Blackburn Rovers 3-2 Benfica (and 7-6 on pens?) W/ highlights

By: Jimmy | July 25th, 2008

Tonight Rovers beat S.L. Benfica; 31 time Portuguese Liga Champions and regular in the Champions League. The game was highlighted by great performances by Brett Emerton and Morten Gamst Pederson.

Brett Emo played on the right wing tonight. Right off the bat lets get one thing straight; I was just as scared as you were after hearing this news. However, tonight it appeared as if he, as well as the rest of Rovers, were not gonna miss a beat. Gamst Pederson (I say both cause no name was on the shirt tonight) showed a form that we had not seen last term and scored on a cracker of a free kick. With the squad we played tonight we didn’t really appear to be lacking the influence of any particular outfield players. Everywhere, especially the right side, looked good.

Read the rest of the pseudo match report and see the highlights after the jump.

ANother look I’ve been saying for a while, and I’m not sure if I have ever posted this opinion, but I have been saying it:
•The only reason Gamst had an off year and was so poor in form last season is because the way Bentley played made Peds stay hugged on the left wing cutting down on his roaming and freedom which affected and restricted his free flowing game play style. Also, Peds should be taking our free kicks. There I said it.

The game was played in a rather quick and high pace, with Rovers looking the better side for the majority of the fixture. The last 8 or so minutes gave me a scare as we clearly looked like we were our last back foot, and starting to slip. But we held, had some great link ups, shots, and an overall good outing. Plus we beat Benfica; no small achievement. Then we had a PK shootout? I don’t know, maybe for practice, maybe as a tie break in this mini tourney we’re in; whatever the reason: We dominated that too. Peds again firing it strong home and even the Admiral had a go, taking charge and burying one. Jason Brown saving Benfica’s 7th attempt gave us the win and showed that he can save two out of every 8 PKs. I’m just going to post the Rover highlights, but you can find the rest on the same website if you’re really that curious about how Benfica scored.

Exciting times for Incey’s men. Up the Rovers!!!