Dicky Quaresma Sticks It Late, Benfica Still Firing Blanks

By: Greg | October 4th, 2007

aquar Beşiktaş 0 - 1 Porto – Ricardo Quaresma can play for my team any day. After a tepid first half by Porto which saw brief runs forward by Quaresma, the game’s tempo came to a lull and a small smattering of chances among the long periods of relative inaction made it appear as though Porto would survive their Turkish trip and take home at least one point to remain in the hunt to finish top of the group. However, this was not to be, and on the 92nd minute, Lucho put Quaresma through to just inside the six yard box. Quarsema took the ball down on his thigh and slotted it home underneath Besiktas keeper Arikan (for proof that I’m not lying, see YouTubaloo below). Taking these three points proves even more crucial now that Liverpool (the supposed favorite to win the group) fell victim to a historical home setback in losing to French side Olympique Marseille. As a result, Marseille are top of the table with two wins and six points. Porto come second (because the lady always is taken care of first) on four points followed by Liverpool on one point and Beşiktaş in last with zero. That Porto are in second and Besiktas in last is no surprise. However, after Marseille’s less than stellar start to their domestic season and Liverpool’s addition of Fernando Torres to go along with its history of success in Europe, I don’t think anyone could have predicted after 1/3 of the games that we’d see a French icing on this group’s cake.

Benfica 0 - 1 Шахтар Донецьк — A game full of life much like the Sporting game in the way that sloppy defensive play made penetration and creating chances that much easier. Benfica can take no solace in the fact that Shakhtar Donetsk are currently the group leaders. This is a game that a supposedly superior home side should take three points from, exchange shirts, and then happily shower together (take that as you may) afterwards. However, Benfica looked like they were a college team playing against the New York Cosmos. For some odd reason Benfica seemed overmatched in just about every aspect of the game. They had sloppy communication and organization in the back which led to a few chances, including the Ukranian side’s winner. Benfica are frustrating the shit out of me right now and I’m not even a supporter (so I can imagine how Benfiquistas are taking the team’s current run). With Celtic at home next, anything less than 3 points probably means a complete crash out of Europe what with Shakhtar Donetsk top of the table on 6 and Celtic and Milan on 3 each.

The rest of the Portuguese sides are in action in the second leg of the round of four million for the UEFA Cup. Belenenses, U.d.Leiria, Braga, and Paços de Rabanne all lost their first matches and obviously face uphill battles in the next leg. Until one of these teams advances I refuse to give any more lip service to a tournament which is still in the wide open stages. Enjoy your day. Kisses for all and to all a good night. Oh and if you’re wondering who the hell the guy is in the upper left hand corner, he’s Antonio Quaresma of Columbian Chemicals. I found him when doing an image search for Ricardo Quaresma pictures and since Antonio’s clearly the more handsome of the two brothers, I decided to do you ladies a favor and give you some real eye candy today. You’re welcome.