Fenerbahce 0-0 Benfica - Florentino sent off as the Eagles hold on in the Champions League qualifiers | OneFootball

Benfica survived a tough test in Turkey where they earned a 0-0 draw against Fenerbahce in the Champions League play-off first leg.

Richard Ríos fired an early warning shot at José Mourinho’s side but that was as close as the Eagles came to scoring in Istanbul.

Fenerbahce got on top before the break and played against 10 men from the 71st minute when Florentino was sent off for a second booking.

Anatoliy Trubin was fortunate to avoid an embarrassing goal when Youssef En-Nesyri was ruled offside, Benfica surely satisfied with a clean sheet and a draw before hosting the second leg next week.

Fenerbahce 0-0 Benfica

Richard Ríos tested Irfan Can Egribayat early on at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium but it was not a sign of things to come, the contest characterised by aggression and fouls rather than free flowing football.

Bruno Lage handed Kerem Akturkoglu his first start of the season, most likely with one eye on putting the winger front and centre in the shop window. The winger saw his free kick tipped over the bar by Anatoliy Trubin.

José Mourinho’s side ended the first half strong with Youssef En-Nesyri heading Nélson Semedo’s cross at Trubin and Jayden Oosterwolde testing the goalkeeper with a long range drive.

Bruno Lage brought Franjo Ivanovic on for Enzo Barrenechea in the 64th minute and José Mourinho immediately introduced Talisca for Jhon Durán.

Florentino was booked for a late shot on Sebastian Szymanski and saw red two minutes later. It came after a silly and cynical foul, the midfielder dragging down Talisca with referee Daniel Siebert showing no hesitation in producing a second yellow.

Trubin breathed a big sigh of relief not long after when he spilled Talisca’s shot onto the bar and En-Nesyri headed the rebound into the net, the striker narrowly offside in the build up.

Irfan Can Kahveci’s shot was headed wide by António Silva as the Portuguese club held on, more than happy to escape unbeaten before the second leg in Lisbon next week.

Lage makes two changes

Bruno Lage had selected the same starting side for three straight games but decided to make two switches in Turkey. He brought Kerem Akturkoglu in for Franjo Ivanovic, the Turk trying hard to impress at the club that have been trying to secure his signature this summer.

Florentino Luís came in for Andreas Schjelderup to make it three central midfielders on the pitch, Richard Ríos given more freedom to get forward and join in attacks. The Colombian fired an early warning shot but seems to spend more time falling over and arguing with referees than showcasing his skills.

It was never going to be an easy game in Istanbul where Fenerbahce came from two goals down in the third round, beating Feyenoord 5-2 in the second leg to earn a spot in the play-offs. Fred and Sofyan Amrabat are a strong midfield pairing with Jhon Durán and Youssef En-Nesyri more than capable of finding the net.

Estádio da Luz will be bouncing next week with a spot in the Champions League on the line. Talisca could be fit enough to start in Lisbon and it would be no surprise if he plays a leading role against his former club.