No time to relax for Benfica, after two days of rest, Benfica is back on the field for a tough match against Braga. Benfica comes off an important result in Germany, and looks to continue their favorable moment. Braga is also coming from a last thursday game, although the result wasn't as favorable to Braga, as they were eliminated from the Uefa Cup by Werder Bremen.
Braga is currently in 8th in the Portuguese Bwin. They have only won twice, when playing out of their stadium. They have the worst defense in the Bwin, and they lead the league in yellows. Benfica has not lost a game this year and their lossless streak goes back to the 15th of December of last year.
Game roster:
Keepers: Butt and Quim
Defenders:Luís Filipe, Luisão, Léo, Nelson, Sepsi and Edcarlos
Midfielders: Katsouranis, Rui Costa, Binya, Petit, Nuno Assis, Maxi Pereira and Di María
Forwards: Makukula, Mantorras and Cardozo
Notable absences - Adu, Rodriguez, Nuno Gomes and David Luiz. Freddy was left out by Camacho for technical options, it is the first time Freddy is left out since his game roster debut back in the 26th of September of last year. His first appearance, under Camacho came in a league cup game, against Estrela, His 2 goal performance against Estrela earned him his first Bwin call up, in a game against Sporting. Rodriguez, David Luiz and Nuno Gomes, continue to recover from their injuries, with Rodriguez being the one that will more likely to make a soon return.
Projected line up:
Quim in goal. In defense, I will be curious to see if Luis Felipe gets the start, Camacho might give him the start in an attempt to moralize the player, after his poor showing in Germany. Luisao, Katsouranis and Leo, will be the rest of the back four. Petit and Bynia will be in front of the defense, while the rest of the line up can go several different ways, my first doubt lies on 1 or 2 forwards, this choice will affect the way the midfield is set up. I think that Camacho will go with 2 forwards in Cardozo and Makukula. Which could mean that either Rui Costa or Assis will be left out, as Maxi will likely be in the midfield. Resting Rui Costa would not come as a surprise to me, Benfica played on Thursday, and Rui Costa might not be entirely recuperated, that choice will be made by Rui Costa himself.
Tough game for Benfica, Braga's exit of the Uefa Cup, has caused the northern club to direct all of their focus to the Bwin and a spot in next years uefa Cup. Despite having won only 2 games away from home, Braga will be coming to Estadio da Luz to win. Braga's Linz is currently the 2nd best scorer in the Bwin with 10 goals, 3 more than Cardozo and Makukula. Joao Pereira, the right back was waved by Benfica a couple seasons ago and has been having a a good year, he will be out to prove that he Benfica made a mistake.
Benfica will need to come out strong and score early, it'll be interesting to see how the two teams have recuperated from their games on thursday. Physical freshness as well as psychological state of mind will most likely be the more determining factors of this game. With the mental part most likely taking front stage in the form of motivation to win the game.
Last time the 2 teams met, back on the first round this is how it was:
This is how i saw it last time Benfica met Braga
Highlights
click on the image to zoom ( source - zerozero.pt)
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Benfica - Braga Preview
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2 comments:
Adu did not make the roster for tomorrows game... why? It makes no sense... in every WC he has played in... the number is now 3, he has been easily one of the top 5 players in every tournament. He also has 6 goals in an avg. of 12.8 mins he has played for benfica this year. In the U-20 cup the Brazilin coach hailed his ability and said if he was a Brazilian he would have sold for millions more than he did... When do you begin to trust his ability and let him flourish in this league. He is young I understand but so is angel... so is sepsi... so is Pato... so is Dos Santos... all players freddy has out accomplished on world stages. When does he get his chance? When do we let me play? When do we let him grow up on the field? When is the time?
Camacho feels that neither him nor DiMaria are ready for the roles they are meant for in the club. i think his exclusion from the game roster has a lot to do with the way Camacho will set up the team this Sunday, I think Camacho will go back to the two forwards, therefore sacrificing one of the wingers, with less wingers on the field, less demand you'll have for more than 2 on the bench.
it's a slow process, and for as much as i would love to see him get more minutes, i have to believe that his progression is taking its course, and that patience is needed from our part.
Yes Freddy has proven himself in the time he has been given, but Camacho sees the players every day, and if anyone is going to know if Freddy is ready or not will be Camacho. I'm also thinking Freddy will get some significant minutes this wednesday for the Portuguese Cup.
Although i have questioned a lot of Camacho's decisions lately, it would be unwise on my part to think Freddy is ready, when Camacho is the one that sees him every day.
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