Benfica Hold On With 10 Men At PSV To Reach Champions League "Objective"

Benfica captain Nicolas Otamendi said reaching the Champions League group stage was an "objective" after the two-time winners held onto a goalless draw in Tuesday's second-leg at Eindhoven

Benfica captain Nicolas Otamendi said reaching the Champions League group stage was an "objective" after the two-time winners held onto a goalless draw in Tuesday's second-leg at Eindhoven, despite playing the final hour with 10-man. The Portuguese side defended superbly following Lucas Verissimo's red card after winning the first leg 2-1 last week. "The truth is that at the start we had chances against us. Then we were more solid," Otamendi told RMC Sport. "We're growing a solid squad and we'll need it as we'll be in a lot of competitions. "We've just fulfilled the first objective. Now we'll rest and be ready for the competition," he added. PSV coach Roger Schmidt made six changes from Saturday's 4-1 league win over Cambuur as Ivory Coast's Ibrahim Sangare replaced of the injured Davey Propper in midfield. Schmidt's counterpart Jorge Jesus rewarded left-back Alejandro Grimaldo with a starting berth after he scored in the weekend's victory at Gil Vicente. A tight opening half an hour was sparked into life by Verissimo's red card.