead was slightly begrudged among the Iberian observers.

Bruno Roseiro in Observador wrote: “Without having done much for it, the Scottish ensemble was ahead; with much merit of their own, the Lisboners at a disadvantage – this move of total collective sleep.”

Record’s assessment added: “The Scots seemed to be able to play without a goalkeeper! Rangers did not need to do anything special - they played much more in Lisbon, although with the advantage of having one more man - to score at the start (incredible the passivity from Benfica from the beginning until the conclusion bid) and then go on holding the advantage calmly. And this even with Morelos, their most lethal 'weapon', far from his usual performance.”

A Bola highlighted the full-time fall-out between Steven Gerrard and Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, which required football great Rui Costa’s intervention and there was a little more praise for Gerrard’s team from Noticias ao Minuto writer Francisco Amaral Santos.

“This Rangers is a very well-crafted team and Gerrard gave another proof of that last night. However, this Scottish team seems to be showing the passing of the minutes and relaxing when they are too comfortable in the match.

“As in Luz, Rangers had an advantage and could have taken the victory, but they were surprised by the eagles' late reaction.”

Rangers 2 Benfica 2: Stephen Halliday reports from Ibrox

As with the first meeting of the sides, and a 3-3 draw in Estadio da Luz, the introduction of a substitute was highlighted as a crucial move in the match by the Portuguese press.

Then it was Darwin Nunez, this time Goncalo Ramos, as A Bola mentioned – though not in complimentary terms about the standard of the match.

“In another gray game at the exhibition level, the Eagles were at a disadvantage by 0-2, goals from Arfield and Roofe but the entry of young Gonçalo Ramos, at 70 minutes, changed the course of the game.”

Both Rangers and Benfica can qualify next week. Rangers host Standard Liege at Ibrox, Benfica host Lech Poznan. Both need just a point.

A message from the Editor:Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.