Benfica’s youth ended on Monday under the curse of Bela Guttman, albeit on a small scale, by winning the Youth League with a real showing against Salzburg (0-6). Guttman prophesied in 1962, when he stopped being Benfica’s coach, that the Lisbon team would never again be champions in Europe.
Eleven lost the European finals between the first team and the youth team that dominated Benfica until May 25 since 1962. In addition to ending, even on a small scale, in Guttman’s curse, the young Benfica took revenge on Salzburg, who defeated him. in the 2017 Youth League final and who he defeated.
Benfica (Youth League champions for the first time) faced the Austrian team in a real shower of football and goals. The Lisbon side, led by Luis Castro, got the game back on track in the second minute, when Martim Neto scored, assisted by Diego Moreira after a cross from N’Dour.
One of the great stars in the final was Henrique Araújo, author of a ‘hat trick’: he scored his goals in the 15th minute, in the 57th minute (a great goal, including a cut , after the action of Diego Moreiras) and in 89 ‘(punishment inflicted by Ibertsberger on Hugo Félix, brother of Joao Félez). The other ‘targets’ were the work of N’Dour (53 ’, after Pedro Santos’ cross) and Luis Semedo (69 ’, after Pedro Santos’ own play).
The result, this 0-6, doubles the biggest win in a Youth League final (so far the mark is held by Barcelona with 3-0, against Benfica (2013-14) and against Chelsea, 2017-18) . Benfica, who have lost three Youth League finals, have been proclaimed champions thanks to a great team game, vertical football and great quality.
Source: La Verdad
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