Benfica 8 - Setubal 1 - Old School

8-1, something you don't see everyday, as a matter of fact last time Benfica won by an identical score it was back in the 82/83 season. Not a rarity but also not very common for professional top flight teams to play to such a lop sided game.
The game was just that lop sided, and don't let the "1" mislead you, the truth is that Benfica dominated the whole game, and could have very well have scored more.


JJ repeated Guimaraes' starting 11 with, Quim in goal, Amorim, Luisao, David Luiz and Shaffer in the back. Javi Garcia, DiMaria, Ramires and Aimar, Saviola and Cardozo up front.

Aimar who was doubtful for this game, started and seemed unaffected by any type of injury that had kept him out of training.

About the game, I'm not going to go into my usual write up on the game instead i will summarize it as this:
The game started, Benfica attacked, they scored, attacked, scored, attacked, scored, attacked, scored, attacked, scored, Half time.
The teams started the second half, Benfica attacked, scored, attacked, scored, attacked scored, and attacked some more, final whistle.

5 goals in the first half, 3 goals in the second, in what was a night to remember. Everything went well for the team, and we seemed to hit high gear. In the familiar style we have seen in pre-season, the team played a quick one touch game, and when we play like that it's very easy to not win.
Cardozo got on the successful PK track. Garcia got his first goal with a Benfica jersey and assisted Cardozo for his second. Aimar scored on a master piece, and Ramires showed why Benfica payed 7.5 million for him, he is truly a warrior, never stopping, never giving up the fight.

Notable how even after being ahead by 6 the team never toned down their pace and looked for the goal with every chance they got until the final whistle. Off course when you have a manager on the technical box, constantly giving the team directions and correcting positioning, it's easy to remain focused.
It's very easy to look at Setubal and conclude that this team is a young team lacking some maturity, and experience, hence dismissing the blow out. But the truth is that on the opposite end, Benfica looked like a fine tuned machine, and neither Setubal nor any other team could bring this team to a hault.

Memorable game, let's hope the team can continue showing and evolving from what they have shown us so far... I won't take anymore of your time below, is one for the ages.

Enjoy.
Goals
1-0 - Garcia - 16
2-0 - Luisao - 21
3-0 - Cardozo - 29
4-0 - Aimar - 35
5-0 - Ramires - 37
6-0 - Cardozo - 65
7-0 - Cardozo - 75
8-0 - Nuno Gomes - 85