Benfica 3 - Setubal 0 - A Worthy Send Off

Benfica finished off the season with a 3-0 home win against Setubal. On a night in which Rui Costa called it quits; the Benfica faithful filled Estadio da Luz, to say goodbye to the Maestro, more so than to push the team to an all important win, and subsequent third place finish, which was ultimately dependent on third party results.

Both Sporting and Guimaraes were playing at home, and the possibility of them losing points in the final fixture of the year, with so much at stake, seemed highly unlikely.
Benfica missed out on a great chance last week and could have ultimately locked up third place with this final win, had they beaten Amadora last weekend.

The last 11 of the season was the following:
Quim in goal, Nelson, Luisao, Edcarlos and Leo in the back. Katsouranis, Assis, Rui Costa and Rodriguez completed the midfield diamond. Up front it was Nuno Gomes and Cardozo.
Assis got the nod for the start in detriment of Maxi, and Katsouranis filled in for the suspended Petit.

Benfica started well and dominated the entire first half, with the fans behind the team, and wanting to finish the season with a bit of dignity. Benfica commanded most of the game, Setubal on the other hand, showed up in a compact tactical set up with only one man up front. There was nothing at stake for the League Cup champs, and they played a relaxed game, happy to give Benfica the initiative.
Benfica stringed passes together, and assumed control of the game, Rui Costa dictated the pace and almost all transitions and flank switches went through his feet. Benfica gave their first warning early, when, on two separate occasions, Leo and Edcarlos headed the ball very close to Setubal's goal. More fortunate was Katsouranis, who gave the best conclusion to a Rui Costa pin point cross to put Benfica ahead at the 26 minute mark. Benfica's attacks were mostly from the right side, where Nelson was very active; Assis, Rui Costa and Rodriguez, often switched positions in the midfield, and that gave Benfica a different attacking dynamic, something Benfica usually doesn't have when Maxi is on, as all three players have similar offensive characteristics and play the short give and go game with great effectiveness. Up front, Nuno Gomes and Cardozo worked hard to create spaces and lose their markers. It was on one of those movements that Cardozo put Benfica up 2-0. Cardozo appeared on the top corner of the box to receive a ball from Rui Costa, and after a good first touch to create a bit of space, Cardozo got past his defender and fired a low rocket into the furthest of corners. It was his 22nd goal of the season, 13th in the Bwin. Benfica would go into the locker room justifying the scoreline, but losing Nelson to injury. Nelson who was being a catalyst for Benfica's attack, suffered what appeared to be a muscle pull, and had to be substituted by Maxi at right back.

From the other two matches, the news weren't all that great - Sporting, who had gone down 1-0, completed the turn around and was now leading 2-1. Guimaraes who had stayed off the score sheet for most of the half, scored in the last 8 minutes of the half, on what would end up being the start of a blow out.

With Maxi already on the field, the second half started, Benfica lost the wing play Nelson had been providing, and with that, some of the attacking pace, still, Benfica seemed to control all aspects of the game, with Setubal content to play on the counter, but not with much success.
DiMaria was Chalana's next choice, and made his way on for Assis in the 64th minute, that seemed to bring back some of the speed that was lost from the first half. Benfica continued to attack and Nuno Gomes had a couple of great opportunities to add to Benfica's tally, but couldn't finish them.
In the 86th minute, the moment all had hoped never came - Rui Costa's good bye. The fourth official lifted up the substitution board that indicated "10", the public responded with a standing ovation for The Maestro, who said goodbye to all of his team mates on his way out, visibly emotional, Rui Costa walked off the field thanking the fans, as the fans realized it was perhaps an end of an era, the last great Benfica player of the "golden generation", who had chosen to finish out his career playing for the club he has loved all his life, in front of "his" public. On his terms, with all of his skill faculties, possibly the second best way to go out - first from an individual standpoint.
Binya came in for Rui Costa and had time to celebrate the final goal, Nuno Gomes would close out the night with a goal in the 88th minute, after a skilled touchline play from DiMaria.
The final whistle sounded and fourth place was how Benfica would finish this 07/08 year. Guimaraes blew out Amadora 4-0, and Sporting held on to the 2-1 lead against Boavista.

Individually:

Quim - 6
Nelson - 7
Luisao - 7
Edcarlos - 7
Leo - 7
Katsouranis -8
Rui Costa - 8
Rodriguez - 7
Assis - 6
Nuno Gomes - 6
Cardozo - 8

Maxi - 6
DiMaria - 7
Binya - NA

MOM - Rui Costa

In the very near future i will do a series of posts i which i will breakdown the season, how the new acquisitions fared, and look at the future as a new coach is appointed.

Highlights

Rui Costa's final Press Conference