Why Florentino Luis was branded "crazy" after seeing red in Benfica's UEFA Champions League play-off against Fenerbahce - Clear as day'

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The first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off between Fenerbahce and Benfica ended in a goalless draw on Wednesday night. Benfica had to play the final 20 minutes of the game in Istanbul with 10 men after midfielder Florentino Luis was sent off. TNT Sports pundit Mark Schwarzer said his actions were "crazy". The second leg in Portugal next week will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Benfica's Florentina sent off for 'crazy' second yellow against Fenerbahçe

Video credit: TNT Sports

Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis was branded "crazy" after being sent off in the first leg of his team's UEFA Champions League play-off tie against Fenerbahce.

The Portuguese was booked in the second half two minutes before he cynically fouled Brazilian Anderson Talisca right under the nose of referee Daniel Siebert.

Benfica then had to play more than 20 minutes with 10 men, but the Lisbon giants managed to hold out as the game finished in a goalless draw.

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The second leg in Portugal next Wednesday evening will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Former Middlesbrough and Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, covering the match as a pundit for TNT Sports, was pretty clear in his assessment of Florentino's actions.

"Yeah crazy, absolutely crazy from Florentino there. Obviously he just switches off," Schwarzer said.

Highlights: Fenerbahce frustrated as 10-man Benfica claim precious draw

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I mean he's just got that yellow card and the referee has no other option other than to give him his second yellow card. Now for Benfica, it will be backs to the wall."

Commentator Steve Wilson pointed out that Siebert could hardly have had a better view of the incident.

"Well, he couldn't have been more under referee Daniel Siebert's nose than that. It's clear as day and the outcome was absolutely inevitable," Wilson said.

"He tried to trip him and then he pulled him off. It's a second yellow card all day long and Benfica will play the rest of this game with 10."

Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce certainly had their chances to break the deadlock, and Youssef En-Nesyri had a goal disallowed when he was ruled to be offside when heading home.

But it will be all to play for when the teams meet again, with a prized place in the league phase of the Champions League up for grabs in Lisbon next Wednesday.

Stream the Premier League, Serie A, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

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