Benfica 2 - Moreirense 0 - Into the final 4

I'll start by saying that i did not watch the game, I did follow it on the radio, when the radio wasn't either covering Porto's game or Sporting's game.

From what i read, and what i heard on the radio, was that Benfica played another game typical of what they have accustomed us to, in another words, nothing to write home about. Benfica did their obligation and advanced to the final four, which include, Porto, Sporting and Setubal. At this moment, Benfica is where it needs to be in this competition, and regardless of who the opponent is in the next round, Benfica needs to be in the final. Not only because of the club's magnitude and history, but also because, if the Bwin classification is an indication of Benfica's current situation, then Benfica is the second best team in Portugal, so a place in the final is really where Benfica needs to be.

In his preview of the game, Camacho had announced he would be making several changes to the line up, including giving Sepsi the start. This is the team that he fielded:

Butt in goal, Luis Felipe, Edcarlos, Zoro ans Sepsi in the back. In midfield it was Maxi and Bynia in the defensive midfield, while the supporting trio that supported Cardozo were DiMaria, Assis and Adu.

I wasn't really sure if Benfica was playing with one or two d-mids, at first i thought that Maxi was on the right and Adu supported Cardozo as the second forward, but that wasn't the case it was the all too familiar 4-2-3-1, whether you play against a good team or a team from Portugal's 3rd flight, One forward seems to be, in Camacho's opinion, Benfica's most effective tactical disposition.
Surprising start for Freddy Adu, in one of my exchanges with one of my readers on the topic of why was Freddy left out the game roster against Braga(he ended up being called and even playing) I wrote that i wouldn't be surprised if Freddy got significant minutes in this game, and even though a start was the option I was least confident with, i always thought it would be possible. Freddy got the start and from what i read, and heard, he played well enough that he stood out as one of the better Benfica players of the first half. Sepsi was also well but played a very safe game, bordering on "shyness". In the middle of the defense, both Edcarlos, and the returned Zoro had steady performances.
Benfica's midfield assumed control of the game and kept it, but the recurrent problem of lack of execution in the attack were once again on display. Despite DiMaria, Assis and Adu showing a great degree of mobility, exchanging positions quite often, Benfica couldn't really penetrate the Moreirense defense, that despite being a 3rd flight team, showed themselves well in defense and were able to keep Benfica away from their goal. Again the last third of the Benfica attack continues to lack solutions to create clear chances of goal. At half time Camacho sent Rui Costa and Makukula to warm up, a sign that they would be making their entrance soon. The second half started and Benfica seemed to start slightly worst than the first, which made Camacho make changes 10 minutes in. Not wanting to wait any longer to resolve the game, Camacho subbed in Rui Costa for Luis Felipe and Makukula for Adu. Maxi dropped into right back, while Rui Costa came into the middle, Makukula partnered up with Cardozo at Adu's expense.
Adu's substitution caught me by surprise, according to the radio, Freddy seemed to be one of the better Benfica players of the first half, and according to what I have read, Freddy was the one who was making through passes into the back of the defense and seemed to be the most offensive player of the midfield trio. Freddy was even part of a controversial play, in which he was fouled inside thbe box, the ref gave Freddy a yellow for simulating and gave Moreirense a free kick on the edge of their box. I'm no ref, but if it's a "simulation" outside the box, why would you give the player a yellow? Aren't yellows given to a player who tries to simulate a penalty, isn't that the main criteria? Or do referees have carte blanche to give a player a yellow anytime he "throws" himself on the floor?( if there are any refs reading this, please help me out here)
Rui Costa and Makukula would end up making the difference. Rui Costa with the increase in gameplay he brought the team, which culminated in his goal, Benfica's first of the night, a play in which Assis wins the line and crosses to Cardozo who traps the ball with his chest to Rui Costa's volley.
Makukula would close off the scoreboard after a play in which him and the recently subbed in Mantorras combined.

It's frightening how much Benfica is Rui Costa dependent, with the Maestro's impending retirement, i'll be curious to see how they will solve this dependency issue.
I wish i could say a lot more about the game, but unfortunately, i didn't watch the game, and it wouldn't be fair to speculate and give opinions based on most of what i have read and heard on the radio and internet.