Benfica Rise, Juventus Respond as European Momentum Shifts in Lisbon and Turin
Juventus and Benfica used Matchday 6 to reclaim momentum in Europe, each producing composed, disciplined performances to seal vital victories over Pafos and Napoli. On a night defined by control rather than chaos, both sides reminded the continent that their seasons still carry real promise.
On a decisive Champions League night, Juventus and Benfica delivered the exact responses their supporters have been craving. It was not the flair that defined their victories, but a hard edged sense of purpose. In Turin, Juventus ground down a spirited Pafos side before punching through with second half authority. In Lisbon, Benfica used tempo, craft and controlled aggression to outthink and outwork a Napoli team that never rediscovered the rhythm they carried into this round.
Juventus began with heavy pressure and fast combinations, but Pafos refused to fold early. The visitors carved out chances of their own, forcing Di Gregorio into action on several occasions as Anderson Silva, Correia and Dragomir threatened on the break. The first half ended goalless, but the tempo never dipped. Juventus kept piling forward through Yildiz, Miretti and Locatelli, while Pafos carried danger from wide areas.
The breakthrough finally came in the 67th minute. After sustained pressure from the hosts, Cambiaso released McKennie in a pocket of space and the American thundered a rising finish into the roof of the net. The Allianz Stadium erupted, and from that point Juventus played with greater freedom. Five minutes later, the move of the match sealed the result. Conceicao burst away on the counter, fed Yildiz, and the young Turkish playmaker squared for Jonathan David who made no mistake from close range. Pafos fought to the end, even producing late chances through Quina, Bassouamina and Jaja, but Juventus were unmoved. A 2-0 win, anchored by 2.56 expected goals, pushed the Bianconeri upward in the standings and reminded the competition that their season is far from settled.
In Lisbon, Benfica showed the sharp edge they have been missing for long spells of this European campaign. From the first whistle they pressed Napoli with precision and intent. Ivanovic, Aursnes and Sudakov combined repeatedly to force pressure in the wide channels, while the double pivot of Barrenechea and Rios dictated the rhythm. After several missed opportunities, the hosts finally struck in the 20th minute when a loose ball fell kindly for Rios, who poked home the opener from close range.
Napoli, missing several key players, struggled to impose themselves. Their buildup play lacked bite, and Benfica punished every moment of hesitation. The second half had barely settled when the Portuguese giants doubled their lead. Ivanovic drifted wide, Rios burst through the middle, and his low delivery was met by a brilliant flick from Barreiro to make it 2-0. From there, Benfica absorbed pressure, countered with intelligence, and starved Napoli of controlled possession. Conte’s men managed only two shots on target and an expected goals tally of 0.69, a clear sign of how little joy they found against Mourinho’s disciplined block.
Benfica could have added a third through Pavlidis late on, while Napoli saw half chances fall to Elmas, McTominay and Politano without reward. The hosts closed out the match with authority, earning a result that not only lifts them in the standings but also stabilises a campaign that had been drifting.
Together, these two matches carried a shared theme. Juventus and Benfica did not simply win; they imposed themselves, controlled tempo, and shaped the terms of the contest from start to finish. As the Champions League edges toward its defining stages, both clubs have planted markers that they intend to be part of the story deep into the new year.
