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| Saturday, 21 August 2010 23:19 |
Benfica fall again, while Braga slipAguias suffer second consecutive defeat Benfica are not doing a very good job of attempting to retain their title as the Lisbon side succumbed to another 2-1 defeat, this time to Nacional. Luis Alberto and Orlando Sa put the home side up before Carlos Martins notched a late consolation goal.Meanwhile, earlier in the evening Sporting Braga dropped two points at the Bonfim as the Arsenalistas played to a nil-nil draw against Vitoria de Setubal. Benfica are a far cry from the team that were an offensive force last season and had a stalwart of a defence. The Lisbon outfit have already suffered four goals in their two matches and didn't concede that amount until the 7th round last year. The reigning champions are creating enough chances, but are unable to finish them. That was never more true in the 12th minute when Gaitan missed a siter with no one marking him. Also, Cardozo, last year's top goalscorer, should have done much better in the 31st minute when the Paraguayan needed a deft touch, but instead sent the ball way over the net from close range. When Benfica did get the ball on target, as did Saviola in the 39th minute, Bracalli made a fine stop to deny the Argentine's header. But as is always the case, when a team does not take their chances, they are made to pay for them. In Benfica's case, the mistakes could be avoided as Nacional's first goal was an error by Cardozo. The Benfica striker completely left Luis Alberto alone to have a free header in the 49th minute and the Nacional midfielder was first to the near post to knock in the in-swinging free kick. Nacional doubled their lead nearly 20 minutes later, but again, lack of man-marking allowed Orlando Sa to head the ball unchallenged, after it took a fortunate bounce off the crossbar (perhaps Roberto should have done better to tip the ball over the net). After Felipe Lopes almost headed the ball into his own net in the 88th minute, Carlos Martins pulled one goal back in the 93rd minute with a low drive, but by then it was much too late and Benfica have not earned a single point in two matches, and only have themselves to blame. Wasted chancesIt was quite remarkable how the match between Vitoria de Setubal and Sporting Braga ended scoreless as the Arsenalistas clearly showed no signs of fatigue from their mid-week match against Seville in the Champions League, as they created the best opportunities of the contest.Mossoro had the first good look on goal in the 9th minute as the midfielder tried to re-direct a Matheus cross, but Diego was razor sharp to keep his focus and smother the ball. Lima had two opportunites, the first in the 22nd minute as the striker's low effort to the near post just missed. His second opportunity came just before half-time, but couldn't beat Diego at the short side. Sandwiched between those two looks on goal was Elton, as the Brazilian fired a shot from inside the box, but watched the ball just miss the top corner. It was much of the same in the second-half and Paulo Cesar wished he had done better with his header in the 50th minute, but the marksman sent his effort wide of the post. Matheus would also have liked to have had a second go at his effort in the 65th minute, but the forward was stymied by Diego at close range and saw his chance snuffed out. Poor finishing will always cost a team dearly and Domingos Paciencia only hopes that his side do not fritter away such opportunites when they travel to Spain for the second-leg of the Champions League tie with Sevilla. |
I use the nicknames because I know it bothers you and Torpuke-YUK, clearly it still works.
Will keep them coming so that you don't miss me ;-)
Like most of the others around here that are decent which is the vast majority we don't go into other peoples teams areas.. just to be douches.
We make constructive comments and debate teams and players.
Clearly you have a deep resentment towards Benfica fans because they probably beat your ass and took your lunch money on a regular basis.
I don't share your resentment of the other teams.. that aren't my first squads.. and support all Portuguese teams in Europe and the league.
My nicknames for my own squad is for my own amusement.. although I feel better now that I know it annoys you.
You are a tough Keyboard Warrior.. but we all know that SCP in your nick stands for Scared-Pussy-Cat but you are dyslexic so you got it all wrong.
Have a Nice Day.. S Pussy Cat
As for Roberto the game against Nacional seems to be the last time we will see him this season because Jesus looks ready to put another goalkeeper in net and Benfica are trying to loan him back out to Spain.
Can't imagine the league reaction, investigation or even some newspapers if it was a player from another of 15 teams of this league...
Kicking the dude who just lost a fight when he is down lacks class and balls.
Most of the comments are pointless and remind me of the school playground.
Truth is Rui Costa is proving he is hit and miss with his purchases, and believes in volume over quality. If they spent more money on less players they would have more success. Also this would leave room for youngsters to work through the system.
Look at the amount of players they have on the squad.. that are loans.. or busts.. they played very few games.
Also while everyone was praising Jorge of the Jews his player selection is somewhat retarded of talent.
Viera himself said the manager is the one that wanted Roberto... that says a lot considering Moreira is better than Cesar and the 8.5 mil bag of turd. It was funny to see Nacional's probably free transfer goalie make great saves and that Spanish twat look like a flying chicken.
JJ played so many different squads in preseason none of which were the ones he intended on playing.. he started the season play PeixeHo as DiMaria's replacement.. now I was never DiMaria's number one fan.. he was talented but very one dimensional but PeixeHo is not even a starter let alone your offensive driving force.. Jara for me has some pace and needs to get in there..
As many others have stated.. Aim-Retarded & Martins are unreliable.. Javi-Diarhhea is playing shit..
The defence that was exceptional last year looks 2nd Division.. although with Roberto in net who can blame them..
Amorim who looked amazing in the second half of last season when he got to play is looking useless at RB, and worse as a winger.. only in the middle has he looked useable.. don't know what is up with that.
What happened to the 19 year old phenom? Rodrigo.. does not get a game or minute.. good guys develop not playing.
Then you have Mak in reserves.. and Yebda.. who are both very serviceable.. of course this will drive up their price.
Overall like one astute poster suggested the team just doesn't have it mentally. They look tired, unmotivated,
uncaring, and pathetic.
Just like the National Team all this falls on the Manager.. now i don't suggest crucifying him.. like his namesake.. but backing the team bus over him might create a much needed opening.
How he can rate Roberto & Cesar over Quim & Morreira I will never know.. as well as letting Eduardo slip for 4 mil Euros less than Roberto is plain stupidity.. it does not take a rocket scientist to know that Roberto is completely useless at crosses.. probably the worst goalie I have ever seen.. ever.
In preseason I suggested to others Benfica would need 3 goals to win every game.. turns out I am right.. unfortunately they can't score now..lol
With the squad they have they should to go with 3 strikers up front.. as that is where their talent is.
Roberto seems to have been a mistake. He does a horrible job of judging the ball and player movement. He always seems to be positioned wrong.
If that wasn't bad enough, our defense has been lacking.
I still think that Aimar doesn't work well with both wide players pinching in. He needs room to operate in, but he's not getting it.
We also have to convert on the opportunities that are given. Last season we scored at will, but this season nothing is finding the back of the net.
Jesus really needs to get the players focus up. Something is definately lacking.
As for all the cheerful Porto fans, you have to be kidding. Unlike others, I may always want Benfica to win, but I also know when they are sucking wind. I respect Porto and the great job that they have done in finding talented players and winning.
The fans themselves, especially in this Forum are a bit hard to take. Porto has had a quality team, enjoy it.
It's also hard to imagine all these Tripeiros being from the North of Portugal, Meaning they are little kids that are front runners. If Benfica was winning whent they were being potty trained, they would all be Benfica fans,
I apologize to all the true Porto fans, that have been so through generations. I could respect you.
I too have family members from Porto that are and will always be Porto fans. We agree to disagree on certain things, but we also agree more often than not when our teams suck.
For some reason everyone forgets that the Big Three in Portugal always get preferential treatment. It's always been that way, and to be honest Porto didn't start getting it until they started winning. Benfica and Sporting have always enjoyed it.
If you want to feel sorry for someone getting screwed, feel sorry for Guimaraes fans.
On a bitter sweet note, I was happy to see Sa come through. Hopefully he's all healed and ready to make his mark.
Forca Madeira!
Sporting and Benfica both need to start performing. In the case of Sporting, their European ambitions are pretty much ruined already so they need to try to turn things around in the liga.
Someone already mentioned this, but I'm really excited about Braga and hope that they stick it to Sevilla this week.
In the meantime we should all go shopping the "socio kits" to console ourselves and buy more Roberto's.
Judging by the table it looks like Portimonense, Benfica, Sporting and Rio Ave could all be battling to stay in the top flight this season.
The way things are going I think Rio Ave & Portimonense might just do enough to stay up!
I dont know who scouted him but he is no better than Moreira.
Its 8.5 mill they wont ever get back im afraid.
Moreira should start next.
Its just their attitude and their frame of mind, it needs to improve drastically. I dont like Roberto but the defense is shocking to its not just his fault.
A: Not the same consistent squad from last season
B: Errors from goalkeeper
and C: No faith in the players.
drop the bull players- JARA, GAITAN, AIMAR [yes Aimar] and bring in some QUALITY PLAYERS WHO CAN PERFORM
But not all young prospects turn out successful which is why Benfica has a huge problem in the midfield. You cant rely on these guys to mimic Ramires or Di Maria. Aimar and Martins are unreliable. Roberto was a waste of money. Mistakes are made. I dont have time to get in depth but this team obviously took a huge hit and the way it looks.. you can just forget about the CL which you Porto fans etc. shouldnt be laughing about because it brings down Portugal as a whole.
Anyway, hoping Braga can make a run. Sevilla must be tired after the 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona.
They also need help defensively though. I don't know what they're going to do, but they better do something fast. 2 games now and still no points.
On the bright side, I'm happy that Orlando Sa scored and it looks like this will be a highly entertaining season in the Liga Sagres.
Ramires? Nah... not an important player
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Where are the Champions League contenders?