Portuguese club Benfica recorded unprecedented offensive statistics and high pressure in a recent UEFA Champions League match against Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen, despite ultimately failing to secure a victory.
Benfica fired off 21 shots during the game, marking a new club record in the Champions League and surpassing their previous high by seven attempts. Six of these shots were on target, doubling their best previous tally in the competition.
The Lisbon-based team also demonstrated significant attacking presence, registering 46 actions with the ball inside Bayer Leverkusen’s penalty area. This figure represented a new historical maximum for Benfica in the tournament.
Defensive intensity mirrored their offensive push. Benfica players executed 18 defensive actions in the opponent’s half, setting another club record. They also maintained 73 percent possession in the final third of the pitch.
Despite these efforts, Bayer Leverkusen proved more effective in individual contests. The German side won 56 duels, their highest tally in the competition, while restricting Benfica to 48 successful duels.
Amid the defeat, midfielder Richard Ríos emerged as a standout performer for Benfica. The Colombian player delivered five passes that led to a shot, created one clear scoring opportunity, and made four interceptions.