Rio Ave 1 - Benfica 1

Benfica continued their season opening victory drought with a tie against recently promoted Rio Ave. For the 3rd consecutive year, Benfica could not get maximum points on their opening game and start off the season at a disadvantage in relation to their direct rivals.
Photo Credit - Miguel Rio(AFP/Getty)

It could have very well have been the continuation of last season, and this summer been just a dream in my imagination, but it wasn't. But that is not the direction in which i am going to go, instead I am taking into consideration that this is the beginning of the season, and the team is yet to reach optimal form. Similarities to last season? there were many, but if you take into consideration that, this is the first game of the season, and that the team, as well as the technical staff underwent a serious revamping, then there's probably nothing to worry about.

On to the game.

Quique's first 11:
Quim in goal; Maxi, Luisao, Katsouranis and Leo as the back four. In the midfield, it was Yebda in a more defensive role, while Carlos Martins, Amorim and Urreta assumed transition play roles. Up front, it was Aimar supporting Cardozo.
Nelson was the player that was chosen to not dress, perhaps anticipating his transfer to Betis.

It was a usual windy night in Vila do Conde, but if the wind wasn't enough there was also humidity in the air, which gave way to the moving in of fog into the area.
Benfica started the game strong wanting to take control of the game, but they soon came to the bus stop, where the Rio Ave bus was parked. Rio Ave defended well behind the ball and positioned themselves in a compact formation, a compact formation that would tighten up in their defensive third, cutting off passing lanes and giving very little room to the attacking Benfica players. Benfica's lack of objectivity and speed, failed to penetrate the Rio Ave defensive scheme. Only with long distance attempts by Carlos Martins was Benfica able to reach the Rio Ave goal. On the right Amorim seemed too retracted to create any type of danger, and Maxi, for as much as he tried, could not provide any type of incentive for his side mate to join him in the attack. Benfica controlled possession, at a medium pace, but it was the missed passes that took away from the game flow. Rio Ave even had the first opportunity at Quim's goal, an opportunity that was met by a close range Martins shot at the other end, following a insistence play from a corner. Martins, who had been Benfica's offensive spark, had to be subbed in at the 28th minute mark, shortly after he collided with Yebda, when both went for the same head ball. Martins looked stunned from the collision, and would end up giving way to Fellipe Bastos.
With Martins out, Benfica resorted to their left side, where Urreta and Leo, were finding ways to penetrate the final third, but their incursions would often result in clearances or corners. It was from one of those corners that Yebda hit the cross bar with a header, 36 minutes had gone by, and it was Benfica's most clear cut chance to open up the score sheet. The half would come to a close, and even though Benfica had had most of the initiative and control of the game, they were far from total domination. Cardozo had 1-2 touches on the ball the whole half, and Benfica's sloppy play seemed to be their biggest adversary. The defense was not challenged that much in the first half, but Quim was called to make a few important saves, that kept the score leveled.

Quique came out of the locker room with changes made, and a new tactical model. Nuno Gomes came in for Amorim, while Aimar dropped to the left side, pushing Urreta to the right side of the midfield, turning Benfica into the classical 4-4-2, if you will.
8 minutes into the half, Quim made a very difficult save, which resulted in a corner. From the ensuing corner, Rio Ave would go up on the scoreboard; after saving an unopposed header in the heart of the six yeard box, Quim could do very little to defend a loose ball that was scrapped away by the Rio Ave man.
"If you don't score, you'll get scored on", that saying couldn't be truer, and despite Rio Ave doing very little to be up on the scoreboard, they took advantage of an opportunity and capitalized. The Rio Ave goal seemed to have woken up Benfica, and 1 minute later in a level of play, that up until then, was unseen, Benfica scored. The play originates from a quick combination on the right side, in which Aimar combines well with Urreta, who crosses the ball into the box that ends up in front of Nuno Gomes, after the keeper couldn't fully put it out of danger. At the right spot at the right time, Nuno Gomes brought Benfica level.
After the goal, Benfica turned to the offense, and established dominance. With Aimar on the left, Benfica became more dangerous. I've written on this blog that I feel Aimar plays much better when he is facing the goal, not with his back to the goal. Aimar's combinations with Leo, and inward incursions seemed to give Benfica an unexplored attacking avenue. Balboa came in at the 70 minute mark for Urreta and seemed to bring the right side the same type of dynamic and aggressiveness that was going on on the left, but Benfica still wasn't able to serve Cardozo or Nuno Gomes in the danger area to create clear opportunities. Aimar became more dangerous as the game approached the end, he was clearly obstructed from a ball inside the box, the ref interpreted the play differently. In my opinion, it was a penalty, but the way the play developed it could have gone either way, it would depend on the refs criteria, so Mr Xistra waved play on. The last opportunity for Benfica came also from the feet of Aimar, who after combining with Nuno Gomes, saw himself in tight quarters with the goalie. The Argentinean missed the dink, and the opportunity to snag the 3 points slipped away. The game would come to an end and Benfica saw another season opener win slip away.

Individually

Quim - 8
Maxi - 7
Luisao -7
Katsouranis - 7
Leo - 8
Yebda - 7
Amorim - 6
Martins - 7
Urreta - 7
Aimar - 7
Cardozo - 6
Fellipe Bastos - 7
Nuno Gomes - 7
Balboa - 7

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Who was the Man of the Match

Quim Leo Yebda Aimar Carlos Martins Nuno Gomes

There's no doubt in my mind that there's still a lot of work to do, but starting off without a win always brings more pressure to the team. Benfica needs to be capable to play adversaries that will back themselves up, and defend themselves from beginning to end. With Reyes in the line up Benfica will clearly gain a weapon, but Reyes alone will not change what still needs to come together.
It'll be an interesting upcoming week for Benfica, the summer transfer window will be over on the 31st of August, and Benfica will need to be closing deals this week. For one, Nelson seems to have one foot at Betis already, minor details are preventing the transfer to take place, something that should happen very early this week. With Nelson leaving, Benfica will need to hit the market for a right back, despite Amorim being able to play the position. Then there's the forward situation, the Garcia trail seems to have gone cold, and Inter, might be inclined to sell Suazo rather than loaning him out. It'll be interesting to see who Benfica will sign, but after tonight, there's a serious deficiency at the forward position. Quique's plans are to bring Aimar into the midfield, he is clearly more productive playing forward from the midfield. He has been using him up front, until the forward he asked for is acquired. There will definitely be moves in the Benfica camp this week.