Benfica 4 - Poltava 0 - Too Strong.

Benfica practically guaranteed a spot in the Europa league with a convincing 4-0 over Ukraine's Poltava. In what was an anticipated easy game for Benfica, the team worked hard to justify the result, and go into the Ukraine with one foot in the next round.

2 changes in JJ's line up from this past weekend, Shaffer started at left back, while David Luiz slid to the middle, pushing Sidnei to the pine. Coentrao started in midfield in place of the injured Martins and ahead of Ramires, who just came out of injury. Those were the only two changes, as the remaining 9 all started this past weekend.

Onto the game...
Benfica started the game with a little bit of apprehension towards a lower caliber, yet unknown opponent. Perhaps because of not knowing the opponent that well, Benfica's start was one of expectation, and took a bit to establish their game. which most likely conditioned team's start of the game. Benfica was looking for a team determined to get a good away result and therefore with a defensive posture, but that wasn't the case with Poltava as they showed themselves agressive and with high lines on the pitch.
With JJ giving plenty of instructions into the field, Benfica started to adjust their positioning and little by little started getting into the game but it took the team close to 30 mins to adjust. It was right around that time, that Coentrao put a ball behind the Poltava defense and DiMaria showed up between the two central defenders, to win their backs and to find himself one on one with the keeper, who he beat with a chip into the far side of the goal.
It was the confirmation of Benfica's ascendent in the game, an ascendent that could have very well have taken the team into the locker room up by more.

The second half was the continuation of Benfica's late first half domination, and it didn't take long for the scoreboard to work again as Cardozo converted a penalty following a foul on Saviola in the penalty area. Staying true to his usual penalty taking style, Cardozo blasted a shot into the goal. After having missed against Maritimo, Cardozo knows he has more success when he hits the ball hard.
3 minutes later(57') Benfica would put the game away for good as Cardozo found Saviola in the 6 yard box for a tap in.
It was the corollary of Benfica's domination, while the Ukrainian side had surprised Benfica with the way they started, Benfica made adjustments and was now showing their favoritism.
Not even with a comfortable lead did Benfica let up, JJ subbed in Ramires for Coentrao at the 62 minute mark, and later Weldon for Cardozo at the 75th minute. Weldon, who is quickly taking on good luck charm status, needed only 2 minutes to close out the scoreboard at 4.
Benfica cruised to the end of the game as JJ used his last sub at the 80th minute, when he debuted Benfica's last acquisition Cesar Peixoto for Saviola.

Benfica takes a comfortable lead into the second leg to the Ukraine in 2 weeks time, and while the lead is in fact comfortable, Benfica's qualification for the next round can't be assumed as done. JJ has already said that he will use that game to give other players competitive rhythm, but that the game can't be taken lightly.
Keirrison who made the bench for the first time, did at one point warm up during the game, but was not called to play. He can very well get his first start with a Benfica Jersey in the Ukraine.