Benfica 3-0 AVS
SL Benfica returned to the Estádio da Luz to take on AVS this weekend with the opportunity to make up ground on rivals Sporting CP and FC Porto. These two clubs found themselves on opposite ends of the table going into Saturday’s clash. Benfica, currently third in the league, have not lost a match in the Primeira Liga this season and have won five of their last six in the competition. Meanwhile, the Vila das Aves club sat at the bottom of the table with just eight points from 22 matches. No team has conceded more goals than AVS, with João Henriques’ side allowing 54 goals already in the league.
Despite AVS's 3-0 victory last weekend over Estoril Praia, this was a match that the Eagles were expected to command, and José Mourinho’s side did just that. It became clear early on that AVS were outmatched in this tie, with Benfica dominating the possession and chances from the opening minute onwards. Goals from Alexander Bah, Enzo Barrenechea and Rafa Silva gave the Lisbon side a comfortable lead going into the half. The second half was more of the same, and while AVS showed some steel, there was little chance of a comeback after a one-sided first half.
The win sees Benfica move to 55 points on the season, three points behind Sporting and four points behind Porto (although the Dragons do have a game in hand).
First half blitz gives Benfica commanding lead
It didn’t take long for Benfica to get going. Some cohesive build up work down the left side between Schjelderup and Pavlidis saw the ball eventually drop to the latter in the box and the striker lashed a low shot. AVS keeper Adriel did well to get down and save the attempt, but Bah was on hand to collect the rebound and thrash home his first goal of the campaign.
In the 15th minute, it was Schjelderup and Pavildis once again tormenting the AVS defenders. Some slick passing inside the box ended with a close-range shot for the Greek striker. His attempt, though, drifted just wide of the post.
The home side continued to control the possession, and in the 26th minute, that nearly led to a second. This time, it was Enzo Barrenechea blazing his shot over the goal.
Barrenechea, not known for his goalscoring ability, was undeterred, and just three minutes later, he was able to take advantage of some poor defending from a corner, unleashing a powerful left-footed shot that left Adriel with little chance. A delightful strike from the Argentine central midfielder to record his second of the campaign.
Pavlidis continues to show his quality as the game progressed. A phenomenal run from the centre circle, combined with some smart passing, saw the forward connect with a perfectly timed through ball from Schedlerup. His right-footed toe poke,though, was aimed directly at Adriel.
Rafa’s wondergoal puts Benfica three up
In the 43rd minute, a moment of magic from Rafa Silva. Regarded as a fan favourite at the club, the player, who recently returned after a stint in Turkey with Beşiktaş, pulled off a stunning goal just before the half. A low cross from Sidney Cabral found the 32-year-old just outside the six-yard box. Rafa’s first touch may not have been perfect, leaving the ball rolling around under his legs. He made up for his first touch with a brilliant improvised rabona, wrapping his right foot around to clip the ball past a crowded box and into the net. A special goal from a player who made his Benfica debut nearly a decade ago.
The visitors were completely outplayed in the opening 45 minutes. There were few positives to take from their first half performance. Babatunde Akinsola did his best to try and penetrate down the right wing, but aside from a few dangerous runs from the Nigerian, AVS hardly troubled Benfica’s back four.
Benfica continue to pepper AVS goal in second half
AVS, shell-shocked in the opening half, came out with a more positive approach in the second. Henriques started to push bodies forward and even brought on Óscar Perea and Tiago Galletto as he looked to inject some energy into his team.
Benfica still maintained the majority of the possession and were quick to fill any gaps on the pitch. Barrenechea and Ríos controlled the midfield while the constant threat of Schjelderup and Cabral down the wings ensured AVS’ defenders could not step too far out of line.
In the 63rd minute, a perfectly weighted cross nearly found Ríos for Benfica’s fourth. In the 67th minute, it was Cabral with the near miss when his shot bounced off the post. Pavlidis was inches away from his first of the match in the 70th after collecting the ball, turning, and striking a low shot that was deflected just wide. In the 77th minute, a rocket from Antonio Silva sailed just over the bar.
Mourinho’s starting 11
Despite taking on one of the league’s struggling sides, Mourinho took no chances, putting out a strong side knowing that anything short of three points would be a catastrophe. Bah, who had not featured in the lineup for over a year due to injury, was handed his first start. José Neto was given the opportunity to show what he could do down the left side. Aside from that, this was very strong lineup consisting of a group of regulars.
With one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League second leg in Madrid, Mourinho turned to his bench early on. He chose to remove Otamendi at the half after taking a three-goal lead. In the 71st minute, the manager brought on Franjo Ivanovic and Dodi Lukebakio, and Pavlidis was taken off 10 minutes later.
Reliance on Pavlidis
From an attacking standpoint, Benfica were outstanding. Schjelderup was exceptional on the night, connecting beautifully with Pavlidis. Rafa showed us once again why he is such a vital piece in Mourinho’s system, causing havoc in the No. 10 role just behind the striker. Cabral has made an immediate impact since making the short move from the Lisbon suburb of Amadora in January. Full-backs Bah and Neto were also effective down the wings, with the former being rewarded for his hard work with a goal. Barrenechea recorded his second goal of the season, and Ríos was inches from getting a goal of his own.
It is no secret that Benfica have been heavily reliant on striker Pavlidis for goals this season. Going into the match, the talented forward had already recorded 28 goals in all competitions. Next on the list are Schjelderup and Ivanovic, who each have five, followed by Aursnes and Sudakov with four apiece. And while Pavlidis remained the focal point of the attack, the players around him looked threatening as well tonight. If Benfica hope to compete in multiple competitions, Mourinho knows he will have to bring the best out of his supporting cast. Pavlidis was effective, but Benfica supporters would've been thrilled to see some of their other stars contribute with key goals today.
Benfica 3-0 AVS highlights
Lineups:
Benfica: Anatoliy Trubin, Alexander Bah (Dodi Lukebakio, 71’), Nicolás Otamendi (Tomás Araújo, 46’), António Silva, José Neto, Enzo Barrenechea, Richard Ríos, Andreas Schjelderup (Franjo Ivanovic, 71’), Sidney Cabral, Rafa Silva (Diogo Prioste, 86’), Vangelis Pavlidis (Anísio Cabral, 81’)
AVS: Adriel, Mateus Pivô (Guillem Molina, 46’), Cristian Devenish (Aderllan Santos, 46’), Paulo Vitor, Leonardo Rivas (Kiki Afonso, 81’), Gustavo Mendonça (Tiago Galletto, 54’), Roni, Ángel Algobia, Babatunde Akinsola (Óscar Perea, 54’), Tomané, Diego Duarte
Goals:
[1-0] Alexander Bah, 11’
[2-0] Enzo Barrenechea, 30’
[3-0] Rafa Silva, 43’
