Sporting 1 - Benfica 1 - Gap stays the same

With many expectations riding on the game's result, the eternal rivals played to a deadlock, a result that favors Benfica more than Sporting. With both teams missing key players, the game was, for the most part, balanced with both teams having periods of the game in their favor.


Camacho fielded the following 11:

Quim in goal, the back four were Nelson, Edcarlos, Katsouranis and Leo. Maxi and Bynia were the first line of the midfield while DiMaria, Rui Costa, Rodriguez supported Cardozo. The all too familiar 4-2-3-1. Assis, who was originally in the line up, suffered an injury during the warm ups and was scratched off the starting line up, making way for DiMaria. Freddy Adu who was declared the 19th man(for the second bwin game in the row), ended up suiting up and sitting on the bench(for the second game in the row), as a result of Assis' last minute injury.

Looking at the line up, it was probably the truest Benfica has ever been to the 4-2-3-1 with DiMaria and Rodriguez on the wings. Two players whose speed and 1 on 1 qualities are perfect for those positions in that tactical system.

As expected, Sporting came out strong, pressuring Benfica in their half, and occupying Benfica's passing lanes. This pressure caused Benfica to struggle to find a way to get out of the defense with the ball controlled and to generate any type of build up using their mid-sector.
Most of Sporting's attack was being done through Benfica's right side, where Nelson struggled to defend against the Vukcevic and was often beat when Sporting would present numbers in his direction, part of it because of the lack of help from DiMaria.
Benfica's defensive line showed signs of uneasiness early on, and Sporting was able to create a few good chance, to which Quim responded well to. Sporting's several insistences through the right side of Benfica's defense, would eventually pay off, as Vukcevic took advantage of bad positioning by Edcarlos to put Sporting ahead, Vukcevic showed up unmarked in between the 2 central defenders for the free header that beat Quim. 11 minutes in and Sporting's initial pressure and control of the game couldn't have produce a better result.
Once again Benfica's slow, nervous start dictated the disadvantage on the scoreboard. Benfica continued to strugggle to find any type of game flow, and was not be able to find that game flow until half way through the half, when they were able to balance and eventually take control of the game, Rodriguez, switched sides with the uninspired DiMaria and Benfica was able to balance out the flanks, and eventually take control of the game. Stringing passes together, and transitioning into Sporting's half, Benfica became the more controlling and dangerous side, with Rui Costa giving the first sign of danger when he had an attempt on goal which Sporting's keeper saved. Benfica's continued dominance would once again present Rodriguez with a valuable chance, this time, with the ball passing very close to one of the goalposts. Benfica looked for the equalizer and in their good period of the game, Benfica was clearly superior to Sporting, and that superiority would result in the inevitable equalizer in the 38th minute. Cardozo took a Rui Costa corner and did not waste the free header, scoring his 17th goal of the season, 8th for the bwin.
Benfica was able to shake off Sporting's initial pressure, suffered a goal but responded well, and went into the locker room feeling that they could definitely turn the scoreboard around, much because of the better quality of soccer they showed in the second half of the first 45 minutes.

The second half started very much the same as the first, with Sporting pressuring high, in attempt to prevent Benfica from imposing their game, the only difference was that Benfica's defensive line showed to be a lot more secure, and Sporting could not create the same type of danger they created in the first half.
Little by little Benfica got back into the game, picking up on some of the good moments of possession they had at the end of the half, but neither team was able to establish themselves as the dominating one, Benfica played a relaxed game, and saw ball possession be the best way to establish control of the game and dictate the rhythm of the game.
Camacho made his first substitution at the 75th minute mark, when he subbed in Sepsi for DimMaria. DiMaria had perhaps one of his worst performances with a Benfica shirt, maybe lack of maturity or too much responsibility for the young Argentinean.
Sepsi positioned himself on the left side of the attack.
In the 76th minute Nelson was red carded for a wild tackle on a Celcinho, a red card that would put the brakes on Benfica's clear domination at that point in the game. With 10 men, Benfica limited themselves to play behind the ball and looked to counter with speed. Camacho made his second substitution of the game at the 88 minute, when he subbed in Zorro for Rodriguez, Maxi who had dropped into right back, as a result of Nelson's ejection, went back to the midfield, as Zorro occupied the right back slot.
Benfica defended well, and was able to keep Sporting away from the goal despite playing a man down. Before the game was over, Camacho had Rui Costa come out, in attempt to let the crowd show their appreciation for the Maestro, and the crowd responded with a standing ovation. Luis Felipe entered the game, but the ref would blow the whistle shortly there after.

Sporting complained of a couple blown penalty calls, the first one a foul by Leo on Vukcevic, the second one a pull by Katsouranis on Purovic. While the first one could have been blown, the second one holds no merit.

Individually

Quim 8 - Some great saves from Quim in the initial moments of the match, kept Benfica in the game, in the second half, a couple other saves that prove why he is currently the best Portuguese keeper.

Nelson 6 - A terrible first 20 minutes, which can't all be blamed on him, as the lack of help from DiMaria often caused him to defend 2 players. Hasty and clumsy flying tackle that resulted in his ejection, despite not touching Sporting's player Nelson should know better, and could have made a better decision taking into consideration that the foul occurred in midfield.

Edcarlos 6 - Edcarlos, is still having trouble adapting to the game, his first 20 minutes were disastrous, marked my nervousness and consequent bad play, Edcarlos was often caught out of position. He was able to "bring the boat afloat", in the second half, showing more security.

Katsouranis 6 - Along with Edcarlos, Katsouranis also had a very auspicious start, but was able to play better as the team collectively improved.

Leo 7 - Not much work for Leo in the first half, as most of Sporting's game was through the opposite side. In the second half, Leo was important in Benfica's attacking maneuver as he often appeared in the attacking third providing support, as he often does so well.
It's a shame that his contract negotiations are going the way they are.

Maxi 7 - Not much in the offensive aspect, but defending is where Maxi excelled, Benfica's second worker bee, worked tirelessly to contain Sporting's midfield.

Binya 8 - The Cameroonian international has established himself has an important first team player, his work rate is impressive, the amount of balls he recovers is higher than any other player on the Benfica squad. Despite being contested by many fans for his overly aggressive playing, Bynia has found the balance between that aggressivenss and has become one of the most important Benfica players. Tonight he was impeccable defending and transitioning the ball into the attack.

DiMaria 4 - Clearly the worst performance of the Argentinean, didn't help defend and in the attack didn't do much more, perhaps, should have been subbed earlier, as he did not show any improvement throughout the game.

Rui Costa 8 - Rui Costa continues to be the driving force behind Benfica's game, from his feet come all of Benfica's attacking ideas and initiatives, also from his feet, come very dangerous set pieces, one that originated the goal and another one that Cardozo almost put away.

Rodriguez 7 - Rodriguez played well, his recent injury has somewhat slowed him down, but overall the Uruguayan had a good game and Benfica started playing better when he came to the left side. A very good shot at the 35 minute mark, that came very close to Sporting's goal.

Cardozo 8 - Cardozo scored his 17th goal of the season, and seems to be tailor made for big games. He spent most of the game by himself fighting the Sporting central defenders, but did well in winning most of the head balls coming his way as well as combining with his team mates. His performance is somewhat stained by the elbow he threw on Tonel, despite being a light tap, it was a move that could have very well complicated things for Benfica, had he been ejected. Notable how he scored the goal, a no-chance header, a part of his game that many pundits had pointed out has being his weakest.

Sepsi - 6

Zoro - 6

MOM - Binya

Good result for Benfica, who after being down 1-0 at the 10 minute mark, were able to comeback and could have possibly have completed the turn around, if it wasn't for Nelson's ejection.
Benfica comes out of the game with the feel that they could have done better, but not at all displeased with the result. With the tie, the point gaps remain the same, Sporting is still fifth and Benfica is still second, although a win could have provided a nice cushion for Benfica, a tie is still a good result, especially when you consider that Benfica was playing away, in front of a sold out crowd at the Alvalade Stadium.

Benfica had periods in which they were clearly the better team, displaying a level of soccer a couple of notches above what they have showed in the most recent outings.
Playing away continues to bring success to Benfica, who could have done a lot better if Luisao, Petit, David Luiz and Nuno Gomes were in the line up.




Highlights

# Foto - Francisco Leong - getty images