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| Sunday, 02 September 2012 21:01 |
Benfica 3-0 NacionalEagles unconvincing but victorious.jpg) Benfica brought the curtain down on an intriguing first three rounds of the 2012/13 season with a 3-0 victory over Nacional at the Estádio da Luz tonight, in an encounter which saw the home side take all three points despite being significantly below par – especially during a miserable opening 45 minutes. But goals from the ever-reliable Cardozo and Rodrigo were enough to put the Eagles joint top along with Porto, heading into the international break.
After much speculation over who would replace Javi García at the base of the Benfica midfield, Jorge Jesus went for his instincts and selected the most attacking option: Axel Witsel, with Carlos Martins coming into the side behind Rodrigo and Cardozo. New signing Lima was not among the match squad. Nacional travelled to Lisbon seeking their first win of the season, and a similarly spiky performance to the one they produced at the Luz in 2011 – an encounter that ended in a post-match melee.  There were no fisticuffs during the opening minutes, but they were notable for another aggressive set-up from the home side. Benfica’s formation resembled a 1930’s-esque 2-3-5 at times, with Melgarejo and Maxi closer to the opponent’s goal than their own; and Witsel dropping deep to link up with Luisão and Garay. This attacking approach inevitably left space for Nacional to work with, and the Madeira club managed to get behind the Benfica back line almost right from the word go – although Melgarejo did manage a vital clearance with Rondón poised to strike. After twelve minutes, Benfica almost took the lead. A mazy run from Enzo Pérez was followed by a neat flick from Rodrigo. The onrushing Salvio arrived into the box late and unleashed a fierce strike, but saw his effort fly off the post and behind.  That slick move was as good as it got for Benfica during the opening 45 minutes, as the Eagles elected to deliver a succession of speculative at best diagonal passes forward, rather than play through the midfield. By contrast, Nacional continued to build from the back and work the ball out wide, which led to a number of chances – the best of which forced Artur into a smart stop to deny Rondón on 23 minutes. Four minutes later, Skolnik ought to have made it 1-0 to Pedro Caixinha’s men. The Slovenian midfielder drove forward and played a neat one-two with Mateus, but after receiving the Angolan’s return pass could only shoot over the bar from close range. On the touchline, Jorge Jesus was cutting an increasingly harassed figure (another chance for Salvio failed to assuage his anxiety), taking the opportunity to deliver instructions to Melgarejo and Witsel in particular during every break in play.  Meanwhile, the crowd were becoming increasingly agitated, and when Melgarejo produced a backheel clearance in the six-yard box that can only be described as heart stopping, the collective intake of breath was palpable around the Estádio da Luz. Half time arrived with much to ponder for the Eagles.At first, the second half looked set to pan out in much the same way, with Benfica disjointed and Nacional on the front foot. But then, two near-identical goals in six minutes put Benfica firmly (if somewhat improbably) in the driving seat. Maxi Pereira and then Eduardo Salvio both refused to give up on what were seemingly lost causes down the right wing, and both delivered crosses for Cardozo then Rodrigo to head home. Suddenly, the Luz was alive, and Benfica were ahead. The two-goal cushion set Benfica up for an altogether more comfortable final half an hour. Although the Eagles were remained some way off their fluent best, Nacional appeared understandably deflated, and struggled to attack with the same intensity and cohesion they had displayed during the opening half.  The introduction of Pablo Aimar during the last eighteen minutes ensured a significant improvement in ball retention from Benfica, and allowed them to close out the match with relative comfort. On 88 minutes El Mago notched up his third assist in two matches, teeing up Cardozo for a simple finish after a lovely exchange with Witsel. The Eagles resume their Liga campaign in three weeks, at Académica. Nacional remain bottom, and the break promises no shortage of discomforting thoughts for Pedro Caixinha. Goals [1-0] Cardozo 51’ [2-0] Rodrigo 57’ [3-0] Cardozo 88’ Benfica: Artur; Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Garay, Melgarejo; Witsel, Salvio, Carlos Martins (Matic 45’), Enzo Pérez (Nolito 66’); Rodrigo (Aimar 72’), Cardozo. Nacional: Vladan; João Aurélio, Moreno, Revson, Marçal; Claudemir, Skolnik, Isae; Candeias (Mihelic 77’), Rondón, Mateus. Ben Shave |
Matic I like but of late he has looked more like a Witsel than a Javi.. as a box to box not as a DM but am optimistic that he can adapt and play well there, he is brighter than Javi.. so it potentially could pay off well.
His challenges will be that JJ is gravitating to an all out offensive line-up and with little to no support going in reverse.. life could be very busy covering for the likes of the defensively inept Malgarejo..
Anyways we have to wait a bit to actually see what JJ has planned but I am sure it will have Aimar or Martins in the midfield to help.. not that either of those players is helpful in their own end.
Will hope for the best options taken..
Look how good Barcelona are now after years of giving their young talent opportunities in the senior team. Look at the German national team, they put their faith in their youngsters and they are clearly one of the strongest teams in Europe at the moment. This should be serious food for thought for SLB. We've largely only put in foreign players for the last 5 years now, and have failed to win many trophies in this period. It's time we tried something different and the talent is there for sure. I would play them all alongside the senior bench players (Lima, Jardel, Kardec etc etc) for both the Taca and Bwin cup matches coming up soon, to get them used to the senior team...as well as to keep our senior players fresh and rested.
As for Miguel Vitor playing at DM, i too think it would be a good idea and would likely make us much stronger defensively and less prone to counter-attacks. But somehow I don't see it happening. JJ is stubborn as we all know, and I've read a quote from him on Record.net that after the sale of Javi, the DM position belongs to Matic now...and JJ is unlikely to alter his plan, as history has shown. Hopefully I'm wrong...but in any case I still think Matic has the makings to be a very good DM...so let's wait and see.
His mistakes at the back are horrendus, that he didn't score in his own net or get another assist or two for the opposition was sheer fluke.
But I would rather have Luisinho or Martins get a crack.. although Martins must be injured because he hasn't started of late for Team B.. that has been Carole..
Anyways.. both of those options would be favourable.. also then Malgarejo could share duty with Nolito on the left.. Cesar should split time with Aimar and even Gaitan in the middle.. against stronger opposition.. with Vitor and Matic at DM & box to box.. Matic could also be spelled against weaker foe in the middle to add the AM in a 4-4-2.
All in all if JJ wants we could be switching formations every half.. depending on the game and we could do some serious damage..
As for Witsel, I don't blame him for wanting to double or treble his salary. Money has become the name of the game in european club football these days, and most players move on for more of it. It is disappointing, but is the reality. In the end the deal was good for all concerned, Zenit get a quality player who they could afford. Witsel gets a fat salary, and we make a big profit on him, that we can use to strengthen the whole squad.
I just think Witsel could've waited another year, played another season for us and then could've gone to a really big team like Real or Barca etc etc next summer. For more money he's gone to a team no better than Benfica, and to a league ranked lower than the Liga. It was his decision in the end and I respect it, and we all move on. I wish him all the best and am thankful for the great play he gave us last season.
As for playing for the shirt, where did some of these guys go? Rui Costa, Figo, Cristiano, Ronaldinho, Beckham, etc... Played for several shirts. None of them diminished. Ronaldinho partied too much, it had nothing to do with club.
Let me add that this Zenit club can promise money but CL play as well. He'll be able to showcase himself there.
And by the way, he would be far and away our best left back if he was still on the squad. Who knows, maybe he could have gotten better, he wasn't old.
It's incomprehensible to me that we have a young kid that has no business playing left back, playing there. If that's what you want, fine. But let him learn the position on the B Squad for a year. A CL caliber squad should be dealing with this.
Again, the 4 mil spent on Lima would have been better served towards any left back available.
I would love to see the Vitor and Matic in a 4-2-3-1. You can put Nolito/Bruno wide left, Aimar/Nico mid and Enzo/Salvio wide right. Cardozo up top.
JJ's 15 day suspension is a joke. I understand clubs can't criticize refs, but when video replay clearly shows offsides, maybe an apology is in order. Fouls can be disputed and interpreted, but this was a clear offside. Not even half a body or leaning.
People keep talking about the players on the B Squad. When, in January? The CL could be long gone by then.
When I heard they reached that I was happy.. that is a lot of money for a box to box midfielder.. no matter how lively he is.
I was disappointed Javi didn't fetch more money.. or in LFV for once again buying more wingers and attackers and forgetting that we need defenders.
This gaffe has left us exposed.. although like you I have confidence in the Portuguese players on hand.. problem still is JJ's passport control..
JJ only plays Portuguese players for the most part that are on their way out.. or moves them so they are playing out of position and ineffectively. Like he did with Vitor as a Fullback last year.. in the DM role that he would suit I am not sure he will be the choice.
Anyways will have to wait to see.
But there is no doubt with both him and Javi gone we are looking short in midfield now. The time has arrived to take a chance on our promising youngsters from the B team...Rosa, Almeida and Andre Gomes. And Gaitan should finally be tried out in what is probably his best position, number 10, so as to keep Aimar fresh and rested for the most important matches, where his experience will be vital. Martins and Bruno Cesar can both also play either number 8 or 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and Orlando you're right that Miguel Vitor could play in holding midfield...so there are still options in our midfield, and we still have quality for sure. Let's not get too worried now!
Defence is more of a concern for me, if one of our centre-backs get badly injured, we will only have 3 available. We should've either kept Roderick or brought in another centre-back for cover. There are rumours that the Mexican centre-back Reyes may join in January, and that would be a good thing as he is real quality. Hopefully Melgarejo improves match by match at left-back...or JJ realises that the safest option to play there is Luisinho (less flashy and quick, but a DEFENDER proper!). NJ you must really be the only Benfiquista who misses Emerson! I am thankful for the hard-work he gave to the team last season, but over-all he just didn't have the quality neccesary for Benfica. I wish him all the best in Turkey and Trabzonspor will likely be a better club for him and his level of ability.
For now I would promote 2 of the midfield youngsters to the first team, and then in January sign a new centre-back, left-back and defensive midfielder (it's not as if we haven't got the funds for this now!). There's still a lot of potential in this squad and I haven't given up on optimism that we could have a really good season ahead...
I really like Matic, and actually think that he's better on the ball than Javi and sees the field better. The problem is that JJ will use him as like for like replacement for Javi when maybe Witsel would make more sense.
Unfortunately I can see Martins being paired next to Matic in a 4-2-3-1. Laughable.
I'm still amazed that we don't have a left back. Who knew I would miss Emerson so quickly.
We attacked like crazy, with barely an assembled defense, yet we looked bad.
I think that Rodrigo and Cardozo will be fine. I could see them fighting it out for the league leader in goals.
And yes, Nolito should be on the field more. Wait, Nico is due back eventually. Lol.
JJ talked of the great Portuguese talent on the B team naming Almeida, Gomes, and even Martins.. in his last breath he even mentioned Matic.. said he had enough cover for the LB & DM position.
As soon as he said that I knew he was going to move Witsel back to DM slide in Martins to play for Witsel.. and leave the horibly inept Malgarejo at the back.
Now I love a 4-4-2.. more than most.. and it is the only formation to play against weak squads in the Liga.. because the two strikers in the middle lock the CB's and at times pull the DM & even the Fullbacks in.. creating space down the wings that is perfect for the Portuguese style of play.. creates much more offence and it is easier to cross because you have more people in the box as targets (ARE YOU LISTENING BENTO).
But no offense Jon & Andre what were you watching to call that a 4-4-2.. at the best of times with the most men back in the second half it was at best a 3-3-4 AT BEST in rare moments maybe 3 to 4 mintues of the game!!!
Most of the first half on attack it was a 2-1-7 with Witsel in the middle.
No one was dropping back.. and Nacional who looks like their worst in probably 10 years.. did the smart thing.. going with at times what looked like a 2-8 Two attacking the ball and 8 behind them to block all the holes possible in attack.
When Benfica switched to defence whoever the fullback was on the side the ball was carried would drop back to make it 3 then also the winger & Martins ocasionaly would drop back to create the 3-3-4, rarely.
Now JJ is a very simple man.. and it looks like he has found a new formation.. learns one every other year.. but he thinks piling more people forward creates more offence contrary to his belief what it does is give you no space to work with in the attacking zone.. and no one in midfield to get you the ball in attack.
Witsel, Luisao, Garay were mad men in the first half.. they were everywhere and I felt if the game continued like that for 60 mins.. they would've all pooched in the first half.
Great heroic performances that can't be carried on for too many games or they will get injured or literally exhaust themselves in the first quarter of the season.
Malgarejo when he decided to grace the back line instilled all of our faiths that he has to be the worst LB defensively in the History of the club.. his near misses again had the hearts of the Luz.. racing.. almost scoring another wonder own goal or two.. not to mention his penchant for being free with the ball at the back.. and making the perfect pass to the opposition to score another magical free goal. His backheel almost went off of the attacker and would've left Artur high and dry.
The only fortunate thing about yesterdays game in the first half.. is that this years Nacional.. has to be one of the worst squads they have had in 10 years. They sucked and with open fields in front of them and a tired back 3 they couldn't counter the ethiopian back line and the invisible midfield.
If any good team gets that formation they will crush Benfica like we haven't been crushed before.
Imagine Barcelona's midfield against the nonexistant one yesterday.. not to mention what Celtic will do to us if JJ lines up with those tactics against them.
Spartak, & Celtic are scrappy teams... I for one did not think we were given an easy group.. we were given a group of fighters.. and we will miss Europa League if JJ doesn't get smacked hard and fast.
This is not pessimism.. as I think with the right formation.. we could win this group ahead of Barca because I believe. This is reality boys.. if JJ shows up with his Tom Foolery.. he will blow our winning season.. with the best team in the Liga.. and one that can compete with the greats in Europe.
Let's get back to the game.. if not for the fortuitis injury of Martins that forced JJ to bring in some more mid strength.. before half.. we would've probably lost this match. Matic's arrival and overhaul of the game was the only thing Ben missed from his great report.. as he was bang on the money.. (Ben is a guy that when I disagree with I still leave having a great found respect for him).
As soon as Matic arrived the game changed immeasurably.. like Andre has said and I wholeheartedly agree with.. Javi who was playing great.. and was really suited to being forced to play defence with JJ's new formation.. was a cluster f at times and would pull the grenade pin too early and have it explode in his face defensively in past seasons costing us many big games.
Matic although I was calling for him to replace Javi early last season.. ended up having a bad year and looked lost at DM when introduced last season.. my perception was that he was a better box to box like Witsel than he was a DM which is what I was led to believe the latter.
But I will say this.. as soon as Matic walked out last night.. the game changed on a dime.. Benfica got more control of the midfield.. the attacks started.. and the JUGGERNAUTS of Cardozo & Rodrigo lit up the Luz..
I was skeptical of this partnership last year.. but since Rodrigo has learned to pass.. the two have a synergy that RAPES defences.. gang style like dolphins (not for the squeamish Googlers).
Not since Falcao & Hulk at Porto in that wonder season has there been seen such a destructive duo. These two are made of greatness.. and fortunately for Benfica fans.. have both flown under the radar.. but even with JJ's incompetence.. that will end this season, JJ is responsible to deliver these wonderkind to the promised land.. so that they can walk on water.
So Matic comes on.. and even with the back 7 crunching space on Benfica.. Salvio fights hard and as Ben stated Maxi too.. the two had no give.. and Maxi going all the way to the line looked and saw the Goaldozer.. in the middle of 3 DEFENDERS and found him masterfully from a horrible angle.. cue the first goal..
Equally impressive.. Salvio who fought off 3 defenders at the line.. and kept scrapping till he got some space.. finally proved that he can pass.. finding Hot Rod to demonstratively smash it into the net for the second.
This is where I have to challenge Andre.. although we agree on almost everything (except that he can't blame JJ for all the failures).. Andre and I are on the same page most of the time.. albeit it a wide page...lol
I was the loudest anti-Salvio guy.. but not once did I say he was a bad player.. let me clarify... I said it was too much money for Salvio..
Some of the others and I also said he was streaky and injury prone.. so Andre do not get too excited yet because he hasn't proven anything.
Like any hot shot Argentinian.. he has talent but is a ball hog.. and has to learn to pass.. learn to cross.. and most importantly.. learn that there is a whole new world in your own teams defensive half of the field. In other words discover that there is a TEAM around him.
At Athletico he learned on the bench.. that he had to diversify..
So far I have actually witnessed him upon losing the ball... tracking that player and fighting him for the ball... on occasion... Impressive..
Yesterday for the first time.. ever .. we witnessed him make a great cross.. and making good passes.. (only in the 2nd half) this before Athletico's bench was unheard of.
So to put my statements in context.. what I said is that in Gaitan and Perez we had cover on that wing.. not that I would mind losing either.. and if anything instead of loaning our Oliveira.. it should've been him in Salvio's role creating as he does for the Goaldozer and Hot Rod who any moron can pass to and get an assist in their current form.
So Oliveira for free and a new DM & LB of the highest quality could've been attained.. remarkably they could've been Portuguese too.. although JJ's passport check is quite intensive.
But Salvio has impressed he has played beyond his previous abilities.. and this is all great news.
He is in the top 3 so far for the squad.. with Hot Rod & Goaldozer.. but you also forgot that I mentioned he was streaky.. and injury prone.. so please do not jinx the dude after 3 games.
He is worth the 14 mil if he maintains this pace.. and will be worth 40 when we sell him.. but we need a full season out of him. You Hairy Palming yourself after 3 games is not going to help anyone.
As for Enzo I like him but if anyone should be playing the D role it is him.. Malgarejo should be on the left wing attacking only if this is the squad JJ wants.
But in reality what most have left out.. is when Nolito & Aimar came in late.. it was only then that Benfica found control.
It seems JJ is pulling a Nuno Gomes on Nolito their second top scorer last season.. he is giving him less and less playing time.. in the hopes that he deflates the fans love for him and he can prove his mastery by starting another.
Egg on face is all that stubborn sideline jester knows.. his all attack formation in the first half was all but.. and playing Cesar & Perez (Perez who literally called him a tool before being ejected last season) has been a failure on the left.
Nolito defends and brings the type of game to the left that forces defences to defend and would create a ton of space for Hot Rod, Goaldozer, and Salvio who is exceptional at running into space at the far post and tapping in goals.
WTF does Nolito have to do.. to gain love.. he hasn't even played a full game as a winger and has a goal and a few assists in 3 games on the bench.. why is this not easier than it should be.
Malgrejo should be his sub.. and Perez if JJ is stubborn not Martins or Luisinho should start at LB.
The best Defensive Mid in the organization is Airton.. that JJ ex-comminicated to Brazil.. he should start.. but in his absence it should be.. Miguel Vitor.. a very mobile and amazing in the air defender.. there is no question.
Only a retard could not see that Vitor would own that role and that finally we would have some control at the back.. even with JJ's retarded no defence formations. Vitor would make Javi look like a retarded midget in a wheel chair with a face grommet.. in defence.
Matic & Witsel would be used to add steel to the box to box middle in tougher games.. such as with Porto and the CL giants..
Fortunately for Benfica this has to be the worst time ever for management genuises in the Liga.. of the top 4 Peseiro is probably the best, followed by a dense Pereira, JJ actually would be in the top 3 as Sa Pinto has to be one of the worst morons ever to grace the game.. and I feel for my Sporting friends who deserved to axe their board and sit on Paciencia for a couple of seasons for him to make them insane in talent and game..
Anyways it is great to easily get 3 points after such incompetence.. clear fact that I could be right.. this team could be finally.. JJ proof.
But I doubt it.. as I give JJ a lot of credit.. he is The Opposite Theory of Intelligence.. he is a Genuis at Failure.. the Maestro of Mayhem.. the Joking Jester.
I have full confidence in him to trully F everything up, as he consistently has.
I will never underestimate his power of "Making Everything Look Diffiult" as he consistently has mastered this art above anoyone in the world.
Bento is no rocket scientist but with JJ at the helm.. Portugal would always narrowly miss any tournament.. with one of the greatest teams on the planet.. of course also JJ wouldn't have any Portuguese players on the National team starting.. CR & Nani would be subs.. Coentrao would only get a match after Peixoto would go done in injury again.. Cardozo would be allowed to play but JJ would be constantly trying to bench him. CR like Nolito would be scoring 3 goals evry game off of the bench.. but JJ would be giving him less minutes every game.. and Artur.. would get very little credit as he has had over the first few games.. for having an anemic defence in front of him.. and anorexic midfield.
Artur is the man.. quietly impressive in JJ's wake.
That is reality my friends.. Andre after agreeing with everything will deny it all.. Jon will still request the 4-2-3-1.. even when we play Moldova.. NJ will agree but will ramble on about the potential to sell Southern turds.. for more money than better players..
Intelligent fans from Sporting, Porto, and Braga will politely disagree.. and try to be fair in their retorts.
Then Bryan & the under belly of Porto's greatness not to mention Hairy Palms will come in and call everyone idiots for making the most rational statements.
They will cry red, green, blue goggles but yet never see how distorted their red, blue, green tunnels are.. and they will mention tunnels ad nauseum...
So although I have a lot of confidence in the players that make up the squads throughout the Liga.. we have to hope that they over compensate for the retards at the helm.
Anyways.. next season JJ will learn that only Luisao should defend and he will sell Garay.. and it will be a 1-1-8 formation.
Matic coming on changed everything. We looked much more balanced between defence and attack, and Witsel was able to play further forward in his best position. Matic simply has to be the number 1 choice to play holding midfielder for us with Javi gone now. I say it again, I think Matic has the potential to be an improvement on Javi in that position. He looks more likely to keep concentrated and stay back in his position. Javi too often was caught too far forward and unable to prevent dangerous counter-attacks. What we want is Matic staying back at all times protecting the centre-backs, with the rest of the team pushing forward. I also think it would be wise to promote either Almeida or Andre Gomes to the senior squad to provide cover for Matic in that position.
And Cardozo and Rodrigo showed yet again the firepower we have in the team. We can play mostly below-par and still score 3 goals in a match, this is a good sign. I wonder if so many people are still thinking signing Salvio was a mistake? He's been sensational in these first 3 games, with 2 goals and a few assists already. I always thought he'd be a good signing for us. Aimar did great when he came on too, and gave us a lot more balance and ability to keep possesion of the ball. Aimar should definitely be included in the starting line-up when we play Barcelona, as he has the experience and technical ability to take on a team as good as Barca. It is great to have so many options in the squad. Would have been better to have one more defender in the squad, and if we can get one in the January window, then this squad would look very strong and capable of doing great things this season.
In the second half, Matic came on and Benfica improved considerably. With Matic staying deep, Witsel was able to play his preferred box-to-box role, which really improved Benfica's attacking play.
As the game progressed, Benfica began to dominate with Salvio, in particular, creating havoc. In the end, the 3-0 win was well deserved, but it was far from a vintage Benfica display.
JJ is agonizingly stubborn with his tactics, but hopefully he'll learn that the 4-2-3-1 helps his side both offensively and defensively.
Our next match will be our Champions League opener against Celtic. The Scottish side may not be as good as us on paper, but it's always difficult to get a result at their stadium. A 4-2-3-1 with Matic as the trinco would be our best bet if we want to get a difficult away win.