Rui Vitoria admitted that Borussia Dortmund had the better of play against his Benfica side as the hosts held on for a "tasty" 1-0 first-leg win in their Champions League last-16 tie.
Benfica's winning margin came from a Kostas Mitroglou tap in following a corner kick -- the Portuguese Liga leaders' only shot on goal in the match -- and a stellar showing in goal from Brazilian keeper Ederson.
Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang spurned three easy chances, including one from the penalty spot, leaving Thomas Tuchel's team with work to do in the return leg if they are to reach the quarterfinals of the competition.
Speaking after the match, Vitoria said: "To play with these teams, we have to have the ability of suffering on the edge. We ended up scoring a goal from a situation on which we have worked.
"It was a tasty victory for sure. The players were relentless and we achieved an important result because it was essential not to concede goals.
"Speaking of justice after a game like this is tricky. I agree that Dortmund is a strong opponent and that they had the best of this game.
"We had some difficulties on the way out to the attack, but we know what we have to do in the second leg. Scoring a goal will have a huge impact."
Ederson could make a case for man of the match after twice staring down Aubameyang from close range and then producing a stellar save on a Christian Pulisic volley that took a wicked deflection as the game neared full-time.
But the Benfica shot-stopper preferred to credit his teammates for the hard-fought victory: "We were anticipating an open game and that was confirmed. I pulled off several good saves but I don't think I was the hero.
"The whole team was, and that was one of the keys for our success."