Jhon Duran Praises Vangelis Pavlidis After Benfica Thrash Celtic
Jhon Duran scored twice as Benfica secured an emphatic 4-1 victory over Celtic in the second matchday of the UEFA Europa League. The Colombian forward was delighted with his performance but also took the opportunity to praise strike partner Vangelis Pavlidis for his contribution to the team’s success.
The match at the Estadio da Luz saw Benfica produce an impressive attacking display to maintain their winning start in Europe’s secondary club competition. Duran’s brace was complemented by goals from Alexander Bah and Pavlidis, while Celtic could only manage a consolation through Camilo Duran.
The result provided another boost for Marco Silva’s side, who demonstrated their attacking quality by repeatedly breaking through Celtic’s defensive structure. Benfica’s ability to convert their opportunities proved decisive, allowing the hosts to secure all three points without losing control of the contest.
Duran was particularly pleased to find the net twice, admitting that the goals had given him an additional boost in confidence. The former Aston Villa forward also highlighted the importance of his partnership with Pavlidis, whose movement and willingness to contribute to the team’s attacking play have made him a valuable teammate.
“It was a great win for us, and I am continuing to work hard. These two goals give me confidence, and playing alongside Pavlidis is great because he can score goals and help his teammates,” Duran said, as reported by Goal International.
Benfica head coach Marco Silva was equally satisfied with his players’ performance, particularly their approach in the first half. The Portuguese manager praised the team’s attacking intent and their ability to make a difficult fixture appear relatively straightforward by consistently putting pressure on Celtic’s defence.
Silva believes Benfica produced close to their best football during the encounter, although he also identified an area that needs improvement. The coach wants his players to exercise greater control when leading matches, ensuring they manage possession and the tempo rather than allowing opponents opportunities to regain momentum.
The victory leaves Benfica third in the Europa League standings with six points from their opening two matches. They sit behind Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, who hold the top two positions on goal difference, keeping the Portuguese side firmly in contention as the league phase progresses.
Benfica will now turn their attention to domestic competition, with Santa Clara awaiting them in the ninth round of the Primeira Liga on October 27. Duran and Pavlidis will hope to carry their European understanding into the next fixture as Silva looks to maintain the team’s momentum across both competitions.
For Benfica, the victory over Celtic was another demonstration of their attacking potential. Duran’s goalscoring form and his growing partnership with Pavlidis could prove valuable assets as the season develops, while Silva will be keen to ensure that the team’s attacking ambition is matched by greater control in the closing stages of future matches.
