UCL: Benfica vs. Chelsea

Chelsea's Fernando Torres in UCL action.  (Getty Images)

Chelsea had a tough week coming into their first leg of quarterfinal action at Benfica.  Last Wednesday they lost a lead late at Manchester City, and then had a disappointing home match on the weekend that ended in a draw vs. Spurs.  They looked like a side that might be content to play for a draw in Portugal, but what they actually put out was a great road performance.

The match took awhile to really get off the ground, as it looked like neither side was really willing to take a risk early on.  The first chance of the match fell to Chelsea in the 11th minute, but it was a long range effort from David Luiz that went well wide. Fernando Torres saw his first chance of the match on 22 minutes, but saw his volley miss as well.

Benfica would have a number of chances from set pieces throughout the evening, but they really didn't get a lot of quality from them and rarely troubled the Blues.  In the end, they would rue those missed opportunities.  

The best chance of the first half came to Chelsea in the 40th minute.  Raul Meireles set up  just outside of the 18 and sent a scorcher of a drive in on the Benfica goal.  Artur managed to dive and parry the ball away to preserve the 0-0 scoreline going into halftime.

Benfica must have had a great halftime talk as they came out on fire.  One of their best chances of the match came in the 47th minute as Oscar Cardozo sent in a drive on the goal that was blocked off the line by David Luiz.  The Benfica players shouted for handball, but Luiz had kept his hands firmly to his side as to not concede the PK.

Chelsea finally hit pay dirt in the 75th minute.  Ramires, playing against his former club, triggered a counter attack down the Chelsea right hand side.  The ball ended up at the feet of Torres, who sent a great cross into the six.  Saloman Kalou came streaking in unmarked and tapped the ball into the net to give the Blues the 0-1 lead and the all important away goal.

Benfica pushed for an equalizer in the last 15 minutes, but they never really seemed to threaten.  They looked to pretty much be out of ideas as to how to unlock the Chelsea defense, which stood firm.  In the end, Roberto Di Matteo's men held on to the 0-1 win and will take a good edge back to Stamford Bridge next week.