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| Tuesday, 20 March 2012 22:52 |
Benfica into Taça da Liga finalCardozo fires Eagles to 3-2 Clássico win.jpg) Benfica ended a run of poor home displays against Porto tonight, and sealed a place in this season’s Taca da Liga final in the process, with a 3-2 victory sealed by a late strike from substitute Oscar Cardozo. A frantic first half had seen the Eagles take an early lead through Maxi, only for Porto to peg them back with an own goal from Javi Garcia and a bullet header from Mangala. Nolito levelled the scores shortly before half time, and although the second 45 minutes lacked the intensity of the first, the Eagles managed to convert one of their chances, keeping hopes of a domestic double alive.
With both coaches in possession of more pressing priorities, not to mention injuries to key personnel, almost half of the 22 players that lined up for kick off had not done so a fortnight ago, when Porto wrested control of the title race back from Benfica. Vitor Pereira handed rare starts to Bracali, Mangala, Sapunaru, Alex Sandro and Kleber, with the likes of James, Varela and Janko amongst the substitutes.  Jorge Jesus, on the cusp of what will be the defining period of his side’s season, rested regulars Artur, Emerson, Gaitan and Cardozo, with Eduardo, Capdevila, Nolito and young Nelson Oliveira starting in their places. Elsewhere Jardel maintained his partnership with Luisao in Ezequiel Garay’s continued absence, as Benfica sought to end a three-match losing run against their fierce rivals at the Luz. Just as in their meeting a fortnight ago, Benfica started the faster, but this time, the Eagles capitalised on their early pressure with a goal. Axel Witsel and Bruno Cesar have struck up a fruitful partnership in recent weeks, and the two combined again to slip through Maxi Pereira, who crashed home on the run to put the home side 1-0 up.  It was a start to thrill the sparsely populated Luz. Yet their joy lasted less than five minutes, as a sizeable deflection courtesy of an unwitting Javi Garcia levelled the scores. The Spaniard was awarded the own goal, but great credit should go to Hulk, who produced a searing run and sudden halt to leave a clutch of markers scrambling, before cutting back for Lucho to fire in, via the unfortunate Garcia. All of a sudden, Porto settled, and Benfica were flustered. The Eagles found themselves scuttling around for possession, but the Dragons found their passing range, forcing a succession of fouls – one of which led to their second. Yet whilst Moutinho’s ball in was accurate, and Mangala’s header powerful, Jorge Jesus will be unhappy with the slack marking that allowed the young Frenchman the time and space required to deliver an emphatic finish. Yet Jesus has instilled a fighting spirit in this squad, and after Lucho and Sapunaru forced Eduardo into a pair of smart saves before the half an hour mark, Benfica re-established control of the game, upping the tempo to near breaking point in desperate search of an equaliser.  It almost arrived during a helter-skelter three-minute period, in which the Eagles saw three efforts rebound off the woodwork. Firstly, Luisao’s flick header struck the crossbar with Bracalli beaten. Then, the Porto reserve goalkeeper managed to get a fingertip to the Benfica captain’s low hooked shot, which was enough to divert it onto the right post. Aimar then produced a gorgeous curling free kick to beat the Brazilian, only to see it strike the inside of the post – Maxi headed the rebound over the bar from close range. At that point, Benfica would have been forgiven for thinking that it was not to be their evening, but they stuck to their task, and were rewarded three minutes before the interval. Javi Garcia atoned for his earlier misfortune with an arced run to meet an Aimar delivery, and – unheeded by any Porto players – the Spaniard was able to centre for his compatriot Nolito, who bundled home from virtually on the goal line. The entire move was completed in seconds; a chaotic, memorable moment that summed up a chaotic, memorable half. Having witnessed such a breakneck opening 45 minutes, a reduction in the overall intensity and end-to-end flow of the game was perhaps always inevitable, but the speed at which the encounter went off the boil after Lucho steered wide unmarked early on in the second half was nevertheless disappointing. A combination of tired legs and bulging calendars likely contributed to a largely uneventful period around the hour mark. Witsel and Nolito drew collective groans from the crowd with drives that were close, but in truth always rising; whilst the withdrawal of Lucho saw Porto’s approach play suffer somewhat. Hulk continued to draw the ire of the home crowd with a series of step-overs and darting runs, but the Brazilian’s end product was largely wayward.  Under such circumstances, a moment of magic is often required to avoid penalties, and it arrived on this occasion with twelve minutes remaining. A first-time through ball from Nico Gaitan split the Porto back line asunder, allowing his fellow substitute Oscar Cardozo to gently lope away from Mangala, before finishing with his characteristic power and precision. Not for the first time on the night quick thinking took advantage of slack marking, to maximum effect. Vitor Pereira sent young Juan Manuel Iturbe into the fray, but the Porto coach appeared resigned to a first loss at the Luz in three matches for the Dragons – as resigned as he dared appear, anyway. For Benfica, a fourth consecutive Taca da Liga final awaits, with the winners of Thursday’s second semi-final between Gil Vicente and Braga to provide their opposition. Goals [1-0] Maxi 4’ [1-1] Javi Garcia (OG) 8’ [1-2] Mangala 17’ [2-2] Nolito 42’ [3-2] Cardozo 78’ Benfica: Eduardo; Maxi Pereira, Luisao, Jardel, Capdevila; Javi Garcia, Witsel, Bruno Cesar (Gaitan 55’), Aimar (Saviola 71’), Nolito; Nelson Oliveira (Cardozo 65’). Porto: Bracalli; Sapunaru, Rolando, Mangala, Alvaro Pereira; Defour, Moutinho, Lucho (James Rodriguez 62’); Hulk, Kleber (Janko 71’), Alex Sandro (Iturbe 84’). Ben Shave |
The advantage Porto will have now is they only have the league left, even though I still see them dropping points in a few more matches. We will likely drop points too, as will Braga...so i think it is going down to the wire and the last match of the season before anything is decided. All 3 will almost certainly have to win their last match of the season to end up champions...Braga are at the Alvalade on the last day, so it seems it will be hardest for them out of the 3 to claim the title.
As for this endless debate of who's Portugal's most successful club, it will never end...neither red nor blue fans will ever back down. The last points I will make are these: Benfica in the last 15 years has gone through the driest period in it's illustrious history, Porto has gone through it's most succesful in this same period. However Porto before the mid-1980s did almost nothing, a 70-odd year dry period, not 15!! It's all good and well to boast about a decade and a half, but in the big picture and in terms of history...you cannot touch us, you just have to admit it.
To come from another angle, both clubs have two European cups, however Porto's two wins are isolated incidents, no other finals (not even close)! Benfica lost another 5 finals, some of which we really should have won. Porto's wins came against a not great Bayern team in 1987, and a not great Monaco team in 2004 (they are now in the French second division!). Benfica's wins came against Real and Barcelona. Our defeats came against the great Inter and Milan teams of the 60's, the great Man United team of the 60's...and the super-great Milan team in 1990. Absolute no shame in losing these finals. Only our penalties loss to PSV in 1988 was a real disapointment. So what's the conclusion, aside from still having most Liga titles, Benfica have much more pedigree in the European Cup as well, and there's no question they are Portugal's number one club. But I say it again, it's an endless debate, and none of us will back down in the end.. haha!!
I’m extremely happy to see our club competing for the Liga, Liga cup, and CL. If you compare our club from 4 years ago to were it has progressed, I’m extremely happy as a fan and the future only look brighter with some of the amazing young talent coming up at the club. Throw in us hosting the 2014 CL final and it just adds some sweet icing on this cake of a season.
As for the Jardel v. Vitor. Jardel has won me over. Not too long ago I would always get a nasty feeling in my gut if either Jardel or Vitor were in the starting line-up for a key game. Now when I see Jardel, I don’t feel worried. Neither Jardel nor Vitor should ever play if we can field our two main CBs but Jardel has proven this season that he can slot in when needed as a backup. Vitor only had one good game in the preseason, every other time I’ve seen him he is not smart with the ball and is too small to be a CB in the modern game. If we can keep Garay and Luisao again this season, I would keep Jardel as a backup since he never complains and just does his job and look at loaning out Vitor again.
Cap is improving and I don’t mind if he sticks around next season but as Cap admitted himself, we play a fast pace game that he can’t keep up with. He has stated that he does not fit the Portuguese liga’s style of fast non-stop running. At the same time his experience is great for the players on the team and by the end of this season he starting to look in a bit of shape again. If he can continue to improve, maybe he’ll have a shot at taking the starting 11 position. For now that LB position will continue to be our weakest till the end of the season.
As for Eduardo vs Artur, I wouldn't say that Eduardo's the better keeper. Artur was fantastic for Braga last season, and he's been fantastic this year for Benfica. Eduardo had a terrible season for both club and country last year, and it wasn't all because of poor defense. He made frango after frango and it really hurt his confidence. When he is playing well, Eduardo can be an excellent keeper, but without consistent playing time, I wouldn't say that he's better than Artur. Eduardo should find a team where he can play regularly.
I also think that both Emerson and Capdevila are 2 average left backs, but Capdevila definitely seems the better of the two. Emerson works extremely hard and he's strong physically, but Capdevila has loads of experience playing for the best national team in Europe. I know he isn't a long term solution, but he is a better player than Emerson.
Carlos is right it was one of the better games.. but probably had a few reasons for it not being so intensive.. like they are playing for the least worthy Toilet Bowl Championship.. the Taca is used mostly to piss in on the bus.. the Liga Bowl is used for those with the runs and are full of crap...
The way JJ manages.. having the shittiest trophy is probably a good idea.. so the result is welcomed..
Anyways JJ started Eduardo, Jardel, Capedevila, Oliveira, Nolito... these are all 3rd rate players.. who had some free reserve team time..
Clearly his view of the Liga TP Bowl.. is viewed as highly as I view it,.
So he started what was his worst squad..
Which in actuality beyond Cardozo, & Vitor that is probably their best squad.
Artur is great but as I have always said.. Eduardo with enough playing time can be as good if not better.. today both goals.. were major defence errors.. Eduardo finger tipped many.. contrary to the few people on here that think he is not good.. he came in cold.. frozen even.. and yet when not playing in the worst league in the world.. he looks like he wears a cape.. of course that is because he needs to play against good players.. in Snoria A it is hard to find anyone with talent.. that doesn't cheat to get there.
Again Vitor is benched because having Jardel stare at a guy that runs from miles out for a free header while he is covering no one.. is shocking.. Jardel god bless him has been sitting out for a long period.. but for Fsakes.. Vitor rarely makes a mistake in the middle.. yet like Nolito, and the other guys I mentioned early.. they live on the bench.
This brings us to Nolito.. who since he has been benched has not been scoring and has been having a hard time coming in for such brief moments.. with disjointed squads in games messed when he entered.
Clearly Noleets has deserved it and even though Gaitan has only the same number of assists in all comps as Noleets has on the bench.. and has only scored 1 tenth of the goals that Noleets has.. starting EVERY F#$%in GAME.. clearly JJ's worst squad is the closest thing that we have to the BEST squad ever at Benfica.
This was an extremely annoying game because of the talent on hand.. yes Eduardo, Capedevila, Nolito, Oliveira are great players... unfortunately JJ thinks they are second rate and that is why they started this second rate cup.
So of course he won a meaniless game.. he only started these players to say.. this was not a serious game when he would lose he would point to all of the above.. we clearly all of the above were the reason they won and were dominant.. besides Cardozo..
This game was worth nothing.. and JJ won... possibly Benfica could've won much easier if Noleets who has so many sores from sitting on the bench could've just been a bit more precise.. if he was sharp..
Hey maybe we will win the Turd Bowl.. woohoo our season with maybe the best squad EVER at Benfica will not be wasted.. because we won the Turd Championship.
We will not win anything else.. but to have the Turd Bowl on the Bus when the players travel and need a number 2.. is well worth wasting the best squad ever.. for Benfica.
It is not rocket science..
from day one..
I am not a genius but I talked about Noleets, Eduardo, Capedevila, Oliveira, Cesar, Rodrigo, & most especially Cardozo.. none of which were primary starters in the JJ plan for this season.. only injury and forced results changed THE MASTER PLAN, just as they introduced us to Coentrao.. who was FORCED on JJ.
JJ has an ability to NOT appreciate some of the greatest talents on the planet all of which unfortunately had to go through his self absorbed sense of excellence..
Wow great result when it did not matter.. but how many SERIOUS games has JJ won.. seriously.. we are not talking about draws how many gret teams has he beat in his tenure at Benfica .. maybe two wins.. maybe.. the argument is that he has lost 20 to any good team..
Funny besides Mayweather that runs from any good fight padding his stats with losers that he runs from to gain a points victory.. how many elite fighters.. battle for a championship when they are win 2-20 losses.. only in boxing because any poof like that would never make it in MMA.. not even the small shows would take that loser.
Unfortunately if you are a daft Benfica fan.. which there are a few.. in any category.. JJ is a LOSER with a great team.
still behind my team tho , Porto !