Academica - Benfica Game Preview

November 24, 2007 - That was the last time Academica lost at home for the Portuguese league. Benfica, who was coincidentally the team that beat Academica that day, will try to put an end to that streak this Sunday.
Academica is currently 11th in the Liga Sagres with 9 points. Benfica on the other hand, will need to win if they are to keep pace with leaders Leixoes who won this past Friday. Historically, Benfica has a pretty good track record in Coimbra, having only lost 5 times in 56 matches for the Portuguese League.


For this game, Quique has called on 19 players:

Keepers: Moreira and Quim
Defenders: Luisão, David Luiz, Jorge Ribeiro, Sidnei, Maxi Pereira and Miguel Vitor
Midfielders: Katsouranis, Ruben Amorim, Bynia, Yebda, Aimar, Carlos Martins
Forwards: Reyes, Cardozo, Nuno Gomes and Suazo.

In the absence column, Leo remains in Brazil following his father's medical situation and DiMaria continues to nurse an injury. Returning to the roster squad are Miguel Vitor and Ruben Amorim. Ruben who had been struggling with a couple of injuries that had kept him out of the squad for the past games, seems to be ready to go.
19 players altogether, which means one will be chosen to watch the game from the stands. Quique selected 19 players as both Martins and Amorim were question marks as to their health. Both players were given the medical department's positive avail, but up until Saturday, trained under observation from that same department.

Tough to say whether Quique will go with the diamond or classic 4-4-2. Quique has publicly stated that Amorim gives more defensive consistency to the classic 4-4-2, Amorim's health will certainly be a factor in his decision.

The back four should remain as is, despite the imminent return by David Luiz. It's hard to imagine Quique breaking up the Luisao/Sidnei partnership. Sidnei has been performing well above anyone's expectations, while Luisao is one of the team leaders, and one of Quique's mouthpieces on the field. The only way I'd see Luisao getting a rest would be if Quique decided to rest him after his mid-week match against Portugal. In the midfield, Yebda and Katsouranis should be in the middle while the two flank players will depend a lot on what system Quique will go with. In the classic 4-4-2, Reyes and Amorim will be on the flanks, while up front Aimar should support Nuno Gomes. Suazo who had a tough match against Mexico on Wednesday on a very heavy soaked pitch should most likely get a rest. I wouldn't count out Cardozo either, but at this point it seems that Nuno Gomes is going through a good period of form, and should be a strong candidate for the front line.

Considering that Academica hasn't lost a home game for the Portuguese League in over a year, this game should be anything but an easy win. Benfica is coming off 3 consecutive wins for the Liga Sagres, something they could not do all of last season. It was also during last season that Academica inflicted Benfica's worst loss, when they beat Benfica 3-0 at Estadio da Luz. Although this year's team has nothing to do with last year's, i wouldn't write off any intentions of retribution, by this year's squad.
I have written here before about the importance of the present period for the team. The confidence from the team's current table position and current emotional stability area vital to get through this phase of the season. The team will need to go out and put together a positive, and consistent performance against Academica, in order to carry momentum into this Thursday's match when they play their UEFA Cup future against Olympiakos.
Despite all of the games being connected, the team will have to take it one step at the time, and i'm sure Quique has warned the team against looking ahead, as a win this Sunday is fundamental to a good result on Thursday.