Rocking the Boat

The assault has began. With Benfica in first place for the first time since the 04/05 season, and their premature exit from the Portuguese Cup, Rircord felt that this was a great time to spark up controversy and project a fictitious atmosphere in the Benfica camp to their fans.

On Tuesday it was Cardozo who made the cover, as Rircord decided to take an answer to an obvious baited question and launch a controversy of their own about Cardozo and his playing time.
While leaving the club's Christmas luncheon, Oscar was asked about his playing time, and he responded by saying that he did not know why he wasn't getting more playing time, and that the proper person to answer that question was Quique. A perfectly normal answer to a question that is always a bait to a gaffe in wording by any player, or an out of context statement by a borderline "pink" reporter. In this instance Cardozo had a perfect answer, but the paper decided to context it in a resentful manner.
As a player like any other on the squad Cardozo works hard daily to be ready to start, if he is not part of Quique's starting 11 it's because Quique has his reasons. Why would this be the reason for controversy?
As a professional you need to be ready to accept you manager's choices, and this is what Cardozo has done. But Rircord has launched the story in the way that leads you to believe that the player resents the coach's choices. Something very far from the truth. Rircord even goes as far as to state that according to a Benfica source the player will be fined for this comment.

Making today's cover is Leo, who has been in Brazil following his parent's medical condition. "Leo possibly out on a free" is today's headline. According to Rircord, Fluminense might be the player's destination, stating that Benfica would unilaterally rescind Leo's contract, avoiding paying the player an indemnity and saving 1 million in future salaries. That is all fine and dandy, and it all sounds great, but I very much doubt that Benfica would take part in a deal that would let Leo go on a free. After all, if(and that's a big IF) the player wants to stay in Brazil, why would Benfica bend over backwards for the player, just to avoid indemnity, isn't he the one who wants to stay in Brazil? Whose desire would be to breach the contract? Not Benfica's, that's for sure, regardless of the salaries Benfica would be saving, which most likely would be put towards acquiring another left back, and not in the Reyes or Suazo acquiring fund.
Sounds to me like another plot to undervalue the importance and the competency of Rui Costa.
Today's "A bola" also reports that Brazilian champs Santos have also entered the race to acquire Leo. The player's agent confirms informal talks with interested clubs, while the player's lawyer denies any type of negotiations, while stating that Leo intends to fulfill his obligations towards Benfica.

After being in a period of uncertainty about his Benfica future towards the end of last season, Leo was offered a 1+1 by Rui Costa who stated that Leo was a key member of the squad, and part of the team's project. Humbled with the club's actions, Leo embarked into the new season with a sense of belonging but lost his job to Jorge Ribeiro in the middle of September. Quique justified the player's inability to execute what he wanted from a left back in his playing system, as the reason why Leo had lost his job.
I'm not totally aware of the condition in which Leo's parent's are, but one thing is certain, last year the club was much less tolerant and unmovable in regards to Leo's wishes to be with his parents. It seems odd to me that Leo would turn his back on the club, regardless of whether he feels he is at the end of his career, and impressing a coach is the last thing he wants to do.
Leo has always been a consummate professional, and I'm sure he will do what is right by Benfica.

In the meantime, expect more destabilizing news about Benfica. Let's not forget that the mini silly season is sneaking up, as the papers will fill Santa's sled with so many names, that not even Rudolph and company will be able to pull it.