Benfica - Metalist Preview

Benfica will close out the UEFA Cup's group stages round with a game against Ukraine's Metalist. With qualification for the next round nothing short of impossible, Benfica will try to close out the group stages with the one thing they haven't done over the course of the past three games, a win.
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thanks Pedro SLB


For the final game, Quique has called on the following players:

Keepers: Moreira and Moretto;

Defenders: Maxi Pereira, Miguel Vítor, David Luiz, Sidnei, Luisão;

Midfielders: Binya, Felipe Bastos, Katsouranis, Yebda, Balboa, Aimar;

Forwards: Cardozo, Urreta, Di María, Nuno Gomes, Suazo.

Quim continues to be given time to "heal". In the defense, Ribeiro is still recuperating. In the midfield, Amorim and Reyes are the two big absences, as Fellipe Bastos returns. Up front, DiMaria returns after the injury that has kept him away for over 1 month.

Quique has had a realistic approach to the game, and Benfica's possibilities. Benfica would need to beat Metalist by 8 goals and hope that Hertha and Olympiakos tie, a very tall order. Metalist has not given up a goal in the three matches they have played up to this point, it'd be hard to think they would give up 8. If you want to go a little further, they have only given up 12 goals in 17 matches domestically.

Benfica will play to win without a question, my doubts will fall on what system Quique use? Will he venture out with the 4-4-2 diamond or the classic 4-4-2, or perhaps a 4-3-3?

Moreira, Maxi, Luisao, Sidnei and David Luiz, will be the defense, the rest of the team will depend on Quique's choices. Cardozo, will most likely get a chance to play up front, while DiMaria will most likely return. It's very possible that Quique will line up with 2 pure wingers more advanced on the field, spreading out the two defensive midfielders. Aimar should act as the playmaker.

Although the result is irrelevant to go through(unless it's 8-0), a win, and a good performance, would leave the fans feeling good about the team.
After crashing out of the Portuguese Cup, Benfica will now need to pick up momentum domestically and assure the fans first place is to keep, and only good performances will make that a reality.