Benfica 2 - Belenenses 0 - Now We Wait

Benfica put an end to their losing streak with a "precious" win over Belenenses. With all the problems Benfica has had at home this season, in addition to the difficulty in beating teams that are all fighting for a spot in European competition, Benfica was able to go against the grain, and get the all important win that allows them to keep their hopes alive for a spot in the Champions League.


Chalana didn't surprise many with his starting 11. In the back, Leo, Luisao and Nelson repeated starts, while Edcarlos stepped in the middle of the defense to fill in for Katsouranis, who was needed in the defensive midfield, due to the Petit's injury and Maxi and Binya's suspension. The top half of the midfield diamond was composed of Rodriguez, Rui Costa and Assis, who filled in for Maxi. Up front, Chalana seemed to have made up with Cardozo and gave him the start the Paraguayan hadn't seen in 2 games. Supporting Cardozo was Nuno Gomes.

In my preview, I had predicted that Chalana would line up DiMaria and Nuno Gomes up front, and questioned Chalana's choice to start Nuno Gomes. Despite being a tireless worker up front, Nuno Gomes is very far from being the player he was last year, granted he has been plagued by some injuries, still, he has proven to be well below of what's expected of him.

Benfica started well, the defense looked solid and the midfield looked to take control of the game early on. It took a bit to sort out the offensive markings and how Belenenses was set up, but little by little Benfica established themselves. On the other side Belenenses was only able to show themselves past the 15 minute mark, with quick incursions that threatened Quim's goal. Belenenses pressured high and were taking advantage of Benfica's turnovers to establish some possession themselves. Benfica would later balance things out, when they were able to make quick transitions into the attack and get into the attacking third.
Benfica's first real opportunity came off a corner in which Cardozo did well with a header, but saw his effort saved by the keeper.
A few minutes later Cardozo ran to a 50/50 ball with the keeper but the keeper once again denied him, as Cradozo couldn't do much with that chance. It was Benfica's better phase of the half, after seeing Belenenses grab a hold of the game, Benfica needed to re-assert themselves into the game, and they would do just that, when Luisao(40') took advantage of a poor corner clearance by the Belenenses defense, to put Benfica ahead with a nice shot, a goal he made sure he ran to the sideline and celebrated with Chalana, a clear sign that team and coach are united and determined. It was the corollary to Benfica's rise in the game, although i have seen the team do a lot more and come away with much less this season.
Belenenses responded well before the half time whistle, but were snubbed by Quim.

Into the locker room up 1-0, Benfica couldn't complain much, although their moments of good playing had been intermittent, the goal rewarded the team who held a slight edge in the first half.

The second half saw Belenenses come out strong, trying to change the scoreboard in their favor. 8 minutes in, the same player hit the post on 2 occasions in the same play, and Benfica was lucky to not concede the tying goal.
At the hour mark, Chalana subbed in DiMaria for the ineffective Nuno Gomes, and the first time the young Argentinean touched the ball he was fouled, in the ensuing dangerous free kick, Cardozo would put Benfica up 2-0 in what is now a trademark execution from Cardozo. It was his 12th for the Bwin, his 21st of the season. It was the goal that brought some tranquility for Benfica, yet Belenenses refused to give up and Chalana subbed in Luis Felipe(74') for Assis in order to give more defensive consistency to the right side, a side which seemed to be the chosen side of Belenenses' attack.
Belenenses fight back wouldn't last too long, as 2 minutes later, their central defender decided to smack Katsouranis in the face in front of the referee, the referee brandished the red card, and Belenenses saw their chances of getting back into the game go down the drain.
Sepsi got a few minutes when he came in for Rodriguez in the dying minutes of the game.

Individually:

Quim - 8
Nelson - 8 - good solid game by Nelson, with two "in extremis" tackles that could have brought serious danger to the Benfica goal
Luisao - 7
Edcarlos - 7 - good game from edcarlos, confident and mistake free
Leo - 6
Kastouranis -7
Rui Costa - 7
Rodriguez - 7
Assis -6
Nuno Gomes - 5
Cardozo - 8

DiMaria -7
Luis Felipe - 6
Sepsi - not enough time on

MOM - Cardozo

As i mentioned above, a very important win for Benfica, who will now have to wait for Sporting or Guimaraes to slip, in order to gain ground on the table. Guimaraes plays Porto, and Sporting hosts Maritimo both games taking place his Sunday.




Highlights