Benfica - Academica - Game Preview

Today Benfica initiates their title defense against Academica. Season kick off games haven't been good to Benfica in recently memory, as in the past 10 years, Benfica has only won their inaugural games twice - 02/03 and 04/05. In the last 4 years Benfica has started slow with all draws. Certainly today at Estadio da Luz JJ and the boys will try to invert past tendencies, and start off with a win. 50,000+ are expected today at the Estadio da Luz, expectations are high, following last season's stellar campaign, but there are still a few questions as to whether this team can repeat last years feat.



Academica comes into Lisbon, with a brand new coach in Jorge Costa, after losing Vilas Boas to porto, last season under the Morinho's clone guidance, they finished 11, 10 points above the relegation line. A team with a lot of tradition but without many means, Academica's first objective is first tier maintenance, Europe is a high plateau for the "Students", but this early in the season, the success of their will depend heavily on the players they added, and what Jorge Costa is able to do with this team.

As for Benfica, they will try to erase a bad image left in the Super Cup, and live up to their high offense reputation. Last year Benfica routed Academica 4-0 at Estadio da Luz, coincidently the same result the team opened up the the 38/39 season, also against Academica.

Here's the game roster for tomorrow's game versus Academica

Keepers: Roberto and Júlio César;

Defenders: Maxi Pereira, Sidnei, David Luiz, Fábio Coentrão, Roderick, César Peixoto and Ruben Amorim;

Midfielders: Javi Garcia, Aimar, Airton, Carlos Martins and Felipe Menezes;

Forwards: Cardozo, Saviola, Jara, Weldon and Nuno Gomes.

Notable absences are the ones of Luisao, Kardec and Gaitan, who have been hurt, and did not recuperate in time to be available for this game.

19 players in all, so once will watch the game from the stands.

The big question lies again on what disposition JJ will go with. While the 4-3-3 looked to have potential in the last game of the pre-season, it was the 4-4-2 that was defeated by porto. With the roster still missing 1-2 key pieces, JJ's decision will depend on how he feels the team can defeat this Academica team.

Last year's Academica relied heavily on the counter, but with quick transitions and not long passes, I'm sure Costa will try to take advantage pf the abilities of their players. The 4-3-3 might not be the best disposition to play against a team who relies on the counter, but it'll remain to be seen what Academica presents itself. With that in mind here's what i think JJ will line up.



With Maxi having had a week to get himself up to speed, i think he will start and Amorim will jump into the midfield as a result. Sidnei will take Luisao's spot in the center of the defense as Luisao did not recuperate in time, and Coentrao should be back to the left back position.
I don't think JJ will once again go with the Peixoto/Coentrao combo, instead either Aimar or Martins will help out Coentrao on the left in his offensive maneuvers.
The absence of a true left midfielder causes an unbalance on this line up, but with Amorim back in the middle, it'll give Airton more freedom to drift to the left side to cover, as Amorim can very well slide in the center spot.
Up front, no surprises, Cardozo and Saviola will look to renew last year's partnership, that netted the Paraguayan the award for the league's top scorer.

Not an easy game for sure, as tradition shows, but with Braga and porto already with their first victory under their belt, Benfica will have to break the tradition, and stay on pace.



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