It was no easy task for Benfica, playing away, in less than desirable weather conditions, served as a tonic for what everyone expected to be a hard game. Benfica needed to win to qualify for the Uefa Cup while Shaktar was still in the running for both the second round of the Champions League and the Uefa cup, the first one with a win, the second one with a tie.
On to the game,
Quim in goal, Nelson, Luisao, David Luiz and Leo in the back. Petit and Katsouranis as defensive midfielders. Rui Costa, Di Maria and Maxi, as the midfield trident and Cardozo up front. Nelson made his return to the team on the right side of the defense, a return that's been a long time coming and that Benfica fans have been waiting on. Di Maria was the logical substitute for the injured Rodriguez on the left side, while up front, Cardozo started instead of Nuno Gomes. Nelson adds speed and quickness to the right side of the defense he also offers an offensive dynamic unparalleled by any other right back on the squad. His start is not as much of a surprise as his exclusion from the starting 11 since he has been healthy for a few weeks now. Up front, Cardozo broke a streak of bench starts he had been part of. There is some logic to his start, this logic is based on his high stature. Camacho certainly thought of the option Cardozo offers in the box from dead ball situations, as well as the long balls he could help knock down to onrushing midfielders, it's true he doesn't offer the mobility that Nuno Gomes offers, but he is certainly better in the air, and has a better long range shot. In a game where you are playing in adverse conditions, a dead ball situation can certainly decide the game in your favor. As it turns out he ended up being the best choice.
The game started, and before one could have a good evaluation on how Benfica started Cardozo was scoring the first goal. The goal came from a mistake from the Shakhtar right back, who passed the ball back to his center back, but ended up missing the target and Cardozo too advantage and intercepted the pass, dribbling around the keeper and scoring, 6 minutes had gone by. You couldn't have wished for a better start than that. Shakthar turned on the pressure and created several dangerous chances, Quim, with another excellent performance, was able to keep the score level . 16 minutes later, in one of the few combination plays Benfica had in the first half, Maxi served Cardozo in the box, Cardozo did not hesitate and put the ball past the goalie with a powerful header, 2-0. Dream start no doubt, not to mention that after the first goal Shakthar had pressured immensely and Benfica limited themselves to defend. Two chances, 2 goals, 100% efficiency! Again, Shakhtar sensing that the they were being unfairly beaten continued to attack, Katsouranis and Petit missed a lot of passes in the middle, and Benfica could not come out of the back with the ball on their feet, the defense worked very hard, and the players often backed one another after being beat the first time around. Shakhtar reduced the deficit by a goal when David Luiz was called for a pushed on Lucarelli inside the box. In the replay it can go either way, but if you're a defender and you have your hands on your man's back and he goes down when the ball is coming to him, the ref will call it every time. Lucarelli blasted a straight shot that hit Quim's foot but ended up in the back of the net, 30 minutes had gone by. The Shakthar pressure continued until half time and if i remember correctly the possession graphic at half time showed Benfica only having 38% possession. The lack of possession by Benfica was giving Shakhtar the opportunity to play their game and to keep going for the equalizer. Camacho needed to talk to the players and let them know that they needed to circulate the ball. Up by 1, with the Shaktar needing to score 2 goals, Benfica's best weapon is ball circulation an possession. No changes at half time for Benfica, Shakhtar once again came out firing on all cylinders but without having serious chances. They controlled the game and took initiative but the chances were few and far between. Benfica started to increase their posession time after Shaktar's initial pressure, and started playing their game, touching the ball around, with Rui Costa assuming total "gearbox" control. Assis entered the game for Di Maria and Benfica gained more consistency in their transition game. Benfica wasn't really playing an offensive game, but their ball circulation was frustrating the Ukrainian side, who resorted to the long ball, as a desperate attempt to even the score. The long ball style suited Benfica , as it took the very creative "brazilian" Shakthar midfield out of play and gave Luisao and David Luiz complete control of plays originating from the long balls. Luis Felipe came in for Maxi, on the 83rd minute in an attempt to refresh the position without risking too much. Camacho burned his last substitution when he subbed the exhausted Cardozo for Nuno gomes, in a clear attempt to eat a little bit more of the clock. Mr Vassaras sounded the whistle for the end of the game, and Benfica was in the Uefa cup, while Shakthar, after a dream start, was bounced out of Europe.
Another well earned victory, Benfica fought throughout the game and showed the character of this team. One of my keys to the game was team spirit, and how the team would respond from the defeat against Porto. They couldn't have had a better response, with a hard fought victory, the players left everything on the field, and in the end, they achieved the goal they set out to accomplish after losing their chance to advance to the second round of the Champions League.
On what it was, in my opinion, the hardest game for Benfica in the Champions League, the team comes through with a tremendous win that keeps the team in Europe.
On a personal note:
I wanted to thank all the people who have visited this blog more than once and enjoy reading my posts, especially those of you who have taken the time to leave your comments. I'd like for the comment box to be used as your own opinions, or things you'd like to add, or even disagreements you might have with some of my views. It's an open forum, you can either post anonymously or with a name. Opinions are to be heard.
Highlights
The game started, and before one could have a good evaluation on how Benfica started Cardozo was scoring the first goal. The goal came from a mistake from the Shakhtar right back, who passed the ball back to his center back, but ended up missing the target and Cardozo too advantage and intercepted the pass, dribbling around the keeper and scoring, 6 minutes had gone by. You couldn't have wished for a better start than that. Shakthar turned on the pressure and created several dangerous chances, Quim, with another excellent performance, was able to keep the score level . 16 minutes later, in one of the few combination plays Benfica had in the first half, Maxi served Cardozo in the box, Cardozo did not hesitate and put the ball past the goalie with a powerful header, 2-0. Dream start no doubt, not to mention that after the first goal Shakthar had pressured immensely and Benfica limited themselves to defend. Two chances, 2 goals, 100% efficiency! Again, Shakhtar sensing that the they were being unfairly beaten continued to attack, Katsouranis and Petit missed a lot of passes in the middle, and Benfica could not come out of the back with the ball on their feet, the defense worked very hard, and the players often backed one another after being beat the first time around. Shakhtar reduced the deficit by a goal when David Luiz was called for a pushed on Lucarelli inside the box. In the replay it can go either way, but if you're a defender and you have your hands on your man's back and he goes down when the ball is coming to him, the ref will call it every time. Lucarelli blasted a straight shot that hit Quim's foot but ended up in the back of the net, 30 minutes had gone by. The Shakthar pressure continued until half time and if i remember correctly the possession graphic at half time showed Benfica only having 38% possession. The lack of possession by Benfica was giving Shakhtar the opportunity to play their game and to keep going for the equalizer. Camacho needed to talk to the players and let them know that they needed to circulate the ball. Up by 1, with the Shaktar needing to score 2 goals, Benfica's best weapon is ball circulation an possession. No changes at half time for Benfica, Shakhtar once again came out firing on all cylinders but without having serious chances. They controlled the game and took initiative but the chances were few and far between. Benfica started to increase their posession time after Shaktar's initial pressure, and started playing their game, touching the ball around, with Rui Costa assuming total "gearbox" control. Assis entered the game for Di Maria and Benfica gained more consistency in their transition game. Benfica wasn't really playing an offensive game, but their ball circulation was frustrating the Ukrainian side, who resorted to the long ball, as a desperate attempt to even the score. The long ball style suited Benfica , as it took the very creative "brazilian" Shakthar midfield out of play and gave Luisao and David Luiz complete control of plays originating from the long balls. Luis Felipe came in for Maxi, on the 83rd minute in an attempt to refresh the position without risking too much. Camacho burned his last substitution when he subbed the exhausted Cardozo for Nuno gomes, in a clear attempt to eat a little bit more of the clock. Mr Vassaras sounded the whistle for the end of the game, and Benfica was in the Uefa cup, while Shakthar, after a dream start, was bounced out of Europe.
Another well earned victory, Benfica fought throughout the game and showed the character of this team. One of my keys to the game was team spirit, and how the team would respond from the defeat against Porto. They couldn't have had a better response, with a hard fought victory, the players left everything on the field, and in the end, they achieved the goal they set out to accomplish after losing their chance to advance to the second round of the Champions League.
On what it was, in my opinion, the hardest game for Benfica in the Champions League, the team comes through with a tremendous win that keeps the team in Europe.
On a personal note:
I wanted to thank all the people who have visited this blog more than once and enjoy reading my posts, especially those of you who have taken the time to leave your comments. I'd like for the comment box to be used as your own opinions, or things you'd like to add, or even disagreements you might have with some of my views. It's an open forum, you can either post anonymously or with a name. Opinions are to be heard.
Highlights
10 comments:
Still in Europe :)
Midfield couldn't get anything going. Cardozo wasn't able to hold up the ball first half, got better in the second. Two nice goals from him. Good to see Nelson back.
Nelson was MOTM in my opinion. Glad to see that we were able to finish our chances!
Finnally (subscribe an account on google) I've the possibilitie of leaving my opinion in our outstanding blog.
I came here for a couple of months and I really aprecciate your comments.
Very important victory for Benfica and for the Portuguese UEFA ranking.
I hope we can reach the final and win trophy we never won.
Please continue the good work.
Some people are speculating that Benfica is grooming Freddy Adu to take over Rui Costa's role, Is this also you view??
I don't think we have anyone on the team right now that can organize an attack.
Other than Rui Costa of course!
I hope Camacho improves his performances in Europe. I simpatize with him, but he tends to fail against powerful opponents. Italian teams and porto are good examples. Once he starts winning this games he'll make Benfica greater. At least the team gives all in the pitch and that leaves the supporters happy.
If we'd still had Simao and Miccoli this year we'd win the Uefa Cup. Hope Cardozo keeps scoring... everytime he scores we win ;)
it's hard to say wether or not Adu is being groomed for Rui Costa's position, it's a possibility, but their characteristics are a bit different. Freddy can play an attacking midfield role and has an edge on Rui Costa when it come to that as he is always looking towards goal, but when it comes to assume total control of the game, by dictating the pace of the game in the middle of the park, Freddy might not be the choice. But he is young and can very well develop that skill under the proper guidance. With Camacho's current system, 4-2-3-1, Freddy is perfect to play in Rui Costa's current role, he is quick, moves into space well and does not take to long to get a shot off. That is the position where Freddy feels the most comfortable in, behind the center forward.
Nuno Assis is supposed to be Rui Costa's back up as organizer, but he has not impressed Camacho, and he neither has Adu's offensive capabilities nor Rui Costa's organizing capabilities, he has been alternating between the right and the middle whe Rui Costa does not play(Carlsberg Cup). In my opinion, the organizer position is a position Benfica should add depth to, come January, God forbid Rui Costa goes down, then what?
@desazucr
I think we have to be patient with Camacho, yes statistically, he shows signs of failure in big games, especially against Porto. Italian teams have always been Portuguese team's hardest opponents, that's also been proven statistically. We just have to give him time, he was brought in to a team that was not built under his guidance, the 3 players that were brought in by his "hand", Rodriguez, Maxi and Binya, have all made their impact on the team and are clear starters 2of the 3 at least.
let's see what players he is able to pick up in january to make the team stronger. Benfica SAD claims they have the cash, let's go out and make it happen, and lay down a foundation for next year. Simao and Micolli were great losses, i think Simao's exit was eminent, as he had manifested the desire to move on to a better league, I think Atletico Madrid might have not been what he had in mind, but money talks. Micolli's case seems more complex, he also had manifested the desire to return to Italy to be close to his family, but i don't think Benfica put too much of an effort to keep him at the club. I blame a lot of this season's shortcomings on LFV.
Oscar needs time, we can't forget he did not have the normal summer rest period other players had, as he was involved in the copa america, we also have to take into consideration that if he was playing in the Argentinian league, he would be finishing right now, so it has been a very long year for Cardozo. I think the south american players will benefit the most from the x-mas, new year break.
Fumas, I followed you to your blog from your comment on the NYTime's Goal blog interview with Freddy Adu.
I enjoyed your analysis of this game, both astute and partisan. As an American, I look forward to following Adu, Benefica, and the Portuguese league with you!
Awesome, I try to be as fair as possible and unbiased, I don't consider myself a fanatic blinded my my clubs colors, but i am very passionate about Benfica. I'd like to think of myself as someone who can give an in depth analysis and let my readers leave their comments. I love talking soccer and i'm always up to listen as well as share views.
Welcome and i hope you enjoy what you read.
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