Benfica 0 - Galatasaray 2

I'll be brief on my commentary, as i only got to listen to the game through the radio, as once again and as always during a week day, professional commitments do not allow me to watch the game. An important game for Benfica as i mentioned in my preview, with a win against group leaders Galatasaray, Benfica would have taken sole possession of first place, being that Hertha and Metalist played to a no goal tie earlier. Instead, Benfica could not take advantage of the home factor and the 40,000 plus that supported the team to the final whistle, falling to a mature Turkish side, who had come to Lisbon hoping not to lose, instead they come away with 3 points and a foot into next round.


I don't think i have hit a single starting 11 all this season in my previews. Perhaps my logic is upside down, or perhaps it's just a sign that i don't know jack shit about what i write about.

Quique started the following 11:

Quim in goal. Maxi, Luisao, Sidnei and Ribeiro in the back. Yebda and Katsouranis in the middle. Reyes and DiMaria on the flanks. Nuno Gomes supported Suazo up front.

I can understand Quique giving Aimar a rest, after all he comes from a lengthy pause and caution is necessary, as the season is young. Nuno Gomes is Aimar's natural substitute in the front line, so far so good.
Then Quique opted to give DiMaria the start on the right flank. I don't have anything against DiMaria, I think he is a player with tremendous talent and potential, but still wet behind the ears, but that's neither here no there, my point is - If Amorim has been playing well on the right why not keep him?
A few posts ago I wrote about squad balance, and its importance to the team's overall performance. In my opinion the inclusion of DiMaria on the right affects the center of the midfield in two ways, for one he does not defend as he should, and second, with DiMaria being a more aggressive player, Yebda will have to limit his attacking movements, pulling him out of his natural movements on the field. Amorim on the other hand, provides cohesiveness to the midfield, as he is tactically sound, and occupies defensive spaces in the midfield, allowing Yebda to do his thing. I just didn't get it.

From what i heard and read, Benfica came out slow but eventually got going after they sorted out how Galatasaray positioned themselves on the field. When the half time whistle sounded, Benfica could have very well have been up on the scoreboard. The beginning of the second half imitated the beginning of the first and Benfica went down a goal at the 52' mark. Quique made his first substitution 5 minutes later as he switched Aimar with Reyes, a switch that kept the Argentine in the midfield and not in the attacking line. Cardozo made his way onto the field at the 60 minute mark for Nuno Gomes. 4 minutes later it was Carlos Martin's turn, as he came on for Yebda, who had a bad night. 3 changes in 7 minutes, Martins brough a little more to the team, but Aimar on the right side of the midfield seemed to be a waste. The Turkish side scored their second goal shortly after and their maturity and defensive style was enough to keep Benfica at bay, in a night that not everything went well for Benfica. The fans staid with the team and sent off the team in to the lockerroom with applause, something that's rarely seen. That shows how much Benfiquistas expect from this team, they fully understand that the team is still in a construction phase, but have given enough signs of what they can do. It was one of those, you did well, but unlucky, we'll get them next time message.

Now Benfica will have to go to Greece with the need to win, and that wasn't what Quique wanted, but nothing is lost and the team is capable enough to get through the second phase of the UEFA Cup.