It's the 4th round of the Portuguese Cup, and all of the teams from Portugal's top flight will make their debut in the cup this weekend, except Boavista and Maritimo who have a bye. Benfica drew Academica de Coimbra, a team they played and beat 3-1 almost 3 weeks ago in Coimbra. Not a very good initial draw for Benfica, drawing another Bwin team, but, for a team that has its sights on their 25th Portuguese Cup, Benfica has to beat every team in their path, no matter who they are.
Camacho has called the following players:
Keepers: Butt and Quim;
Defenders: Luisão, Léo, Luis Filipe, Edcarlos, Nelson, David Luiz;
Midfielders: Binya, Rui Costa, Di Maria, Petit, Nuno Assis;
Forwards: Adu, Mantorras, Nuno Gomes, Cardozo and Bergessio.
Looking at the call up list 3 obvious absences pop up - Rodriguez, Maxi and Katsouranis. Rodriguez has not yet fully recuperated from his injury, Maxi and Katsouranis get the well needed rest. The Greek did some light jogging in practice this morning, in what it seems to be an effort to recuperate strenght.
It's tough to say whether Camacho will give more playing time to the less used players, but i would bet on a few fresh faces in the starting 11. I am almost positive that Butt will start in goal, as far as the rest of the squad, the defensive back 4 should stay the same, the more reps the same 4 get together the better it is for them as a unit. Nelson will be at right back. Binya will be next to Petit. It'll be the first time Binya and Petit play together, this will give Camacho an idea on how Binya and Petit play together and what spaces they will occupy during the game. In order for 2 defensive midfielders to form a good tandem, they must complement each other, they can't be covering the same areas of the field, and they must function in a teeter toter sort of way - one up, one down during Benfica's offensive transition. While Katsouranis and Petit know each other's tendencies, Binya and Petit only know each other from practice. I'd be curious to see what kind of results it produces and how they distinguish themselves from each other. Binya can provide more stamina and more physical strength in the midfield. I'd be curious on how this will affect the team's game, for one thing, with Binya in the midfield, Petit won't have to cover as much ground, letting him be more supportive of Rui Costa. The other thing to be seen is whether they line up side by side or if Petit will play in front of Binya. In the attacking third, it would be nice to see Rui Costa get a rest, but that's not going to happen against Academica. Rodriguez's did not fully recover yet, so it'll be Di Maria on the left wing, on the right wing, Assis seems to be the strongest candidate for the spot , while upfront we will most likely see Cardozo again. With the 2 goals on Tuesday, Oscar seems to be gaining confidence towards hitting full stride, It would make no sense to halt his momentum. I'm also hoping for Freddy Adu to get some more playing time, he scored the 3rd goal in the previous meeting between Benfica and Academica. One can make an argument for his start on the right wing, but despite Freddy's willingness to play anytime, anywhere, this is not a position he feels the most comfortable with, although it would be interesting to see. For one thing with Binya and Petit in the midfield, the 2 wingers have more freedom to attack. Di Maria on the left and Freddy on the right, now that's crystal ball a sight, if you ask me.
With Benfica having finished their very busy cycle of 2 games a week, you have to wonder how much gas does this team have in the tank, and how well has Camacho recuperated the team, mentally and physically. Benfica can't afford to come out flat, they need to take control of the game from the get go. After a hard fought, emotional win against Shakhtar, the team must continue to work hard and build up on the progress they have made so far. They need to have a balanced, high level performance and put away the chances that are created, the earlier the better. Academica felt that they could have come away with a tie in the previous match, they will surely be moralized to have another go at Benfica. Despite the doubts on what starting 11 Camacho will field, the biggest question is - who will start for Academica in goal?
A quick look at the starting 11 that played Academica back on the 24th of November
Quim - Luis Felipe, Luisao, David Luiz and Leo - Binya and Katsouranis - Assis, Rui Costa and Di Maria - Nuno Gomes. If Benfica plays with the line up i'm anticipating, it'll be 4 new faces, how different will it be from the last time these two team met?
Friday, December 7, 2007
Benfica - Academica - Portuguese Cup Preview
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5 comments:
I believe Binya will play in front of Petit, like a number 8, a box to box, I hope he can do well because he has enough quality to do so.
About Adu, all Benfica fans want to him more in the field, the quality of his game improved a lot, fewer losses of the ball, better quality of passing, better decisions when to drible or pass and of course goals.
I believe Adu can improve the game quality. I'd like to see him playing in the 10 or 9,5 position supporting Cardozo.
But I agree with you that Rui Costa will play it's quite a risk to play without Rui at the moment.
Anyway I'm no doubt that Benfica will win tomorrow.
yeah it's tough to say how Camacho will set them up. The one thing that Petit has, that we haven't seen from Binya is the long range bomb, which would make him the right man to play behind Rui Costa. What do you think about that? Both side by side and the 1-1 positioning have their own advantages, question is how well do they know each other? while the side by side involves knowing less about each other, the other positioning calls for a lot more synchronization of movements. Side by side you are basically covering your half of the field splitting the field right down the middle, filling in for winger and side defender forward runs as well as offering support to the players that attack on that side. the 1-1 positioning is a little more intricate as both players will need to compensate for each other's runs as well as filling in the gaps that are left by each others movements, this take a lot more understanding of each other. Then again for all we know, Binya might have played the position once before and will know what to do as far as basic movement and positioning, but it's all dependent on the other player. It would be interesting to see and definitely one of the things i will be looking at.. Yeah it's too bad Freddy can't come in and play that position, that is his natural position, playing right behind the forward. I'd like to see him there.. I think when Petit is at full strength Camacho might go with one defensive midfielder opening up a second forward spot, where Freddy can fit right in. He can play in Nuno Gomes' position when Benfica plays with 2 forwards, that i know. But we have to give Camacho time to work him, Adu is still young and his development needs to be watched over, without setting him up for failure. I think that is Camacho's biggest concern, that the youngsters are not set up for failure.
I think they will winn too, but the game will be a very interesting game, after all that happened in the first game.
About Petit is true he has powerful shot, but he plays as a 6 for so many years that is hard for him to change position, besides he will continue to play as a 6.
More, Binya has more speed than Petit and I believe (?) he has more tecnique to play in zones with less space (I must confirm this idea until now is more like an intuition).
Camacho prefers the double defensive pivot or he hasn´t an 8 who gives him guarantees.
In my opinion the 4231 to work properly, must:
- have a 10 (9,5) that can play inside the area and scores (ADU, DICA (?)) this is not the best role for Rui Costa, even more with 35. Until know I don't aprecciate Di Maria in this spot.
- an 8 (I believe Rui Costa fits better in here) capable of change speed and strong in defensive situation (maybe Rodriguez could be an option) although Katsouranis (lack of speed) is a solution if he's in great shape.
- an of course wingers, Benfica have good solutions for the left (Rodriguez and Di Maria and Coentrão) for the rigth we just have Maxi, we need one more option (with more atacking caractheritiques). I hope Camacho doesn't insist in Di Maria for the right winger, Rodriguez can play this role better.
I believe this are the positions we must strenght in January and/or July since we continue to play in 4231 or 442.
It was rumored that Benfica will purchase the contract of Alessandro Rosina from Torino. He can play on the right. What do you guys think of him? Also, remember Diego Souza is probably coming back from loan around the new year. He can play DM, CM, RM. I think Karyaka's loan is expiring also but, he will probably be loaned again. Anyway, it will give Camacho more options (can play different formations)
@netking
you bring up very good points and You are correct Petit is a 6 by nature, the big question mark is what Binya is and what role will he play with Petit on the field? He is definitely quicker and more athletic than Petit. But will he be a good 8? I believe every time Binya has played has been in the 6 slot, with katsouranis being the defense-attack transition man. Benfica's tactical system has been built around Rui Costa, and in his hay day he could very well do great things in the 8/10 position, but presently he is limited to what his 35 years of age allow him to do, and Benfica's system "suffers" with that in a way. Rui Costa is definitely an 8, his game is based on tempo control and precise passing, but defensively it's hard for him to be an eight and i think that's why Camacho has moved him up the field, freeing him of defensive responsibilities, but by doing that you are taking away a forward position. Rui Costa is not a finisher and he needs field ahead of him to play. it's a bit complicated in my opinion. I don't like Di Maria in that spot either, Di Maria is a winger, that best man for that position is Adu, but then you need an 8 that takes control of the team, you move Rui Costa to that slot you lose defensive power. as you can see it's complicated. I have heard of Dica but i am not too familiar with his style and characteristics, from what i hear , he's a very good player, and he would be a good acquisition. Camacho has expressed the desire to get a forward and a right mid with offensive characteristics, those are the priorities come January. it looks like Coentrao is on his way out on loan..
@anonymous
yes I heard about Rosina - he already rejected Milan once
http://www.fansfc.com/speculation_news.asp?sid=10379&fcid=
15 million pounds (20,7mm euros) sounds like a lot of money for a winger.
Souza's case is being handled by the club, I heard Camacho wanted to get a look at him, and there are a couple of clubs in Brazil interested in him, we will surely hear more about him come january.
Benfica sold Karyaka to FC Saturn for a couple of mill if i'm not mistaken.
Thanks to both of you for your comments
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