Benfica - Setubal Preview

After a nightmarish midweek performance in Greece, Benfica gets back to domestic competition with a chance to take sole possession of first place with a win. Setubal is Benfica's next adversary, as they will travel to Estadio da Luz still looking for their first away win. Currently in 10th, Setubal has only been able to score one goal away from home in 4 games for the Liga Sagres, they have tied one game, while losing the other 3 all the while only being able to get their first win of the season last weekend.
It's a very different Setubal from the Setubal we saw last year, winners of the League Cup and semi finalists in the Portuguese Cup. Gone from last year are some key player such as Pitbull, Eduardo and Jorginho, they have also appointed Dauto Faquira as this years coach, so a program still trying to get off the ground with their main objective being a place in the middle of the table.
Nonetheless, they will come to Estadio da Luz with full intentions to go toe to toe with Benfica.

For this game Quique has called on the following players:

Keepers: Quim and Moreira

Defenders: Maxi,David Luiz,Jorge Ribeiro,Sidnei and Miguel Vitor.

Midfielders: Katsouranis,Reyes,Balboa,Fellipe Bastos,Ruben Amorim,Urreta,Yebda and Carlos Martins.

Forwards: Cardozo,Mantorras,Makukula, and Suazo.

19 players in all, one will watch the game from the stands.
In the defense, Luisao and Leo are not available for this match, the first one is still recuperating from an injury he suffered against Academica, the second one is still in Brazil,properly authorized by Benfica, following his dad's medical condition.
In the midfield, Aimar also has physical limitations, DiMaria is still injured and Binya seems to have returned from Greece with a small injury.
Up front Nuno Gomes is also injured, and unavailable for this game. Fellipe Bastos fills in the midfield, while Makukula and the surprising Mantorras complete the list up front. It's Mantorras first game roster this year.

I'm sure Quique will have his usual surprise, but here's my projected 11:
Quim in goal, Maxi, Sidnei, David Luiz and Jorge Ribeiro from right to left. Ybda and Katsouranis in the middle, Amorim and Reyes in the flanks. Suazo and Cardozo up front with the Honduran playing in a more mobile role.

You can argue for Miguel Vitor in the middleof the defense instead of David Luiz, as a result of Thursday's bad game, but what message would that send to the young Brazilian? Sure the central defending tandem didn't work as well as planned on Thursday, but let's not forget that Luiz is coming off a lengthy injury and is still lacking competitive rhythm, pulling the plug on his reps makes no sense at all. He can also appear on the left instead of Ribeiro, but that would also go against logging in precious minutes with Sidnei in the middle. The secret lies in the minutes, the more minutes these two play together the better they will get, as they will need to get to know each other's positioning and tendencies. The argument that they are both very young and don't have the right amount of experience can go right out the door as Miguel Vitor is younger than Luiz. The third option is Katsouranis, but it's unlikely, what message would that send to Luiz and Vitor.
This week "O Jogo"(a porto biased publication) reported that Katsouranis did not play in Greece because he refused to play center back. Benfica has already denied that story, and has issued a statement requesting that the publication investigate the story, its source and make the proper correction. A strong stance by Benfica's media relations department, who has banned all elements from Portuguese News Agency Lusa from entering any of Benfica's installations, also because of false reporting.

I don't see much change in the midfield, unless Quique changes the midfield to accommodate the numbers he plans on fielding up front. Suazo and Cardozo seem like the two obvious choices for the front line, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of Quique only playing with one forward and a more stacked midfield, with emphasis on two higher wingers.



Here's another variation of the 4-4-2:

I haven't hit a starting 11 yetin my previews, i'm hoping to increase my chances by exploring the possibilities. I think all three tactical dispositions can work, as Benfica currently has the right personnel.

Monday is a holiday in Portugal, expect a good crowd at Estadio da Luz, not to mention that after the defeat on Thursday, there is a clear movement by Benfiquistas to keep supporting the team. In his pre-game conference, Quique stated that the team can't walk a lone, a clear challenge to all supporters to get behind the team.
With a win Benfica can leapfrog Leixoes and take over sole posession of first place, a position they have not been in since the end of the 04/05 season, when Benfica won the title, precisely 1,289 days ago. The motivation is there, the fans will be there, the team needs to rise up and say "Present".