Leiria 1 - Benfica 2

It wasn't pretty, but the most important thing were the 3 points. While the team continues to come together and find an identity, it is very important to not loose any more points to the leaders, Porto.
Camacho had one surprise for the starting 11, Binya and Katsouranis in the middle at the same time, as well as 2 forwards. Di Maria sat the bench, in an unexpected move. Maxi played right back but pretty much did the whole right flank with the periodical help of Katsouranis. Benfica suffered a goal 1.50 mins into the game but managed to bring things level 14 minutes later, with a goal by Nuno Gomes, who also scored the second one. It was a poor performance by Benfica, but the result is really the most important. I liked Binya, ran miles and seemed to be everywhere even though he still needs some technical sharpness, nonetheless a good performance by the Cameroonian. Rodriguez was for me the best Benfica player, always looking to create danger, always looking to make a decisive play, If there was any doubt until now that he was a good buy, i think those doubts have been put to bed. Benfica is already looking to exercise the extension option on his contract. Rui Costa seems tired, less interventive, yet, still very much able to run the team. You really can't expect a 35 year old to not show signs of tiredness after playing 2 games in one week. It still wasn't this game that we saw Cardozo score, and while he had an up and down game, more down then up, the playing time is crucial to him, he needs the "reps" in order to get adapted to the European game. As far as Maxi's performance on the right, he was well, considering he had to do the whole flank, and didn't really show signs of tiring out. Nuno Gomes bailed us out with 2 goals, the Portuguese international was very active in tonight's game, he was also grabbed in the box while he prepared himself to put the ball past the keeper for Benfica's third, a call the official never made.

So what's next? 2 weeks of "rest" as there are European Cup qualifying games on saturday and Wednesday. This period will give Camacho the opportunity to do more work with the team and give Rui Costa a much needed rest. I'm pretty sure Benfica will have a scrimmage during this time, where Camacho will once again work with the less used players. Quim and Nuno Gomes will report for national team duty on Monday as well as Katsouranis who will pull national team duty for Greece. Maxi, Rodriguez and Cardozo have been called by their respective national team coaches for this upcoming weekend, as Conmebol World Cup Qualifying tournament games are also scheduled. I'm hoping that this rest period will do us a lot of good, as the last part of October will prove to be a tough one for us with Carlsberg Cup game(s) against Setubal, Bwin Games, one of them against Maritimo (currently 3rd in the Bwin) and CL clash with Celtic, which is critical for our aspirations to advance to the next round in the millionaire league.