Benfica coach Jorge Jesus was left frustrated after failing to seal a vital win over a ‘high quality’ Arsenal side during their Europa League last 32 clash on Thursday, as he told SIC Noticias.
In the eyes of a neutral observer, you’d think Jesus would actually be quite happy with a 1-1 draw.
After all, Arsenal dominated for long, long spells against the Portuguese giants and, if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had not left his shooting boots back home in North London, the tie would probably be over already.
The Gunners skipper missed a host of presentable opportunities, including a first-half sitter from just a few yards out.
And while Bukayo Saka did manage to cancel out Pizzi’s controversial penalty, tapping home after fine approach play from Martin Odegaard and Cedric Soares, Arsenal will certainly feel that their performance deserved more.
So we are not quite sure where Jorge Jesus is coming from when he suggests that lady luck was arm in arm with Arsenal last night.
“Arsenal are a great team, with high quality players. It’s not a great result – that would have been beating Arsenal. It was a pity,” said the flamboyant Benfica boss.
“We scored first and, in our best period, we conceded a goal. The team is not in luck. The team was very strong defensively, very well organized, collectively did very well and understood the movements and way of playing this Arsenal team.
“Arsenal had more possession but we allowed that.
“Football has moments that have nothing to do with logic. In the second half we were better than in the first and, after the first goal, we could and should have held the lead.”
The two sides will renew acquaintances next week at Olympiakos’s Karaiskakis Stadium with COVID restrictions making the Emirates a no-go zone.
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