Belenenses 0 - Benfica 4 - (Steam)Rolling Along

After the 8 goal victory over Setubal, Benfica repeated their generosity by leaving 4 goals in Belenenses' nets.
In a game where Benfica wasn't as dominating as the game against Setubal, it was still an impressive display of what the team is capable of.
With JJ making 1 change to the team that played against Setubal, the team was once again at the level they have shown this early in the season, and when the team plays at this level, it's very hard to stop them.


JJ line up the following 11:
Quim in goal. Amorim, Luisao, David Luiz and Peixoto from right to left in the back. Javi Garcia, DiMaria, Ramires and Aimar in the midfield. Saviola and Cardozo up front.
Cesar Peixoto was the only change to the team, as he replaced Shaffer on the left side of the defense.

Benfica started the game well, but it was Belenenses that threatened first, perhaps their 1 of 2 threats all game. After that it was all Benfica, with Saviola opening up the scoreboard with a goal for the highlight reel. Saviola receives the ball in Benfica's midfield circle and takes it all the way to goal. Saviola benefited from some passiveness by the Beleneses defense, still, all merit goes to Saviola as he was able to able to finish the play strong after a 60 yard sprint with the ball at his feet, and at a time where 3 defenders + the keeper were defending against him.
Following the goal Benfica continued to dominate, but lacked some of the accuracy in the final pass, which prevented Benfica to go into the half with a more comfortable lead. Yet, with the level of play, and with the domination Benfica was having, there were very little doubts as to would emerge as the victors at the end of the game.

The second half, was more of a continuation of the first, but with goals to show. Cardozo got his 4th of the season at the 58th minute, following a nice combination play between Amorim and Saviola, with the Argentine serving Cardozo for the easy tap in.
Cardozo who hadn't been having a good game until that point, proved that sometimes you just need to be in the right spot, at the right time, that is what center forwards do. He would eventually come out at the 63rd minute mark, giving his spot to Keirrison. Coentrao followed Keirrison into the game, at the 67th minute mark, coming in for the exhausted DiMaria. Benfica continued their domination and would get their 3rd in the 73rd minute, following a free kick by Aimar, which found Javi Garcia for an unopposed shealder(mix of shoulder and head). It was the second goal in as many games for the young Spaniard who has been reported as being under observation by Spanish national team coach, Del Bosque. The Spaniard would give his spot 6 minutes laster to the newly returned Maxi, who got valuable minutes at right back, as Amorim slid into the defensive midfielder spot.
The fourth goal came in the 88th minute as Ramires had another easy tap in following an assist by Coentrao. The Brazilian has now scored in every game in the Liga Sagres Benfica has played.

Total domination by Benfica, who could have come out of Belem with more than 4. As i mentioned, there were some deficiencies in the final pass chapter, but i believe that was due to the two week stoppage and some competitive rustiness.
It's impressive how much the high quick pressure benefits the team. The large amount of turnovers it causes, and subsequent quick counters it initiates, are one of Benfica's biggest traits this year.

If JJ stated he would have Benfica playing double of what they played last year, well he has done it. Regardless of the quality of our opponents, the differences are very visible and everyone can see. The team plays attractive effective and entertaining futebol, it's no wonder that wherever the team goes, the fans follow with anticipation. This past Sunday it was the biggest home attendance for belenenses in 20 years, and just like Belem, i suspect we will see this wave of support for the team throughout the country.