Benfica held by Bologna in fiery tie with 10 bookings
Benfica missed an opportunity to move closer to the automatic qualifying spots in the Champions League after a goalless draw with Bologna.
Striker Vangelis Pavlidis thought he had netted the opener for the hosts in a frantic start - but his beautifully dinked finish over Bologna keeper Lukasz Skorupski was ruled out for offside.
Moments later, the Serie A side raced up the other end with Thijs Dallinga but Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin snuffed out the attack.
Greece international Pavlidis was given another golden chance to open the scoring in the 65th minute but Skorupski pulled off a remarkable save from close range.
With Benfica pushing forward, Angel Di Maria's strike from inside the box looked destined for the bottom corner but Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson brilliantly blocked.
At the other end, Dallinga came close again in the second period but his effort was straight at Trubin from a tight angle.
Ten yellow cards were issued by referee Radu Petrescu in a fiery tie in Lisbon with Benfica's Orkun Kokcu fortunate to escape a second booking.
Benfica - who could have risen to 11th - sit 15th in the league-phase table with 10 points, while Bologna are 33rd and remain one of four teams without a win.
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