[Former B player] Nolito mark to pairs with Benfica

Benfica won 4-1 at home to Marítimo with two goals from former Barcelonista Nolito, one of the Spanish also Rodrigo Moreno and another Brazilian Bruno César, and persists in a tight battle for the top two positions of the League Lusa.

In the twenty-seventh round, the victory keeps Benfica in second place, three points of Braga yesterday against Pacos Ferreira drew, and one of Porto, which plays Saturday against Beira Mar.

The figure was the undisputed exbarcelonista match to excel in the first half with two goals and assist Benfica Rodrigo and Bruno César in the other two goals.

Fifteen minutes into the game, a Nolito well positioned in the field goal finished off a pass from Pablo Aimar in a move initiated by Maxi Pereira.

Five minutes later, returned to the charge, assisted in a swift counter-attack by the Argentine Saviola, and scored a brilliant goal with a highway when passing the opposing defense.

The two goals placed at Cadiz as the second top scorer in the Benfica and sixth in la Liga, with ten goals scored in the championship.

The Marítimo, who fights with Sporting for fourth place, tried to stop Benfica in the second half with a goal from Brazilian Philipe Fidelis in a face to face with the goalkeeper.

However, the lead "red" is reassembled with the entry of Spanish-Brazilian Rodrigo, who in the first bunt (min. 65) and Nolito pass, scored the third goal.

The exbarcelonista gave a pass on the right foot to left Bruno César, who was in charge of closing the scoring with his fourth goal of the game.

In Benfica alignment also highlighted the start of the Spanish Joan Capdevila, who started as a starter, and Javi García, who played the last 25 minutes of the game in place of Aimar. (via SPORT)

Aimar: "It's hard to have great options against Barcelona"

Benfica's Argentine forward Pablo Aimar, said it is "difficult" that Chelsea find "great options" to win when they face Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League.

After the defeat of the Portuguese box at Stamford Bridge 2-1, which got off to Benfica in European competition and sealed the British to pass the next round, Aimar said that the Blues will not easy to overcome that considered the "best team in the world."

"Options yes, of course, will have, but are going to face that, in my opinion, is the best team in the world, which also has the best player in the world," said the Argentine.

Aimar praised the play of his countryman Leo Messi and considered the Barcelona forward can put against the wall at the Italian team coach Roberto Di Matteo. "The others play football. Messi Mesi plays, doing something else," described the forward.

Benfica had little chance to beat a Chelsea jumped into the grass with a defensive approach to keep the advantage from the first leg (0-1), although the Portuguese were given a scare at Stamford Brige in the final minutes with a goal from Spanish Javi García.

"We knew we were going to take our chances. We had plenty of the ball, but we're talking about a team that has great individuals, which can throw at any time," said Aimar. (via SPORT)

Chelsea and Benfica, last hurdle before Munich

Barça played the semifinals against Benfica and Chelsea (0-1 on the way).
The first leg will be played on Wednesday April 18 and return leg at the Camp Nou on 24.

The British tycoon Abramovich or the Portuguese of Benfica Lisbon will be the last step to be overcome Barça before the final in Munich. Londoners leave with the advantage of a field goal and, although Benfica will not easily give up and warns that sell expensive skin.

The stakes are a clear advantage to Chelsea, who longs to get into their second final (lost to Manchester United in 2008) and what would be the conquest of his first European scepter. Benfica, even with a lower potential football on paper, has more experience in the finals of the European Cup, as it has played so far 7 finals with the balance of 2 wins and 5 losses. The victories, by the way, with Barça and Real Madrid (1961 and 1962).

The first leg of the semifinal will be played on Wednesday April 18 and return leg in the Nou Camp on Tuesday, 24. (via MD)