Jesus rues narrow defeat

24 October 2012 02:57

Jorge Jesus believes Benfica did enough to earn a point and was disappointed to lose 2-1 away to Spartak Moscow on Tuesday.

An own goal from Jardel was enough to gift victory to the home side at the Luzhniki Stadium, and despite their best efforts in the second half, Benfica could not find the clinical touch to convert their chances.

Instead of bemoaning his side's performance however, Jesus sympathised with his players, and felt the venue's artificial pitch was hard for his side to adapt to.

"It would have been important to get a point. We played well enough to deserve one," he said.

"But Spartak surprised us, and also the fact this is an artificial pitch (influenced proceedings). We struggled to adapt but we put that right.

"We dominated in the second half and had several chances, but could not score.

"Still, we deserved to leave with a point. Now we have to win both games at home and I think if we do that we can get there (the knockout stages). We have every chance of winning them."

The defeat leaves Benfica bottom of Group G with just one point to show from three matches played in the competition.