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| Tuesday, 16 August 2011 08:25 |
Preview: FC Twente – BenficaEagles hope to seal group stage spot Benfica travel to FC Twente this week knowing that just 180 minutes of football stand between them and the group stages of the 2011/12 Champions League. For all that Jorge Jesus has stated that the Liga title is their priority, failure to qualify for Europe’s leading competition would have major financial ramifications for the Eagles.
A spanner was thrown into the works on Friday evening, when captain and creative linchpin Pablo Aimar sustained a muscle injury against Gil Vicente, and was forced to withdraw at half-time. The Argentine has been named in the 22-man squad, but uncertainty over his fitness persists, with Jorge Jesus refusing to offer a definitive answer in Monday’s press conference. It was a cagey display from the tactician, who whilst confirming that Luisao and Maxi will return to the starting line-up, also dropped a hint about Cardozo: “He is a player with different characteristics to all the other forwards that Benfica have. He may not have much magic but he has the art of scoring goals, and I have the utmost confidence in him.” The full squad reads as follows: Goalkeepers: Artur, Bruno Varela, Eduardo. Defenders: Garay, Jardel, Luisao, Miguel Vitor, Emerson, Maxi Pereira. Midfielders: Aimar, Bruno Cesar, David Simao, Enzo Perez, Gaitan, Javi Garcia, Matic, Nolito, Ruben Amorim, Witsel. Forwards: Cardozo, Jara, Saviola. The main question around Benfica’s starting line-up appeared to be one of formation, rather than personnel, though Jesus has muddied the waters somewhat. Given the successful experiment with 4-2-3-1 against Trabzonspor, it would be something of a surprise to see him continue with the diamond midfield two-man front line that was fielded against Gil Vicente – despite his cryptic declarations on Monday evening. Depending on Aimar’s fitness, Axel Witsel (who only played the second half on Friday) will take up an advanced or slightly deeper position, with Nico Gaitan always available to take up a more central creative role. Alternatively, Ruben Amorim could be drafted in alongside Javi Garcia, with Witsel pushed further forward into Aimar’s normal position. The utility man was at fault for Gil’s opening goal, but provided a wonderful assist for Nolito, and displayed a useful dynamism that could prove a useful counterbalance to the marauding Bryan Ruiz, in particular. The Costa Rican scored a beauty against AZ Alkmaar at the weekend, and will surely be Twente's primary attacking threat. Familiar Foe Twente enter the tie having already played five competitive matches this season, including a 2-0 aggregate victory over FC Vaslui in the Champions League third qualifying round. They remain undefeated, and have conceded just one goal since July 26th – a near-perfect start for Co Adriaanse (pictured right, during his time at the Dragao). The Dutchman assessed the Eagles at his press conference on Monday, declaring that they "are a side with huge attacking power, but sometimes they are also vulnerable. The big difference between Twente and Benfica is that they have a side full of established stars but I still think that as a team we are stronger." The veteran coach replaced former Benfica idol Michel Preud’homme in the dugout during the close season, and whilst that has denied benfiquistas an opportunity to welcome a friendly face, it has presented a comforting statistic. During his sole season in charge at FC Porto, Adriaanse won both the Liga and Taca de Portugal, but failed to notch up any points against Benfica, losing 2-0 at the Dragao and 1-0 at the Luz. The only player involved in those two fixtures for Benfica was of course Luisao – indeed the captain is the only member of Benfica’s 2005/06 squad still at the club. In addition to the Liga hoodoo, Benfica also have a relatively strong record against Dutch sides, whilst Twente have just a single aggregate loss to Sporting (in 2009) in their Portuguese club locker. The Eagles have faced Dutch opposition a total of nineteen times, winning seven, drawing seven, and losing five. Their last four trips to the Netherlands have resulted in draws, including the nervy but ultimately triumphant 2-2 tie with PSV Eindhoven in last season’s Europa League. That second leg followed a 4-1 victory at the Luz, a result that extended their winning home run against Dutch opposition to four in a row, dating back to 1975. Of course, statistics and historical results can only tell us so much. Whilst they provide a measure of comfort (not to mention interesting reading), the financial and competitive pressures at work will surely play a greater role over the two legs. The season is underway, and the stakes are high. Ben Shave PortuGOAL will have live coverage of FC Twente-Benfica from 19:45 this evening. |
I completely agree with your lineup, and expect to see it.
Witsel replacing Aimar as like for like would be a huge mistake.
I would love a clean sheet win, but we haven't been able to do that in a long time. The fact is that we need to score, preferably first.
In the US the game will be available on Fox Soccer Plus at 2:30. For those who haven't dished out the additional cash/robbery for FSC Plus, the match will replay on FSC at 11 AM on Wednesday.
On the issue of Benfica's formations, I don't think the 4-4-2 diamond is all that bad and has good and bad points, if Jara had scored that easy goal the result in Barcelos would have been completely different, but I do agree that the 4-2-3-1 can work pretty well, but then you have a decision to make: do you drop Cardozo or do you drop Saviola? They are by far the two best forwards and and indeed players in the squad. Not to mention that they work really well together.
I think Jesus should chose the formation to suit the situation and the opponent. Against Gil Vicente the diamond was fine but in the second half with the team at 2-1 and looking tired he should have taken Jara off for a midfielder and probably would have held the result.
I really hope that JJ has quickly learned from his blunder in choice of formation against Gil Vicente...it has become obvious to most Benfiquistas that a 4-2-3-1 is the best formation to play with the squad we have. It worked so well against Trabzonspor and Arsenal, and the moment he reverted back to his old 4-4-2 on Friday night, we encountered the same problems we had all of last season...a failure to control the midfield, and a difficulty defending against dangerous counter-attacks. Playing 3 in the middle gives a much more fluid and solid formation, and virtually all the best clubs in Europe play that formation these days. Dutch teams are confident on the ball and like to attack, so it is imperative that we have an extra player in the middle tonight, or they could really dominate possesion in the midfield.
If Aimar doesn't make it tonight, I personally would play Gaitan in his position, Axel and Javi behind him...Nolito and Perez wide and Cardozo at centre forward. Cardozo hasn't been in form this pre-season, but he's still definitely the best forward and the only true centre forward we have, and I have confidence in him to score goals, provided he's given good service. Come on JJ, don't be stubborn and please play our best formation tonight. If we can get an away goal, we'd be in a good position going into the second leg at da Luz...Vamos!!!