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| Thursday, 15 September 2011 15:26 |
Benfica 1-1 Manchester UnitedEagles open campaign with entertaining draw Benfica opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-1 draw against old rivals Manchester United, in an entertaining match that might have ended in a home win, but for the efforts of Anders Lindegaard. A clinical finish from Oscar Cardozo gave Benfica the lead after 24 minutes, but Ryan Giggs levelled the scores four minutes before half-time, with a laser-like effort that left Artur stranded. The Eagles had the better chances in the second half, but it finished honours even at a jam-packed Estadio da Luz.
Jorge Jesus opted for the 4-2-3-1 formation that looks set to become his staple on European nights, and was rewarded with a first-half performance of impressive fluency and cohesion from his men. Ruben Amorim replaced Nolito on the right-hand side of the front three, and his presence allowed Cardozo, Aimar, Gaitan and Witsel a freer reign in the attacking third. Both sides settled well – Valencia burst beyond Emerson to deliver a cross in the third minute, whilst Cardozo combined well with Gaitan to win the game’s first corner soon after. The Eagles were clearly concentrating fiercely on an individual as well as a collective basis, with Luisao in particular delivering a display of notable composure and poise. The captain made a number of crucial interceptions early on, allowing the momentum to creep perceptibly in favour of the home side.  Ahead of Luisao, Javi Garcia was also applying himself with his customary efficiency, and the Spaniard’s neat combination with Gaitan resulted in a number of promising moments for Benfica. Meanwhile, Witsel and Aimar were gliding in-between the United lines, creating space for Gaitan and Amorim, whose layoff eventually found its way to Cardozo. Anders Lindegaard gathered the Paraguayan’s right-footed effort comfortably, but the ascendancy was clearly with the Eagles. Clinical CardozoA few minutes later, they were ahead. Emerson’s speedy pass initially looked to have done Gaitan no favours, but the Argentine, hugging the left touchline, jinked inside his marker before despatching an irresistible cross-field pass in the direction of Cardozo. Benfica’s number seven once again displayed his remarkable physical dexterity, turning Evans inside out with a wonderful piece of control before firing beyond Lindegaard – again with his right foot.With half an hour gone, Jorge Jesus could scarcely have been more satisfied, and when his side won three corners in quick succession, the tactician may even have afforded a momentary feeling of satisfaction. Giggs punishes lapse But any illusion that United would give up was shattered in the 41st minute. Giggs, who had been a peripheral presence for much of the half, received the ball on the edge of the box, with Luisao and Garay left one step behind the United attack for the first time. The veteran’s punishment was swift – a crisp, impeccably struck drive arrowed beyond Artur and into the net. Giggs almost created a second before the half-time whistle, after seizing on a Wayne Rooney ball on the counter-attack. Fortunately for Benfica, the intended target – Park – stood no chance against Luisao in the air, and the whistle blew with the scores level. The second half began in a similarly breathless fashion, but this time it was the away side who appeared the more purposeful. Valencia flashed a low ball across the face of goal, with Artur unable to apply a decisive touch, whilst at the other end, Gaitan in particular found his space reduced by a determined combination of Park and Fabio. Maxi struck both posts with a clipped effort after being played through by Amorim; but the Uruguayan was flagged offside. Jorge Jesus signalled his attacking intent by replacing Amorim with Nolito in the 55th minute, but it was Benfica who found themselves on the back foot in the subsequent spell, with United asserting themselves consistently for the first time. Giggs wriggled free of both Garay and Luisao, but Artur managed to get a hand to his effort, diverting the ball behind for a corner. Rooney, who had been forced deep on numerous occasions, suddenly found the space to apply pressure, and as the final quarter approached, Benfica were under the cosh. The momentum swings againDespite this, the threat from the Eagles was never far away. Nolito came desperately close to scoring a second, latching on to Gaitan’s pass across the box after the Argentine had been released by a delightful through ball from Aimar. However Lindegaard, who on tonight’s evidence may cause De Gea some concern this season, scrambled well to send the ball past the left-hand post. The response from the United bench was immediate, with Nani and Hernandez replacing Fletcher and Valencia, but neither substitute managed to exert much influence on proceedings.Although Jesus had chosen to withdraw Aimar with fifteen minutes remaining, and despite the fact that United enjoyed more possession throughout, it was Benfica who almost snatched all three points during the final stages. Lindegaard tipped a stinging strike from the marauding Maxi over the crossbar, whilst Nolito somehow found his way through a crowd of markers, only to stab his shot into the side netting. Cardozo attempted to apply what would have been a quite sensational coup de grace as stoppage time ticked down, but his hopeful strike, lofted in from the centre circle, went harmlessly over for a goal kick.  In the end, a draw suited both teams, with neither likely to regret tonight’s events come the conclusion of the group stages. A late penalty from Alexander Frei was enough to give Basel a 2-1 home win over Otelul Galati, and it is to Romania that Benfica will travel next, on September 27th. Benfica: Artur; Maxi Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Emerson; Javi Garcia, Witsel; Amorim (Nolito, 55’), Aimar (Matic, 74’), Gaitan (Bruno Cesar, 90’); Cardozo. Goals [1-0] Cardozo, 24’ [1-1] Giggs, 41’ Ben Shave |
Only difference is it still too early to judge this campaign.
NJ in refence to Nolito I heard those comments from JJ and I thought Nolito has played both sides of the ball. I find it funny because both Aimar and Gaitan have been here a few seasons and have yet learned to play the other side of the ball.. Aimar is the better of the two by far as he makes The defensive liability isn't on Nolito's side of the ball, and I am sure JJ will make lots of excuses not to play the players that have earned starts.. and inclusion.
Hey it is still too early to judge JJ for this campaign I was just balancing all the praise I was hearing when technically he has made the same errors he made last year and the year before. Although this squad is better than last years I am sure the results will be better this year, but win the Liga that will depend on JJ. The proof is in the pudding and Porto comes soon.
Sorry if I was coming off as a downer I really like this squad and would like to see it utilized properly. I would've rather had the kids go on loan than wasting a year of their development.
But before I go and kill JJ, I'm waiting to see what will transpire. Benfica has looked good so far.
Yes, we tend to play down to the competittion, so it's a wait and see verse the minnoes in the CL and league.
If you remember we destroyed minnoes with the Di Maria and Ramires squad two seasons ago.
I actually understand not playing your strongest at times, due to schedule, but this is a CL match with an upcoming match vs Academica. No offense to Os Estudantes, but I would have prefered to run Nolito into the ground verse Man United and let him rest over the weekend.
I'm with you in regards to Amorin. The perception of starting him for defensive help, is not reality. Unlike others, I thought that Amorin was very poor, especially with his first touch.
As for Emerson, I like him. I think that others have been critical, due to Coentrao's performance last season. He's a different type of player, more physical, but has actually looked dangerous when he has gone forward. He's still getting acclamated to the country, team, league and pressure. Not easy.
Granted, I think that Capdevilla will still be integral to the squad. I also believe that he can be added to the CL squad after the Group Stages.
I do agree with people who say it was crazy to include Peixoto in the reserves, when JJ himself said that Peixoto wasn't even with the club.
To give some credit to JJ, he went after Nolito hard, in regards to his selfishness on the field and lack of defense. From what I've seen, Nolito has worked very hard in getting back on defense, and has still remained dangerous on attack.
I'm also of the beliefe that players like Bruno, Matic, Enzo and even Rodrigo and Oliveira will be integrated into the squad as the season goes on.
Aimar will need rest, as will Axel.
Keep in mind that Benfica probably thinks of Nico as their next big ticket item. He will continue to be featured, and frankly I hope that he brings us plenty of profit. I'm not as high on him as others.
Aimar will also be an interesting situation as the season wears on. He seems rejuvinated, but he won't last teh season at this pace. I've always loved him, and I do think that he's critical. I rather keep him at Benfica, even as his effectiveness diminishes, due to his experience and leadership qualities. I know that he isn't Portuguese, but he could become very much like what Nuno was at the end.
Orlando, I don't disagree with you, but the team has been producing, and looks poised from the season.
I am also of the belief that a change in manager could actually be worst than what we've got.
Let me add that although he may be a good manager, I still think that AVB was as much a product of the talent he had at Porto as his own managerial prowess. He is loaded with talent, albeit fragile/old/whiny, at Chelsea once again.
I also think that Pereira just might be ill equiped to lead Porto. Some of his comments have made him seem very hands off, and that may come back to bite him.
We are not Barcelona for sure, and it's unrealistic to expect that sort of level...but we have improved hugely from last season. Barcelona aside (who are a serious cut above the rest), there isn't any other club in europe that I would fear to play, with this squad of players we have. At our best we can take on any team, certainly at Da Luz! Hopefully our away performances will improve, but with JJ playing this fluid 4-2-3-1, there's a good chance they will! I certainly hope so.
I will stop complaining about JJ when he finally once plays the best 11..
All at Once.
Not one time this year has that happened.
The reason for this is his best are not the best.
He has never started everyone that the experts would start..
not once.
Yes I appreciate a draw against Man U is a good result but let's face facts a draw at home in the CL is a loss in a series.
True or False?
No offence but a lot of English teams at present have bloated payrolls because they have high priced homegrown talent, almost none of who are talented at the highest level.
True or False?
To put my comments into perspective you have to appreciate that I lived in England for years, I am a huge England Fan (usually cheer for ties when they play our NT, and hope they never are matched up), and it is my favourite league by far. Man U is also one of my top teams in England the other is Sunderland, not to mention others that I follow regularly.
So that Man U that was fielded was very beatable.. and yet they had more of the ball, where we had more opportunities.
Fact is we could've won that game. If Nolito had started, if a second striker would've been brought in later like Rodrigo or better yet Oliveira who ended better in the U-20's.
Magically he is Portuguese which is an automatic demotion unless you are playing badly... like Amorim or Peixoto or any other lousy player that JJ has called upon that isn't foreign.
Does JJ like Portuguese Players or not?
True or False?
Hey I like Amorim.. but contrary to what NJ says he is no D back.. he is worse than Emerson back there.. he is a midfielder and an excellent one when on form.
Unfortunately the last time he was on form was 2 years ago, before he got injured at the WC. So a better call would've been to play him against a weaker team in the Liga first, not just throw him in against the giants of Europe.
True or False?
Hey NJ is so big on Matic yet still doesn't complain as Amorim is rated higher on the managers pecking order. Don't tell me Matic wouldn't have slotted in nicely in for Amorim with two at the DM and Axel pushing forward.
But the big question is why does a player who never started all year.. start in such a big match?
Smart Call/Bad Call?
Why is Nolito, the best player on the team.. sitting?
Smart Call/Bad Call?
Why is Javi who has been exposed repeatedly the last two years still starting every match?
Smart Call/Bad Call?
Surely we could've sat him because of Matic and last year Airton he should've been benched most nights...
Straight up lets vote and end speculative conversations like NJ's:
"Andre, I was with you in regards to the Capdevilla situation, but by all accounts he came in out of shape and has been slow to integrate himself. I really thought he was going to be a huge addition, especially in experience"
NJ by all accounts (you are talking rumours) and even from those that hate Capedevila like myself, the common ground is in the two games he has played in, he was far superior to Emerson.
True or False?
The only slow one is JJ.. his appreciation of skill is like no other.. he is like an off time dancer that never stops.. and never is on time.That is a skill unto it self.
NJ states:
"how come AVB never got killed for his antics on the sideline, when JJ does."
Mainly because AVB was not at the touch line the whole game and when he was and most especially when he was animated it was against the other team or the official and not his own players.
The reason AVB is applauded is because he supports his team. So the difference is clear NJ. JJ's specialty is he gets angry at his own players more than he does others on the touchline.
True/False?
Is AVB better than JJ?
True or False?
So you can hope all you want.. and 4 iffy Liga games and some dropped points as well as a couple of close Euro results have you and Andre all excited.
You have seen great results and all I have seen is mediocrity.
My goals are final 8 Champions and a Liga win no toilet bowl cups.
Truth is even with a good draw like we got, the Man U one at home was not our toughest game.. our tough games come against the minnows away.
We should easily get second but JJ with his inept skill might just cause us to go out 3rd in our easy group and end in the Europa League. Even there under his tutelage and the best Benfica squad in years the best he could accomplish would be a final 16 berth in Europa.
Hey we have a great squad one worthy of much more but as they say you are only as good as your weakest link. Guess who the weakest link is?
Top Ten weaknesses on Benfica.. is JJ on that list?
True or False?
JJ is Running for President with the slogan of:
"Making Everything Look Hard, One Day at a Time"
Also for some I agree sometimes it is right for a defensive formation but wouldn't that have meant Matic.. who has played or is that Amorim who hasn't?
True/False?
Now if he started one whole starting line-up than maybe I convince myself like the others that he was on the right path. But all I see is the same low ball decision making.
Take a look at one of his early starting line-ups.. to see his mastery in action:
Saviola
Gaitan - Aimar - Perez
Javi - Matic
Emerson - Garay - Luisao - Maxi
Artur
Besides Garay - Luisao - Maxi all I see is question marks..
In the real world a good Manager plays his best teams in the most important games and plays the weakest bunch in the ones that don't to keep everyone fresh..
Has JJ has done that?
True or False?
Is Notlito not the best player on the team this year?
True or False?
Hey many have other opinions to mine.. but when you count them all up you will see.. 80% of my detractors agree with me 80% of the time.
Count back the questions.. and mark yourself..
Anyways even for me JJ has made better decisions this year.. yet a line-up that I called JJ proof in pre-season has still been not.
So I am not angry with him.. just question where he is making these decisions from..?
We are shaping up to do well in this group. I am not getting carried away, but if we beat the other two at Da Luz which i fully expect us to, I estimate we'd only need another 2 points to guarantee second place. We will play Galati at the big new stadium in Bucharest and that could be to our advantage: it is not Galati's regular ground and will unlikely be packed to capacity. If we can impose our game there, then the 3 points should be achievable.
Emerson looks a good athlete and has a lot of energy, but looks a little shakey defensively at times..perhaps he just needs more games under his belt. I still can't see the sense in including Peixoto ahead of Capdevila in the CL squad though. All in all though, all the new players are adapting well, and Nolitol has been a revelation so far! The last remaining player that needs to get integrated is Rodrigo, I would play him from the start against Academica on sunday to get him feeling "part of the group". Apparently he was excellent at the under 20 WC, and deserves a chance soon. Anyway good to have all these options eh?
By the way, how come AVB never got killed for his anctics on the sideline, when JJ does. Just a thought, although winning cures all ills.
Andre, I was with you in regards to the Capdevilla situation, but by all accounts he came in out of shape and has been slow to integrate himself. I really thought he was going to be a huge addition, especially in experience, but he just might of thought his "name" would be enough. Remember that he was coming from a successful squad in Spain, where he feels that he's come to an inferior league to play CL and show himself for Spain's squad. Villarreal did let him go for free for a reason.
Emerson was actually one of the players that I was looking forward to see. I actually wanted Nani to start so we can see how he would have dealt with his speed.
I thought that Emerson had a good game. He didn't close on a couple of crosses, but all in all a good game. I liked that he was aggressive and played tight on the man, on the longer passes. Very active, and didn't looked tired as the match wore on.
I too would have started Nolito, just because I thought that Amorin was a bad option. He's more Maxi's backup at this point. In my opinion he was also poor with his touches.
I would have prefered Enzo, but he's still out.
Call me crazy, but I would have like to have seen Rodrigo brought in at 75th as well, for Cardozo. I get the whole politics of playing Saviola, and not wanting to lose him mentally for the season. Or worst, become a problem in the backroom. But JJ could have given him the start this weekend.
Let me add that we need to remember that we are still a selling club. Benfica plans to make money, a probably a lot, off Nico. They will always showcase him. SAF also did us a huge favor with his comments after the match. They do carry weight.
Overall we outplayed Man U and if we had won the match, it would have been justified. I am not worried at all about this group, and believe that 9 points will be enoough to qualify. The one detail i disagree with JJ so far this season is putting Emerson in the first team ahead of Capdevila, who I think would offer much more security and experience on the left side of the defence. But overall i praise the job JJ has done so far!!
Amorim really?
This is normal, this is par for the course.
Funny how the two best players on the team weren't ever in the plans to start.
Cardozo was not fast enough to play alone.. Saviola was the man.
Then Gaitan was the saviour on the left and Nolito was a sub..
Hey Gaitan had one of his best games ever.. I will be the first to say that.. he always seems to play really well when on a big stage with a potential to possibly look for future pay rises abroad.. shame he couldn't play in Europe every week... but he ain't no Nolito even at his best.
Old habbits die hard and a result could've definitely been had since we were playing an English team, the Portuguese have a history of feeding well off of the cocky Brits ravaging them repeatedly.
Javi as I have stated many times before is not that great at DM and got his doors blown off by Giggs. Time to start Matic there Danilo would've been better.
All in all it is a good result.. but as we start playing in more important games.. decisions like the ones today could result in disastrous results for the club.
But Benfica can do better.. our main weakness is always performing poorly against minnows.. so I am more scared playing the others.
Fergie was saving face on the day in the only threat game so he started others as a way of defusing a potential loss away against the best manager in the world.. but as long as Benfica can overcome the other hurdles I am sure we can walk into Old Trafford and with Nolito starting and a young sub striker in Oliveira or Rodrigo we could walk out with a 2-0 win.
They have a few great players in the squad at the moment they just need to be played at the same time, in the right formations.
Funny how JJ has discovered this formation now that everyone was telling him against the elite he should be playing this way for 3 years. What a genius.. next year he will realize that Nolito and the kids are starters.
Luisao was a stud in the back. Its fantastic he signed a new contract. Still one of the top ten CBs in the world.
The team overall played fine, but they certainly had an opportunity to take 3 points and secure they're spot in the next round and in turn not have to beat up the core of the squad and give the youngsters an opportunity to develop in the Liga fixtures. Remember JJ it's Liga & Taca first then CL/EL. Of course the financial rewards that come from going deep in Europe is a focus and important, but we must take Liga.
Eu sou Benfica!
There were a lot of positives to take from the match: Luisao and Garay looked super solid and a good central defensive partnership is developing there, Rooney didn't get a sniff of the goal the entire match! Gaitan was excellent throughout and that was the best I have ever seen him play for us. And all of those who wanted to sell Cardozo this summer, what do they say now? I have never doubted his talent for finding the back of the net, and this loan striker role of the 4-2-3-1 is really suiting him well.
I was also pleasantly surprised with how well JJ's tactics and selection and substitutions worked on the night...he has taken a lot of criticism in the last year, a lot of it justified, but seems to have learned and is becoming a lot more flexible. His tactics worked a treat last night, playing Amorim gave us more defensive solidity in the midfield and stopped Man U being able to produce deadly counter attacks. I thought Ruben did very well. And JJ's substitutions were very clever. When it became apparent that the match was win-able, he brought on Nolito (who nearly won the match for us, i'm liking more and more that i see of him, he's the kind of player that gives defences a real headache!) And in the closing stages, he brought on Matic to make sure that we got at least a draw out of the game. Well done JJ, and well done the boys overall. Still unbeaten so far and getting better with every game. I think the Quarter finals of the CL is a realistic target for this squad!!
As expected, Man United sat many of its players, and this was far from their best squad options. Except for the goalie it was basically last seasons starters.
What I liked most was how Benfica pushed the action and always looked dangerous. Even when Man United played considerably better and faster, Benfica still countered and looked more dangerous.
Fabio, I don't disagree with your Javi comments, but mostly because I think that Matic is going to be very good. On a few occasions, including Giggs goal, both Javi and Axel got caught out of position.
Let me give credit to Artur who made a critical stop.
Luisao was also very good, as was Cardozo. Not bad for a supposedly slow footed, bad finishing striker, huh Bryan/SCB. LOL! Couldn't resist.
The thing that I'll get the most grief for, but don't understand, is why Amorin started. I get that he was our fall back midfielder, and I guess was there for defensive purpose. But he is coming off injury and was very poor. I would have prefered that Nolito started. The way Man United was playing in the 1st half, we could have gotten more than one goal.
Too me, it reeks that Amorin started just so we had a Portuguese in the 11. If that was the case, it was a poor decision. Ultimately Amorins play proved that.
I get it that we have a ton of foreigners, but let's put out our best. If anyone deserved all three points it was Benfica, and it was a shame we didn't nab them.
Lastly the referee was poor both ways, but it really hurt Benfica more. The handball at the edge of the box, and Aimar was clipped as well.
I know that Basel won and leads the group, but both Man United and Benfica should get through. We can't take it for granted, but we are better than the other two teams.