Guimaraes 0 - Benfica 1 - Last Minute Gasp

Benfica got their first win of the season this past weekend against Guimaraes. Perhaps not the prettiest of wins, as the team showed themselves at a lower level than they have accustomed us to. Maybe the pre-season spoiled us, but the truth is that when you are used to seeing the team perform at a consistent level, pre-season or not, you have to worry whether this was an off day, or does team really have the
inabilities they showed.




For this game JJ fielded the following 11:
Quim in goal. Amorim, Luisao, David Luiz and Shaffer in the back. Javi Garcia, DiMaria, Aimar and Ramires. Saviola and Cardozo up front.

Benfica started well, pressuring high, playing fast, but soon slid right into the Guimaraes' defensive scheme. Almost like pieces in a puzzle, the Guimaraes men stepped right into the areas of action of each Benfica player and canceled Benfica's initial surge, with tight marking. With Aimar at a level below the normal, Benfica lacked someone who could serve as a catalyst to Benfica's offense. DiMaria who seemed to be the
only one trying to make a difference was covered tight and given very little room to create. Saviola looked too static, and both him and Cardozo were easy targets, falling into the Guimaraes defensive web, that kept the Guimaraes defensive line intact. That was the Benfica of
the first half, barring a chance Aimar had one on one with the keeper, i can't say that Benfica did much else to come out of the half ahead in the scoreboard.

In the second half, JJ subbed in Keirrison for Saviola, i'm not really sure if the change was made because of a physical problem, or if JJ felt that Saviola was unable to do what was being asked of him. But the truth is that with JJ there are no "Sacred Cows" and he makes the changes he needs to make, unfortunately Keirrison brought very little to Benfica, part because the ball didn't get too him, part because Benfica was having a hard time linking the midfield build up with their front men, part because the young Brazilian, much like Saviola, showed himself too static.

JJ didn't wait the full 15 minutes to see if the team was reacting to his instructions, and pulled Aimar for Coentrao at the 56th minute mark, hoping the youngster could spark Benfica's attack. Ramires slid to the middle and Coentrao and DiMaria stayed on the flanks. Coentrao seemed to bring the team a little bit of fresh air, but the real chance to shake off Benfica's offensive lethargy, came falling from the sky as the referee called an obvious handball inside the box. It was the break that Benfica needed, a penalty kick and the ejection of the culprit as a result of accumulated yellows. But it wasn't meant to be as Cardozo missed his second pk in three opportunities, and Benfica was once again forced to go looking for the goal.
Despite playing against 10 men after the 61st minute, Benfica was now having more difficulties getting into the final third as Guimaraes closed up, and backed into their defense, resorting to the counter. Benfica on the other hand, could not create or penetrate, and as the time ticked down, the team was losing the little bit of lucidity they had, as emotions were now taking over. With Nuno Gomes already on the field Benfica was even lucky that that they didn't suffer a deathblow, as Guimaraes hit the post and could have gotten past Quim on the rebound.
Luck would once again touch Benfica, as Coentrao found Ramires unmarked in the dying minutes of the game, the Brazilian elevated and headed the ball into the net, giving Benfica the goal they needed to win the game, the final whistle would sound shortly.

Not a pretty game for Benfica, defensively the team played well, but offensively the team was very far from the quality they have shown this season. The fighting team spirit is commendable as the team fought until the end, even when realizing that things weren't going their way. They fought and fought and found a way.
JJ stated that it's wins like this that win championships, but he also needs to have the presence of mind that these type of performances don't always win games, but i believe he would take an ugly win over a pretty tie anytime.

It's no surprise that every team we will play this year will have done their homework, and studied our team very well. They will be prepared to defend against us, if we are to win the championship we have to be able to change our game, and to find ways to win games past any defensive schemes that are thrown at us.