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| Tuesday, 26 July 2011 18:59 |
Benfica prepare for Trabzonspor testJesus names 22 players in UEFA A Squad Ahead of tomorrow’s crucial Champions League qualifying match against Trabzonspor of Turkey, Benfica trained this morning at Seixal as usual. Whilst Jorge Jesus has not revealed the identity of his starting eleven for tomorrow evening, he did last night name the 22 players who will form the ‘A’ List for UEFA competitions this season.
The list is as follows: Goalkeepers: Artur, Eduardo. Defenders: Luisao, Ezequiel Garay, Jardel, Miguel Vitor, Fabio Faria, Emerson, Andre Almeida, Maxi Pereira. Midfielders: Ruben Amorim, Javi Garcia, Nemanja Matic, Axel Witsel, Bruno Cesar, Nolito, Pablo Aimar, Nicolas Gaitan, Enzo Perez. Forwards: Franco Jara, Javier Saviola, Oscar Cardozo. Recent signing Joan Capdevila will be added to the list once Benfica send the necessary paperwork to UEFA; but the Spaniard is unlikely to be involved on Wednesday. Luisao returned to Lisbon from Brazil on Sunday, and looks set to start, but at the time of writing Maxi Pereira had yet to return from his Copa America exploits. In today’s pre-match press conference, Jorge Jesus said he would talk to the Uruguayan about his fitness “when he arrives.” The tactician also addressed the rumours concerning Luisao’s possible departure, declaring: “I have the utmost confidence in Luisao and that is what counts.” Whilst Jardel and Garay will surely start at the centre of defence, there is a decision to be made at right-back, should Maxi prove too fatigued. Given the indifferent performances of Andre Almeida during pre-season, Jesus may plump for utility man Ruben Amorim. The 26 year-old missed much of 2010/11 through injury, but when fit provides a reliable, unfussy option in a variety of positions. Javi Garcia should revert to his familiar role at the base of Benfica’s midfield diamond, with three from Witsel, Perez, Gaitan and Aimar ahead of him. Saviola and Cardozo will resume their partnership up front. One player who will not be involved is Carlos Martins. The combative midfielder has been omitted from the list altogether, and the writing appears to be on the wall with regards to his Benfica career. With a starting place in Paulo Bento’s Portugal side to protect, Martins will surely soon be looking to secure regular football elsewhere. Trabzonspor enter the tie under something of a cloud, having been implicated in the match-fixing scandal that has engulfed Turkish football during the last fortnight. Whilst UEFA has yet to take any prohibitive action, the powers-that-be in Nyon are surely hoping for a Benfica victory in this tie, as it would eliminate the need for a potentially unpleasant decision in the days and weeks to come. Given those circumstances, there is something of a surreal air to the whole occasion, not least because it’s not even August yet. Jesus told the assembled press this afternoon that the main target for the season was the Liga title; but such statements are unlikely to quell the unease that would surely arrive should the Eagles exit Europe’s premier competition at such an early stage. Ben Shave PortuGOAL will have live coverage from the Estadio da Luz tomorrow evening. |
You definitely made me read more.
SLB will be hoping to put up an early goal or two to take the pressure off. But you also don't want to suffer away goals with the return leg in Turkey (never easy to play there).
Formation: 4-1-3-2
----------------- Artur --------------------
Maxi - Luisao - Garay - Emerson
----------------- Javi -------------------
--- Enzo ------ Aimar ------- Nico ---
----- Cardozo ------ Saviola ------
The paper said no surprises, and guess it's because Enzo is our only true right winger (Urreta not in squad).
I thought that Nolito would have gotten the nod, just because of how well he has played.
Torpiano, I do think that Witsel will be a regular starter, sooner than later, especially if Saviola or Cardozo get moved.
I can see us going with 5 midfielders that will play like a 4-3-3. I could also see Cesar replacing Aimar.
As for this match I would expect Nolito and Witsel to get in the game at some point, maybe even Bruno. The question will be who will miss out if Jara is brought in.
Granted, a lot will have to do with the way the game is going.
I am really interested in seeing how Emerson will do, and how well he'll work with Nico. If he presses, ala Coentrao, it just might force Nico to stay wide which will be a good thing.
I like that we have versatile players that could switch positions, but they don't always commit fully to them. When Nico or Martins pinched in, nobody stayed wide expect for the fullbacks. It left us exposed last season.
I would like to see better continuity.
Let me also add that I am happy to see Saviola and Cardozo start. We scored 61 goals last season, and that was with them starting out slow. This season, both have been in training from the beggining. It will also allow the value to remain, should they be sold.
As for the Turkey league, let things play out. If we stand on our high horse and say that they should be banned, what about when we had teams get caught?
It's not fair that "Big" teams get most of the breaks, but leagues need them to do well, in order for them to survive.
If Simao, Almeida, etc... are playing well, are getting playing time, and getting paid (salaries) on time, who cares.
Ultimately, Benfica has to advance. JJ has been more guarded with his comments this season, and I like it. Let's go out and win, and move on. Actually, we should have a clean sheet.
--------------------------Artur-------------------------------------------
Maxi----------Luisao--------Garay------------------Emerson
----------Witsel------------------Garcia---------------------
Jara------------------Cesar-----------------------Nico
--------------------------Cardozo---------------------------
If we are tied at half time, JJ can switch to the 4-1-3-2.
We have the better team so we should be able to win.
I'll predict a 2-0 win.
While the transfer window is open I hope to see the Besiktas lot leave. Bebe can stay as he needs the match practice, but more especially Hugo, Quaresma and Fernandes should seek moves. Simao I'm not too bothered by.
If Besiktas cannot play in the EL that would be a blow to those players and for our seleccao too as they will not be playing in many competitive games this season.
If Benfica lose this tie (unlikely though I think) then maybe they will still have a chance of going through if Trabzonspor subsequently get thrown out.
Re: NJ - no Witsel in the team? I thought he would be a shoe-in for your midfield lineup but I haven't seen him play for Benfica yet.
http://bit.ly/r6Vsn0
Ben
Ben you state Trab enter in under a cloud.. but yet give no insight at all into the report and the credibility of said report.. so how is anyone supposed to know what you are talking about.. if it is not posted on this site as an article.
Although I find it quite funny that Quaresma has needed match fixing to get back into the Portuguese squad.. he can't even get a break in a 3rd rate league..lol
He probably paid himself..lol
UEFA stated:
Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor can play in next season’s Champions League despite their involvement in the match-fixing probe.
UEFA said the investigation are “a complex case which is still evolving,” but “there is nothing according to the UEFA statutes or regulations” to refuse entry. However, UEFA warned that clubs can be kicked out of the Champions League or banned in future seasons “if it transpires [that they] obtained qualification via manipulated or fixed matches.”
As reported by the Turkish Daily News..
As the greatest sport on the planet beyond my MMA footie is as corrupt as they come.. time to clean it at the root.. challenge anyone in your local, area, national, international levels... start by asking what are they doing about diving in the game, and new technology.. then tell them you are following up with their associayion head.... exact name next week.. and if you can count on their support..
make your case and clean up the game from the base.
But I admit that it's still nervous time, when it shouldn't be. Int'l play has once again wrecked havoc on the team.
I wish our defense would have had more time to gel. Let's face it, they haven't played together yet.
I get that Capdevilla will be added, I'm just not sure if replacing Jardel, as it's been reported in other places, is the way to go. I'm upset that Jardel hasn't shown better so far this preseason after he finished so well last season. But with Luisao and Garay just back now, injury is always a concern. Vitor is already hampered.
By all accounts, although he hasn't shown yet, I would expect Amorin to start at right back. Maxi just got back now.
The new goalie also needs to work with the new defense, and that hasn't happened yet. Artur, in my opinion, so far hasn't impressed. Eduardo hasn't had any time with the squad. I may be the only one, but I wouldn;t have minded to see more of Roberto. Frangos and all, he still made some great saves last season, and I would have liked to see if he would settle better this year.
The midfield is going to be interesting. I figure that Javi will start as the holding mid. The other three spots are going o be interesting, Due to performance Nolito has to start, and I figure Nico and Aimar will join him. Leaving Bruno Cesar, Witsel and Matic out.
Cardozo and Saviola up top.
----------------- Artur ---------------
- Amorin - Luisao - Garay - Emerson -
----------------------- Javi ------------------------
- Nolito --------Aimar --------- Nico -
----------Cardozo --- Saviola --------
Not our best squad, but it should do.
As for Martin's I have never been a fan. I do feel that we will miss his experience on the bench. If things get dicey, I would have rather have him come off the bench than Perez.