MX23RW : Sunday, January 5 04:14:57| >> :60:2323:2323:

Artur "cannot explain" defeat

Artur
© AP Photos
Artur is unable to see how Benfica managed to lose against Chelsea in the Europa League final.

Benfica goalkeeper Artur has admitted that he cannot believe his side lost to Chelsea in Wednesday night's Europa League final.

Artur said that he was surprised with the way Benfica managed to control the game, but admitted that his side were less "clinical" than their English opponents.

"We are very sad," he told UEFA.com. "We did everything we could to win and I cannot explain how we lost because everything we needed to do, we did.

"This is a group with a lot of merit. We deservedly made this stage of the competition and we showed to the world what Benfica are about. We showed that Benfica are now ready to start winning.

"We were expecting Chelsea to hit us on the counterattack, but we had total control, we were better, playing some beautiful football. We had chances but unfortunately, like last season against them, the cagey but clinical team came out on top."

Branislav Ivanovic won the game for Chelsea with a stoppage-time header.

ID:84627: cacheID:84627:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2040:
Written by
Matt Domm
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic is mobbed by team mates after scoring the late winner against Benfica on May 15, 2013
Read Next:
Live Commentary: Benfica 1-2 Chelsea - as it happened
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham197842825329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!