Bruised Benfica begin clean-up operation

SL Benfica sporting director Rui Costa begged for supporters' forgiveness after a 5-1 defeat at Olympiacos CFP left the Portuguese club facing an early UEFA Cup exit, saying: "There are no excuses for this result and we have to apologise."

Piraeus rout
The 36-year-old former playmaker looked on in horror as Quique Sánchez Flores' side were taken apart in Piraeus, with the result leaving them bottom of Group B with just one point from three fixtures. "It was a strange game," said Rui Costa. "We conceded a goal in the first minute and then controlled the match in the midfield, but every time they came near our goal they scored. However, there are no excuses for this result and we have to apologise."

Damage limitation
Rui Costa has been a model of discretion since taking on his post in the summer, and hoped that humiliation in Greece would not put his side off their stride. "We are going to lift our heads and respond," he said. "Of course we have to learn something from this match but we will not undo all the good work we have done since the beginning of the season. The season does not end here as we will continue to pursue our main goal, the Portuguese Liga."

'We have to respond'
Spanish coach Sánchez Flores also looked to dismiss the result as a one-off. "I want to apologise to all of our supporters," said the former Valencia CF boss. "This is not the kind of image of the club that we want to present. When you let in a goal in the first minute and you are losing 3-0 by the 24th minute, something is wrong. We've made life easy for our opponents. However, this was an accident and we have to respond and learn from what happened."

Point adrift
In Portugal, Benfica are a point adrift of shock Liga leaders SC Leixões after nine games as they bid for their first title since 2004/05, and midfielder Ruben Amorim hoped the Olympiacos result would not disturb their domestic form, though it almost certainly marked the end of their UEFA Cup Round of 32 hopes. "We should not forget this result or repeat it," he said. "It was a very difficult game but I am sure that we will not be affected. We are doing well in the league and we will continue to work to get the good results."