By Ian Simpson

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

LISBON, Mar 29 (Reuters) Benfica expect a another Barcelona onslaught in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Nou Camp next week.

Favourites Barcelona had Benfica at their mercy in the first leg in Lisbon last night but let them off the hook with some poor finishing.

''In the second game we're going to do the same thing, fight until the last minute. Barcelona will have to attack and it will be a game more or less like this one,'' Benfica coach Ronald Koeman said.

''We have to give up less space and get the ball more. We have to show the level of play we had here in the second half,'' he told reporters.

''Barcelona are a great team and showed it here. With this result everything is wide open, although playing away it's going to be more complicated.'' Barcelona missed three good chances to score in the first half, when they were on top, and could have scored again in a more evenly contested second period in which Benfica also came close to an upset.

Benfica defender Ricardo Rocha earned praise from Ronaldinho for keeping a tight rein on him although Barcelona's brilliant Brazilian still managed to set up both Deco and Samuel Eto'o for good chances the pair squandered.

''Ricardo Rocha was very good, I wasn't able to play my game or serve up my colleagues the assists I'm used to,'' Ronaldinho told reporters.

BARCA STUNNED The Barca players were stunned by the result and Ronaldinho said: ''We always go out to score goals but I can't explain how we didn't score today.

''But in front of our own fans, and with the confidence and motivation we have in the side I am sure we will progress,'' he said looking ahead to next Wednesday's return leg.

Barcelona had to thank lady luck in the end for not having a penalty awarded against them for handball by Thiago Motta, a midfielder filling in at centre back.

''It could have been a penalty. But the referee is the one who has to judge and he thought that Motta acted involuntarily,'' Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said.

While the failure to score dominated most Barca players' thoughts, Brazilian defender Juliano Belletti preferred to talk up the positives and the work of a make-shift defence.

Barcelona were without suspended captain Carles Puyol and the injured Rafael Marquez and Edmilson.

''We know we can do better at home, but the most important thing from today was that we didn't concede a goal,'' he said.

REUTHERS DH BST1820

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