A Team Taking Shape

The wait is finally over, after a little bit more than two months, Benfica will officially kick their season off this Wednesday.
It's been a long two months, a time for introspect for many, myself included, and a time for digesting and putting some of the disappointments from last season behind, and look forward to another season with hopes of better success than last year's.

With JJ and some key players admitting to the shortcomings of last season, while at the same time recognizing where they had failed, we go into the new season, not only hoping not to make the same mistakes, but also hoping to renew the flame and the intensity we showed two years ago.
Photo Via Planet Benfica



I'll spare you of a long drawn out write up about the pre-season, the results, first impressions on new players, observations, etc, etc... What i want to write about is the shaping of the squad.

Truth be told, Benfica went into camp with a ridiculously large amount of players, and i understand the need to make a full observation, and to see what the best options are, but i am glad that little by little the 27+1 JJ desires is starting to take shape.

It's not easy to reduce the squad from nearly 40 players to the 27-28(even these number i think they are too large for a squad) JJ wants to work with, nor has it been easy realizing that there will be cuts, and some of the players that some Benfiquistas hoped to make it, will eventually be cut.

I have been anxiously awaiting for the 25 man roster Benfica submitted to UEFA for the Champions League qualifier. Although this list will only count for this qualifying round, it can serve as a rough draft as to who JJ intends to make part of the 28 man roster. After watching training sessions that resembled a 15 on 15 pick up game at the park, the definition and the trim down is a welcome sight.

Here's the submitted list, Remember these 25 will be re-submitted once Benfica qualifies into the group stages of the CL.

Here's the list:

Keepers: Artur Moraes, Eduardo, José Costa(*)and Bruno Varela (*);

There's no doubt in my mind that Artur and Eduardo will be Benfica's two main keepers this year. Costa and Varela are Juniors and can be listed as a part of a B list.
Julio Cesar and Roberto are still training with the team, but they will both be going out on loan deals, being that Benfica picked up a home grown keeper in Mika, which is with the U20 natinal team and unavailable for this round.



Defenders: Emerson, Luisão, Maxi Pereira, Ezequiel Garay, Miguel Vítor, Jardel, André Almeida, Luís Martins (*) and Fábio Faria;

The first 6 are season roster locks, with perhaps Jardel being on the bubble.
Andre Almeida did well in the pre-season, and he might be the only back up solution at right back, beside he is a homegrown player which will benefit Benfica when they have to submit numbers to Uefa.

Martins is a Junior and Faria may be out of room. Faria played left back and some center back, but with the acquisitions of Capdevilla and Emerson, he is shutout of left back, and didn't seem to evolve enough to figure into JJ's plans for CB back up in my opinion.

Roderick who is with the u20 national team, needs to get more playing time if he is to evolve, loan is probably the best choice for him at this point.

Capdevilla who joined the team shorter than a week ago, and coming from vacation, is not at ideal shape to play just yet, and Wass has been loaned out.
Cesar peixoto does not figure into JJs plans and has expressed his desire to move on.



Midfielders: Ruben Amorim, Javi Garcia, Bruno César, Nolito, Pablo Aimar, Gaitán, Matic, David Simão (*), Axel Witsel, Enzo Pérez and Ruben Pinto (*);

The sector where Benfica will have to make the most trimming is also the strongest and the one that offers the most solutions.
Amorim, Garcia,Cesar,Nolito, Aimar, Gaitan, Witsel and Enzo Perez will definitely make the squad.
David Simao which had a great year at P. Ferreira last year, is on the bubble I would say, a real shame, because i think this kid can give a lot to Benfica, but with Gaitan, Witsel, and Aimar all being able to play his position, It'll be hard for him to make it, but it'll comedown to how many players JJ will keep.
Nuno Coelho may also go out on loan as the D-mid position is pretty filled up

There's also the cases of Urreta and Martins, who seem to be recuperating from injuries. Martins hasn't played all pre-season, and there's even a rumor that he might be on his way out.
Urreta has been the on again, off again player in JJs plans, but his pre-season performances seem to have convinced JJ and he is staying.

Forwards: Cardozo, Saviola and Franco Jara.

Three definite roster members for the upcoming season. Missing from the forward list are: Nelson Oliveira and Rodrigo currently with their respective U20 national teams, and Rodrigo Mora.

It'll be kind of hard for JJ to keep 6 forwards, so 1-2 players will most likely not make part of the season Roster. The top candidate is obviously Oliveira, who still has a bit to go in his maturity and evolution process.
Rodrigo who showed himself at a great level during pre-season, may very well make the squad, while Rodrigo Mora may go out on a loan spell to not only get more playing time, but to acclimate himself with the Portuguese style and league. Keep in mind that Nolito, Enzo and Cesar can also play some type of forward postion.

This is perhaps the 27 that we will be making the roster, barring anymore acquisitions off course

Artur
Eduardo
Mika

Luisao
Maxi
Garay
Vitor
Emerson
Capdevilla
Almeida
Jardel

Garcia
Matic
Gaitan
Aimar
Enzo
Witsel
Cesar
Nolito
Amorim
Martins
Urreta


Jara
Saviola
Cardozo
Rodrigo
Mora(possible)

I believe these will be the 27 staying. Very strong midfield sector, a defensive block that will need some time to become a unit, and a forward line with a rested Cardozo and with a Saviola that will need to up his game, if he wants to feature in the starting line up.

Ahead is a very tough season, a season in which our most direct opponents have made important decisions and seem to be at a better level than last year.

On one side you have a reinvigorated Sporting, with a new coach and a totally rebuilt squad, and on the other, a team who despite their success last year, and the departure of their coach, has yet to lose a player to the summer market, and has added more talent.

The key is obviously start the season right and not lose points in the initial games.
First up is the all too important access to the champions league, which is crucial to our finances, and our ambitions. After that we will see a more defined squad.



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