Tuesday’s meeting at the Camp Nou between Barcelona and Benfica was wet and cold. You could certainly say the same for the way the match ended as well.

Going into the fifth matchday, Benfica knew that at the very least, they couldn’t lose. A win would put them in control of their fate, while a defeat on Spanish soil would end their Champions League aspirations.

Jorge Jesus opted to start André Almeida in the back three alongside Otamendi, which surprised many. Probably the biggest surprise of all may have been seeing Yaremchuk in the starting XI, given his inability to find the back of the net recently.

As was expected, Barcelona came out with a high press, looking to grab that early goal that would settle some nerves.

Xavi’s men knew that a win would settle things, and a matchday six encounter with Bayern Munich would be less stressful.

For the first 20 or so minutes, it was one-way traffic with the Catalans just absolutely suffocating Benfica in possession.

Yet despite that dominance, one could argue that Benfica had the most clear-cut chance in the first half.

Yaremchuk’s powerful header in the 33rd minute from Everton’s corner happened to go right at ter Stegen. If that goes either side of the German keeper, it certainly puts the visitors up 0-1.

Benfica grew into the match after weathering the early storm from the hosts. They started to impose themselves with the ball, and from a physical aspect.

The second half was a more divided battle.

Barcelona had two chances through Depay and Dembele, only to be stopped in their tracks by Otamendi. The Argentinian international put in a performance that, truthfully, I can’t recall anything similar in recent times from a Benfica central defender.

He was an absolute gladiator at the back, which earned him the man of the match award.

Apart from those two, which didn’t result in a shot on target, Frankie de Jong beat André Almeida to a header in the 67th minute, but Odysseas responded well and knocked it away for a corner.

The hosts poured forward, trying to get that goal that would confirm their presence in the knockout stage, and they left themselves exposed to the counterattack.

Stoppage time, Darwin serves Seferovic with the ball to come away with all three points…

POSITIVE VIBES ONLY

There were a few here, but I will try to be straight to the point and concise.

✅ Otamendi | Naturally, he’s the most positive aspect of the match. It goes far beyond footballing capabilities or skill. When things get difficult, you need to roll up your sleeves and get things done.

Nico gets stuck into a challenge, he tracks back, hell, he even carried the ball up the field, but Darwin couldn’t control his pass at the edge of the box.

I know many questioned his signing, even his appointment of captain, but if there was a performance that displayed his value and commitment, that was it.

An absolute GLADIATOR!

✅ Grimaldo | Here is another player that has been questioned at times, and rightfully so. He’s a left-back that is defensively lacking, but with the new system implemented by Jorge Jesus, the La Masia graduate has been able to show off his offensive capabilities.

Tuesday evening, defensively, I thought he had a decent performance. Going forward, he was a solution for Benfica in many situations where they seemed out of ideas.

On various occasions, the Spaniard carried the ball forward, helping break some pressure and helping Benfica keep the ball.

With the introduction of Lazaro in the 69th minute, Jorge Jesus pushed Gri up the pitch. Even then, on a wet and heavy pitch, he helped to close down Dembele and looked to get forward every chance he had.

Over the last month or so, he’s started to gain some form and consistency. Hopefully, that goal against Paços de Ferreira can bring out the best of him, as there are some critical fixtures on the horizon.

✅ No Fear | In the 80th minute, Jorge Jesus brought on Seferovic, taking of Grimaldo, who was playing a more advanced position. The strategy was clearly to weather the storm, and then as the team grew into the match, look to hopefully take advantage of a Barcelona side chasing the win with their mind on matchday six.

The plan worked well, and with 10 minutes remaining, JJ took a gamble, and truth be told, it should have paid off.

He went for it when many criticize him for being conservative or playing for a draw. I’d say that I agree with the game plan, maybe I’d question Yaremchuk’s start, but I think I can understand it to an extent.

If only Seferovic had been a bit calmer at that moment, we’d be here celebrating three massive points instead of a draw that, in a way, feels like a defeat.

NOW, LET’S BE SERIOUS

There were a few frustrating moments, and even some players who couldn’t get into the match, but there’s one clear and obvious negative for me.

⚠️ Don’t Be A Bully | Listen, I’m sure the reaction after seeing Seferovic miss that golden opportunity was similar for most, if not all, Benfiquistas. Was it frustrating? Yes. Are we upset and angry? Yes.

I’m sure there are even a few more adjectives we could use to explain how we are feeling, but there certainly isn’t anyone on this planet that feels worst than Seferovic himself.

We absolutely cannot allow this to turn into a situation where fans are all over his social media platforms. I get it, it wasn’t pleasant, but if there’s a time where he needs the fans to stand behind him, it’s now.

Did we not learn anything from the Everton situation most recently?

As fans, we are quick to lift players when they are on a high, but as soon as things go south, we immediately bury them.

Let’s hope that Sef can put that behind him, although it won’t be easy, and find the back of the net sooner rather than later.

What would you consider your positive, and let’s be honest moment of this match? Be sure to share them in the comments.