Benfica has managed to deal with Olympique Marseille at home. The team from Lisbon won 2-1 in Estádio da Luz against the French, who had nothing to show for it for a long time. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still gave Marseille a hopeful starting position, after Rafa Silva and Ángel Di María had already scored on behalf of Benfica.

Trainer Roger Schmidt started Orkun Kökçü on the bench. The former Feyenoord captain saw João Neves and Florentino preferred as controlling midfielders. Rafa Silva was the number 10 and had to reach striker Casper Tengstedt. Top scorer Aubameyang was of course in the starting line-up for Marseille. The Gabonese formed the attack with Faris Moumbagna and Amine Harit.

Benfica took the lead after fifteen minutes of play. Tengstedt passed to Rafa Silva, who looked up and found an opening in the short corner: 1-0. An excellent start for Benfica, which had little to fear from Marseille and remained the superior team even after the goal. However, the desired great opportunities did not materialize for some time as Águiasdespite threatening moments from João Neves and ex-Feyenoorder Fredrik Aursnes.

Five minutes before half-time, that great chance came and David Neres failed to score the second Portuguese goal. A free kick from Di María ended up at the feet of the Brazilian, who had all the time and space to get a good shot. However, that was disappointing: the ex-Ajax player pushed the ball wide with the inside of his foot.

Benfica was also the significantly better team after the break. After Di María first shot high, moments later the Argentinian club legend of the Portuguese top club scored. Di María received a tailor-made ball from Neres and finished with his favorite left leg into the far corner. His shot was slightly touched, but that was not enough for Marseille to see the ball go wide: 2-0.

L'OM was disappointing and it didn't get much further than a fairly hopeless shot from Iliman Ndiaye at first. Aubameyang therefore decided to do it himself and with success. The Gabonese took advantage of dramatic defensive work from António Silva and found the far corner with the inside right: 2-1. It was Aubameyang's tenth goal in the Europa League this season. Marseille would not come any closer, although top scorer Aubameyang's goal offers sufficient perspective for the return.

More sports news