MX23RW : Monday, April 15 21:08:17| >> :600:313252:313252:
Apr 11, 2019 at 8pm UK at ​Estádio da Luz
Benfica
4-2
FrankfurtEintracht Frankfurt
Felix (21' pen., 43', 54'), Dias (50')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Jovic (40'), Paciencia (72')
N'Dicka (20')

Bruno Lage delighted with 'perfect' Joao Felix-inspired win over Frankfurt

Bruno Lage delighted with 'perfect' win over Frankfurt
© Reuters
Portuguese club will take a two-goal advantage into next week's return encounter.

Benfica coach Bruno Lage has urged another "high level" performance from his team when they take a 4-2 lead into next week's Europa League quarter-final second leg clash against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Joao Felix scored a hat-trick, with the 19-year-old striker delivering a memorable display in Lisbon as the Portuguese club established a commanding advantage.

He became the youngest player in Europa League history to net a treble, while Ruben Dias also scored for the hosts.

"The result serves me perfectly," Lage told www.uefa.com.

"We go forward with a two-goal advantage. Even at 4-1, the tie would be open. All teams are difficult. We have another 90 minutes where we have to be at a high level."

Dias added: "Above all, it was an important victory.

"We could have made it 5-1 and had an even bigger advantage, but it was a good result and it was important to score early and be able to play against 10 men.

"It's all open – we just played the first part today."

The visitors had defender Evan N'Dicka sent off by English referee Anthony Taylor for a foul after 21 minutes.

Luka Jovic had equalised Felix's opener, and Frankfurt did not fall completely away, with substitute Goncalo Paciencia's late goal giving them a glimmer of hope.

Despite the defeat, Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp praised "a strong performance" by the German club.

"The result isn't really a fair reflection of the game," he told DAZN.

"We actually produced a really good performance, but we've conceded too often.

"We played well, though, and can't forget we were a man down for much of it and we still managed to produce a real threat in front of goal.

"Tonight, we have the right to be disappointed, but next week we have to turn a new leaf.

"We could have let our heads drop at 4-1, but we persevered and hopefully a 4-2 loss will be enough, come the end of the second leg.

"We've got to stay positive, analyse what went wrong and quickly put it behind us. We did a lot of things really well tonight, and the second leg is still to be played."


Click here for more stories about Bruno Lage

Click here for more stories about Benfica

Share this article now:
Luka Jovic in action for Eintracht Frankfurt on October 4, 2018
Read Next:
Chelsea 'leading United in race for Jovic'
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool34267177205785
2Manchester CityMan City33272486226483
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs332211064343067
4Arsenal33206766402666
5Chelsea34206857362166
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33197763441964
7Leicester CityLeicester34145154645147
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33138124142-147
9Everton34137144644246
10Watford33137134748-146
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham34126164252-1042
12Bournemouth34125174961-1241
13Crystal Palace34116174046-639
14Burnley34116174260-1839
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle34108163243-1138
16Southampton3399153954-1536
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3296173251-1933
18Cardiff CityCardiff3384212863-3528
RFulham3455243276-4420
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3435261967-4814

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account