One Week Later....

This past Tuesday Benfica put an end to their Swiss camp.
With a lot of work, and 2 games in the bag, Benfica flew directly to Algarve where they will enter the next stage of the pre-season with a participation in the Guadiana tournament. One week after the Swiss camp, there are some conclusions to be made, some obvious and expected, some pleasant surprises.


It's still too early to start thinking that the championship won't evade us this year, but if you had the opportunity to watch the two pre-season games against Sion and Shakhtar, and liked what you saw, you have to be feeling good about the positive start.
Add to the fact that Luisao and Ramires are yet to arrive, plus the fact that Sidnei, David Luiz and Ruben Amorim weren't able to give their contribute, and... well perhaps we should take it one step at the time, but the truth is, from what i've seen, there's great potential in this team.

The first game of the pre-season came on Saturday against Sion, who gets their season underway this Saturday. JJ's first 11 was composed of Moreira in goal, Maxi Pereira, Roderick Miranda, Miguel Vítor and Sepsi from right to left; Yebda, Carlos Martins, Di María and Aimar in the midfield diamond; Saviola and Cardozo up front.
Not a very surprising line up, considering the limited options for the middle of the defense, and the obvious choices from the top of the diamond forward. There were indications that Shaffer could have started on the left but it was Sepsi who got the start.
It's tough to really draw any conclusions from this line up, part of that because the next day the team had another game, but here's a few observations.
Moreira's start, can very well be an indication that he is the front runner to the starting goalkeeper at this time.
The midfield diamond will probably change a bit as personnel goes, but the right idea is there. Aimar is back where he's supposed to be, that is the position i spent a whole last season writing about as his best and natural. It's very obvious the more touches Aimar can have on the ball the better chance he has to create.
DiMaria seems determined to make this year his coming out year. His interior positioning gives him more freedom to make good things happen, as the space he has to play with, is not as limited as if he was by the line. He also has a chance to be more involved in the game, and will not go missing minutes at the time.
Coming out for the second half and up 2-0, courtesy of Cardozo and Saviola, JJ changed up the team, and the difference was noticeable. 2 mistakes allowed the home team to tie the game, and made us realize that it was only the first game of the pre-season. Quim gave up an unusual goal, and Yebda compromised the team by giving the ball up in a forbidden zone, normal mistakes for the first game of the season, but mistakes that will not go unnoticed nonetheless.

The second game brought very little changes as far as the starting line up was concerned. Quim was in goal, instead of Moreira, and both Patric and Shaffer made their starting debuts against a more competitive Shakhtar in detriment of Maxi and Sepsi.
Quim and Yebda, regardless of their mistakes in the previous game, were given the all important vote of confidence, because this early in the season, it's a lot more important to construct unity and build confidence than it is to ostracize a player, and in that aspect JJ has earned valuable points in my book.
Just like the first game, Benfica had very good periods of the first half, impressive at times, with very interesting plays. Cardozo was once again the first name on the score sheet, has he connected with a a picture perfect Saviola cross. Martins would put Benfica 2 goals up following a well taken free kick.
The second half brought the usual changes and the emergence of Moretto, who not only saved a penalty kick, but was also at the end of a few very good saves. This time Benfica held the lead and got their first win of the season.

Here's my balance of this week:
-The goalkeeping spot is as open, as open can be, while Quim and Moreira seemed to be the front runners, Moretto seems to have emerged as a serious contender.

-While Patric seems to add depth to the right side of the defense, Shaffer seems like a serious candidate to the starting job, as soon as he gets past the adaptation period. Let's not forget that the Argentinean is well ahead of his team mates on a physical level as the Argentine season has finished not too long ago.

- Impressive showing by Roderick, who despite his very young age and his green status, has showed himself at a respectable level in both games.

- If there's a position where Benfica is seriously lacking is the defensive midfielder position. Yebda, and Amorim are not true defensive midfielders and Bastos is still lacking the maturity that's required of a player who has such a big role on a team that plays in this tactical disposition.

DiMaria, Aimar, Saviola and Cardozo can very well produce beautiful things, lets hope they stay healthy and there are worthy substitutes.

- A positive week, in my opinion, at a stage when the results are what matters least, Benfica was able to put together good performances especially in both first halves.
There is a clear difference in this team, and a fast emerging identity. JJ promised double of what the team played last season, and there is a clear growing distancing between the two already.

- Shame we could not have the squad at 100%, as i would have like to have seen David Luiz, Sidnei and Ruben Amorim in action.

Next up is the Guadiana Tournament, and another chance to see the team in action.