Getafe - Benfica - Uefa Cup 2nd Leg preview

This wednesday, Benfica plays perhaps the most important 90 minutes of their 07/08 season. With an unfavorable aggregate of 1-2 obtained at home, Benfica has a very tough game playing against Getafe in Madrid for a place in the Uefa Cup quarter finals. On the other side, Getafe hopes they can hold on to the aggregate and make club history.


Here's the list of Players that traveled to Madrid this afternoon ahead of wednesday's Getafe clash.

Keepers - Quim, Butt and Moreira;
Defenders - Luís Filipe, Nélson, Edcarlos, Léo and Sepsi;
Midfielders - Petit, Maxi Pereira, Katsouranis, Cristián Rodríguez, Rui Costa, Di María, David Simão and André Carvalhas;
Forwards - Makukula, Mantorras and Nuno Gomes.


Edcarlos is the only true center back, as the only other one available, Zoro, was injured during Sunday's game. Petit and Maxi are back, as is Makukula, Nuno Assis continues to suffer from muscular problems and did not make the trip.

After Camacho's resignation, it'll be up to Chalana to lead the team, Chalana will be at the helm until the end of the season at least.
What can we expect from Chalana? Not much change for now, but we will most likely see a 4-4-2 rather than the usual 4-2-3-1, and not because that is Chalana's preferred system, but because the game situation calls for 2 men upfront. Having to score 2 goals to win on aggregate, it makes no sense to play with 1 forward.

Here's my projected line up:

Quim in goal; Nelson, Edcarlos, Katsouranis and Leo will make up the back four. Petit will most likely be the the defensive midfielder, although his physical condition remains unknown. Dimaria, Rodriguez and Rui Costa will make up the midfield trident, while up front it'll be Nuno Gomes and Makulula, whose physical condition is also a mystery. If Makukula can't go, there's a strong possibility of either Dimaria or Rodriguez supporting Nuno Gomes, with Maxi, whose physical condition is also a mystery, jumping in midfield.

The starting 11 will depend a lot on how, Petit, Makukula and Maxi will feel, they are the big variables. And then, there's the outside shot of junior Andre Carvalhas starting on one of the wings.
Getafe is also suffering from the same problems as Benfica as they will have 9 players unavailable to play this wednesday - Esteban Granero, Daniel 'Cata' Díaz, Mario Álvarez, David Sousa, Miguel Pallardó, Ikechukwu Uche and Manu del Moral, all hurt. Braulio Nóbrega and Pablo Hernández will serve suspensions.

Benfica will need to come out hard from the start, there's nothing to it. Needing to score 2 goals, the team will have to push forward. Getafe is expecting that and will be prepared, while setting up for quick counters. Getafe is quick on the transition and can very well be at the other end with 5 quick touches.
Edcarlos hasn't inspired much confidence in me, but he will have to have a good game, if Benfica are to have any success, the same can be said for the whole defensive unit as a whole. The home crowd will try to push the home side into an historical feat, so Benfica will need to go up early in order to take the crowd a little bit out of the game.
Benfica should be optimistic about this game, after last week's game, most of the squad felt that they could have beaten Getafe, they will surely carry that confidence into the match. Also of note, is Benfica's performances away from home this season, playing away has been Benfica's home, naturally the players will also be aware of that and will play a more calm relaxed type of soccer, as they have in many away games. I also think the Camacho factor will play into the team's performance, after hearing Camacho tell the media he could no longer motivate the players, or find a way to motivate them, the team will come out and try to prove Camacho wrong. I don't believe there was any type of an underground movement against Camacho, but if there was we will see a different mentality in the players.

I hold a certain optimism in Benfica's advancement, but that will depend on what Benfica will show up. If Benfica plays well, they can beat Getafe easily, off course 2 goals is no easy task, but i think Benfica is capable of that. The realist in me has to wonder what Benfica can do with so many crucial players missing, especially Cardozo, who seems to be a big game player.
Many factors and circumstances surround the game, i just hope that the players can take a hold of the positive energy and run with it, and get through. Despite all the problems and the shortcomings, I would consider elimination at this stage to be a failure, as Getafe is very much within reach of Benfica.

Let's all hope for a good game and a positive result in the end.

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Benfica - Getafe - Preview

Benfica continues their European quest this Thursday when they host Getafe for the UEFA Cup. The match is part of the round of 16 and is Benfica's most challenging game in the competition yet. Getafe is currently 10th in Spain's La Liga, a position that holds merit, considering the competitiveness and the world class teams that compete in La Liga year in, year out. Getafe has amassed a domestic record of 9 wins, 6 draws and 11 losses. Their away record is 4 wins, 2 ties and 7 losses. Typical numbers of a middle of the table squad no doubt, but with wins against Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sevilla, Getafe proves to be a team that can win, no matter who their opponent is.

Getafe's European trajectory went through the group stages of the UEFA Cup, where they classified top of their group, ahead of Tottenham and Anderlecht. In the first round of elimination, Getafe dispatched Greece's AEK by an aggregate of 4-1.

A very tough game for Benfica, who, despite the drawing dictating that they play away in the first leg, negotiated with Getafe to play home first, what team wouldn't want to have their fans behind them, if advancing to the next round comes down to the final game? With the way Benfica has played home this season, and taking into consideration the decisive away wins, the logic becomes clearer. Who can forget the away game in the Ukraine to clinch the Uefa Cup berth, the top performance in Celtic Park? Or even more recently, the performance in Nurnberg, that brought Benfica to the exact spot they are in today.

Here's the list of players that were called to play the first leg of this thursday's UEFA Cup game against Getafe

Keepers: Quim and Butt;
Defenders: Luís Filipe, Nélson, Luisão, Edcarlos, Zoro, Léo and Sepsi;
Midfielders: Katsouranis, Rui Costa, David Simão, André Carvalhas, Nuno Assis, Cristian Rodriguez, Di Maria;
Forwards: Cardozo and Mantorras.

Notable absences are those of, Petit, Makukula, David Luiz, Nuno Gomes, and Maxi, all by injury. Freddy Adu will miss Benfica's next 4 games due to his National team duties, as the US prepares to qualify for the Olympic games. Binya serves his 5 of 6 game suspension. With this many players unavailable, Camacho called 2 juniors, David Simao, and Andre Carvalhas.

Not too much to work with for Camacho, where the doubts will once again lie on the 2 defensive midfielders that will start. With Petit, Maxi and Binya not being able to play,Katsouranis is the only defensive midfielder at Camacho's disposal. Katsouranis has also made a good tandem with Luisao in the center of the defense.
Being that there is no one else available to play defensive-mid it will most likely be Katsouranis in the midfield, as Edcarlos will most likely be in the center of the defense with Luisao. Perhaps not the best tandem, but it will have to do, as Zoro does not currently have enough minutes with Luisao to be a logical option.

Here's my projected line up:
Quim in goal. The back four will be, Nelson, Edcarlos and Leo, from right to left. Katsouranis will be the stay at home midfielder, while Rui Costa, Rodriguez, Assis and DiMaria as the 5th midfielder will round up the midfield sector, with possibly one of those players playing behind the center forward. Up front it will be Benfica's top scorer, Oscar Cardozo.
Benfica will play in a 4-1-3-2, or however you want to look at it.. Katso is the only d-mid.

The key to this game lies on not allowing any goals, whether it's a tie or a win, it is crucial that Benfica does not allow any goals, as away goals will prove to be costly and tie-breakers to the aggregate. Benfica will have to play a solid compact game, Getafe's most dangerous weapon is the quick counter, Benfica will not only need to mark tight, but they will also need to maintain a high percentage of completed passes. A wrong pass can very well turn dangerous, as the team might can be caught out of position, hence the reason why the team needs to progress up the field with a certain compactness. In order to do that, Benfica's midfield needs to work extremely hard providing support for the man with the ball. Rui Costa will once again be the target of special attention, Benfica will need to find other players who can transition the ball into the attack, and find the Maestro in times in which the Getafe men are unbalanced trying to defend.
Rui Costa has made an appeal to the fans to come out and act as the 12th man, and support the team, i'm sure that the fans will answer that call. Benfica will need to keep the fans in the game, in order for the fans to provide that extra push.
the team will aslo have an extra motivation to win this game, with Camacho's father passing on Wednesday, the team will be determined to dedicate the win to Camacho and his family.

Keys to the game:

- Playing compact and work as a unit. Creating spaces with constant off the ball movement.

- Finding Cardozo, and supporting him.

- Fan Support.

- Stopping Getafe's quick transition into the counter, with tight marking and correct positioning.

- Midfield passing accuracy and positive progression.

Getafe is a team that is very accessible, but for that, Benfica will have to play well. A strong start is imperative, as Benfica's starts haven't been the best in their past few outings.
Despite the very important absences, Benfica should be able to come out with a positive result from this game, the 2nd leg will be considerably more difficult, but away, is where Benfica thrives, it would be important to take a goal lead into the second leg, as a goalless tie will make the 2nd leg a much more difficult game.

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Nurnberg - Benfica - Uefa Cup 2nd Leg Preview

This thursday Benfica plays the second leg of the Uefa Cup against German side Nurnberg. Carrying the smallest of aggregates into the second leg, Benfica has a very difficult task against a Nurnberg team who will be going all out in order to turn around the aggregate into their favour. Nurnberg will be hoping that the crowd can be factor, and they hope they are able to do what they weren't able to do in Lisbon, score goals.
On the other hand, Benfica will be looking to advance to the next round of the Uefa Cup, but for that they will need to put on a much better performance than the one from one week ago. Despite winning the first leg, Benfica did not play well and left the Nurnberg men with the sensation that they could beat Benfica in their home pitch.

Camacho called the following players:

Keepers: Butt, Quim and Moreira
Defenders: Nélson, Luís Filipe, Luisão, Edcarlos, Léo and Sepsi
Midfielders: Katsouranis, Rui Costa, Rodriguez, Maxi Pereira, Petit, Adu, Nuno Assis and Di Maria
Forwards: Mantorras, Cardozo and Makukula

20 players in all, only 18 will be able to suit up. The inclusion of the third keeper was explained by Camacho as a precaution, and that this will be the norm going forward in European competition. Nelson, Petit and DiMaria return to the game roster, the first two from injury and DiMaria from a one game suspension.
Both Nelson and Petit trained without limitations this morning, when Benfica made their game pitch adaptation training session. While Petit will most likely start, there are still some doubts in regards to Nelson, that decision will be a game time decision. Freddy Adu, is 100% after coming out of this past sunday's game with a back injury, He has practice without limitations since monday.

There is no doubt in my mind that Camacho will return to the 4-2-3-1. This is a formation that will provide Benfica with more bodies in the midfield, and will allow Benfica to have a better chance of controlling that sector, which is crucial if Benfica wants to make it to the next round.

Projected line Up
Quim in goal. Luis Felipe(Nelson), Luisao, Katsouranis and Leo on the left. Maxi and Petit in front of the defense. Assis, Rui Costa and Rodriguez will support Cardozo up front. This was the line up that Camacho put together during this morning's pre-match walk through.
Camacho picked Cardozo over Makukula, as Cardozo is better with his feet, and Benfica will be trying to play the short game with supported attack. It would make no sense to use the long ball to get into the final third as posession can very well be the key to advancing. Also, with Assis on the right, Benfica has the personnel that can make the 4-2-3-1 work, as he is clearly a more attack minded player than Maxi and he combines well with Rui Costa. The problem will lie on Assis' tendency to come into the middle, leaving the right side unbalanced, it will be up to the right back to take over this gap.

A very tough game for Benfica, despite playing a team who is in the relegation zone of the Bundesliga, Benfica will have to contend with the the crowd. Nothing new, as they played well at Celtic Park and in the decisive Shakthar match in the Ukraine. The first 25 minutes are very crucial for Benfica, who will need to come out strong and shake off the initial pressure from Nurnberg, while they make adjustments to defend against the Nurnberg set up. The midfield will have to be sharp and be able to transition the ball into the attack with precision, in order to relieve the pressure from the defense. Rui Costa will be the center of the attention for the Nurnberg men, Rodriguez and Assis will have to shoulder some of the initiative and the offensive push.
Benfica needs to manage the game and take advantage of Nurnberg's all out attack, and hope they can find the mis-matches on the counter.

Advancing into the next round could do wonders for this team. Benfica is currently showing signs of lack of confidence as a team and will need to continue building momentum ahead of crucial matches against Braga and Sporting in the coming weeks.

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Benfica - Nurnberg UEFA Cup Preview

Benfica gets their European campaign underway, this thursday, with a home game against Germany's Nurnberg. Having failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, Benfica gets another chance in Europe by means of the Uefa Cup.
In the first round Benfica was matched up with Nurnberg. Nurnberg is currently 16th in the German Bundesliga, with a record of 4 wins, 11 losses and 4 ties,having only won 1 game away from their home pitch.

Perhaps that explains the recent sacking of their coach, Hans Meyer. Thomas Von Heese was just announced has the Nurnberg's new coach. Meyer's sacking comes as a surprise to many, as he was the one that recommended the new winter signings. The most notable winter signing for Nurnberg was Kohler, the Chech Republic giant. Kohler was signed from Monaco in hopes that he could save the team from relegation.
Another familiar face on the Nurnberg team is Greece's Charisteas, if you remember, Charisteas scored the winning goal against Portugal in the final of Euro 04. Last time Benfica played Nurnberg was in 61/62, where Benfica won with a 7-3 aggregate, Benfica would go on to become European Champion that year.

Nurnberg qualified for the next round of the Uefa Cup by placing second in group A, right behind group winners Everton, they haven't lost in their last 3 away games in European competition compiling a win and 2 ties in the group stage.
They will look to continue that streak, and hope to come away from Lisbon with a close enough result to be able to win on aggregate when they finish the round in Germany.

Benfica comes into the Uefa Cup with hopes of going far, and of achieving a secondary objective in Europe. Benfica reaches the Uefa Cup after placing third in the Champions League group stages, losing out to Celtic and group winners Milan, but finishing ahead of Shakhtar, with a very important win in a frigid Ukraine that saw them edge out Shakhtar for third place.

For Thursday's game Camacho has called the following players:

Keepers: Butt, Quim
Defenders: David Luiz, Luís Filipe, Luisão, Nelson, Edcarlos, Léo, Sepsi
Midfielders: Katsouranis, Rui Costa, Petit, Nuno Assis
Forwards: Rodríguez, Mantorras, Di Maria, Adu, Cardozo and Makukula

Maxi did not make the roster as he currently suffers from myalgia. Petit is back as he seems to have recuperated from his injury, he has trained without limitations during yesterday's and today's training sessions.

It's hard to say how Camacho will set up the team, the 4-2-3-1 is his preferred system, but playing with 2 forwards would make sense being that the Nurnberg defense is tall and physical. Nonetheless he will most likely go with 2 d-mids to have numbers in the midfield, which would usually mean one forward, unless he opts for some kind of a dynamic 4 man midfield, which is possible but unlikely.
Camacho has also said that Petit is a starting 11 choice, but his start will depend on how he feels during the pre-game warm up.

Here's the most likely starting 11:

Quim in goal. Nelson, Luisao, David Luiz and Leo on the left. Petit and Katsouranis in front of the back four. Rui Costa , Rodriguez and Assis on the right. There is a strong possibility that DiMaria will start on the right, as he is more of a winger than Assis, but Assis oftens drifts to the middle something that will create mismatches in the attacking third.
Up front it'll be another toss up between Makukula and Cardozo. It'll all depend on the game plan that Camacho draws up. With the Nurnberg Central defenders being around the 6'2" mark, it would make sense to keep the ball on the ground, in the envent that Benfica plays with one forward. The choice would fall on Cardozo, has he has a better feet game than Makukula, if the decision is to go high, in the way of crosses looking for a head, the choice would fall on Makukula, who has a better aerial game than Cardozo. In my opinion, going high might seem the wrong choice because of the height of the 2 central defenders, especially if there is only one forward.
In any event, it is probable that both Makukula and Cardozo will be on the field together at some point. Other choices off the bench will be DiMaria if he doesn't start and Adu, as Freddy can provide another option on the wing.


Look for Benfica to come out playing behind the support of the fans, who should be considerably more than the 10,000+ that showed up for this weekend's Portuguese Cup game. Benfica needs to try to get a positive result, or even sway the aggregate towards them in a favorable away. No team wants to go play away with everything still to decide. Benfica's main objective will be to win by more than 1 goal and not let Nurnberg score any goals, as away goals will usually count as 2 towards a tied aggregate. On the other side Nurnberg will be trying to pull off at least a tie, and with a new coach at the helm, we will most likely see a motivated Nurnberg, with the players wanting to make a good impression on the new coach.

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