Napoli - Benfica Preview

Benfica gets their UEFA Cup campaign underway this Thursday with an away clash against one of Italy's historic clubs - Napoli. For Benfica, it's the start of a campaign, whose trophy is one of the targets for this 08/09 season.

Benfica has never won the UEFA Cup, but did came close in 82/83 when they were defeated by Anderlecht in the final fixture of the tournament. Back then, the final followed the home/away leg format, and Benfica lost 1-0 in Belgium and allowed Anderlecht to tie 1 all at the old Estadio da Luz.
Benfica has played 74 games in the UEFA Cup(new and old editions) they have put together a record of 34 wins, 22 losses(only 5 at home), and 18 ties in 74 games played.
It's Benfica's first appearance in the beginning stages of the UEFA Cup since 2004. Benfica reached the quarters and the round of 16 in their past two appearances, 06/07 and 07/08 respectively.

Napoli on the other hand, is very far from the powerhouse of the late eighties, when they had Maradona, Alemao and Careca in their ranks.
This year will be their second consecutive year in Serie A, as they were relegated in 00/01 and spent 6 years trying to get back into Italy's premiere division.
They reached the UEFA Cup this year after coming in 8th in the Serie A, and playing in the Intertoto Cup, and then a qualifying round, where they beat an Albanian team with an aggregate of 8-0.
They haven't made a UEFA Cup appearance since the 94/95 season. They did win the trophy once before in the 88/89 season when they beat Germany's Stuttgart. Their UEFA CUP tally is the following: 21 wins, 17 ties and 16 losses for a total of 54 games. Just like Benfica, Napoli has only lost 5 games at home in their UEFA CUP campaigns.

A tale of two teams, looking for the glory days they enjoyed once before. For Napoli, it is the re-birth from the ashes of a once European giant, and the chance to get back into Italy's top echelon.
For Benfica, it's the opportunity to re-establish themselves in Europe. After missing out on this year's Champions League qualifying, Benfica is looking to have a strong showing in the competition, and go far in a competition that is full of big name clubs this year.

Here's Quique's first European Game roster:

Keepers - Moreira, Quim and Moretto;

Defenders - Léo, Luisão, Maxi Pereira, Sidnei, Jorge Ribeiro and Miguel Vítor;

Midfielders - Balboa, Binya, Carlos Martins, Di María, Katsouranis, Reyes, Rúben Amorim, Urreta and Yebda

Forwards - Nuno Gomes and Suazo.

20 players in all, only 18 will be able to dress. One of the keepers and a field player should watch the game from the Sao Paolo stands, the keeper should be Moretto, while the field player will come down to a game time decision by Quique.

David Luiz, Cardozo, Aimar and Fellipe Bastos stayed in Lisbon along with Mantorras and Makukula whose names weren't even signed with UEFA for the tournament. Aimar and David Luiz, continue to recover from their respective injuries. Cardozo is serving the two remaining game bans of his 3 game sentence. Fellipe Bastos stayed in Lisbon by Quique's option.

While there's a few doubts on the line up Quique will field on Thursday, one thing is for sure, Suazo will make his Benfica debut.

Here's the probable line up:



One doubt in the back, Katsouranis or Sidnei? With Katsouranis having to sit in the next Liga Sagres game, it wouldn't surprise me if Quique hasn't been grooming Sidnei to be Luisao's partner in the back.
I can't say for sure if Katsouranis performance against porto cost him his starting job, but Sidnei might be looking at a valuable opportunity, Yes it is a high risk game, but if Quique feels he's ready he'll be in the line up. Sidnei's contribution off the bench against porto was praised by Quique, so it's very possible.
Nothing else new in the back, Maxi, Luisao and Leo should round up the back line.

In the midfield, Yebda and Martins will be in the middle. There's talk that Katsouranis might start in the midfield sector, but i don't see Quique breaking up the Martins/Yebda tandem. On the flanks, Reyes should start on the left, while on the right lies the other big doubt. DiMaria has been seen up front supporting Suazo in training, if that is the case, then the spot on the right side of the midfield might be up for grabs.
It'll all depend on how Quique game plan but there's 2 solid options and a more remote one. Option 1 - Amorim. Amorim brings a more defensive capability to the right of the midfield, he is not your typical winger but the dynamic he brings to the right interior midfield sector,where he can step into Martin's spot, if Martins ventures out, is something that has been seen.
Option 2 - Balboa. Balboa is a pure winger, that can bring the same type of aggressiveness to the right, that Reyes brings to the left, but playing away in a hostile environment, Quique might go with a more conservative approach.
Remember, objective number one will be not giving up any goals. I can see either Balboa or Urreta(Option 3) come into the game later, depending on how the game plays out. But in my opinion, it'll be Amorim on the right.

Up front, it'll be Suazo and DiMaria, with DiMaria's positioning and movement being the two things to watch for. DiMaria is more of a winger, but he did show up in the supporting forward position last year on a few occasions.
Being in the middle and being has mobile as he is, he will most likely get a lot of touches, and if he happens to be on, we can expect a good game from him.
Not much to add about Suazo, he returns to Italy, a place and a team he is familiar with, where he will not lack motivation. It'll be interesting to see how he has gotten to know his team mates, and how they connect.
Definitely a fast front line for Benfica, no box presence, but fast.

There's no doubt Benfica will step into a hostile atmosphere, but they can't let the hostility condition their game. They need to play a solid game, with little mistakes, and play to the final whistle. Napoli's team fights to the finish, they were able to turn the score on Fiorentina this weekend, they will not take this game lightly.
Benfica needs to assume their favoritism in this game, play as favorites, and come away with a positive result, with the very minimum being a one goal tie.


82/83 runners up.