A bet on mobility was worth a poker for Benfica

Roger Schmidt is back in this game, starting with the formula that has already made his ears burn this season. He relied on the mobility of the trident formed by Neres, Rafa and Di Maria, and saved 38 million euros on zonal strikers (in other words, Arthur Cabral and Marcos Leonardo). It was good. But we had to wait 55 minutes. Up to this point, the team had the ball, dominated and created. All that remained was to score. Kokcu felt the desire to play in a more advanced position (supporting those in front), Joao Neves showed his usual dynamics, everything was fine until the last third of the field. But in truth, Benfica hit a wall for the first 45 minutes. And when it was not up to the wall, Nakamura, the Portimonense goalkeeper, shone in two or three moments with valuable interventions.

Benfica came into the second half the same way they did in the locker room. The same dynamics, the same eleven, the same desire. But you had to wait until the 55th minute to see Roger Schmidt’s chips reach the required numbers. First Rafa, then Neres, then Di Maria, re-editing in Luz an old maxim that occurred to the club: when not yet 15, four minutes was enough for Benfica this Sunday. The issue was resolved and the bet was won by the German coach. Next, Rafa will still have to score a personal encore and that very “poker” on the scoreboard. No discussion.

“The players performed very well”
“We needed to be a little patient and control Portimonense’s counter-attacks. Then we managed to score three fantastic goals in five minutes. We were focused until the end of the match. I really enjoyed our game,” said Roger Schmidt, who was unfazed by the busy schedule. “We are already used to playing every three days. The players are feeling very good, recovering and working, and every game is a challenge for us to show our work and win matches,” the German coach emphasized, praising the moment of “team form.”

Heartbreaking tributes
The 57 thousand spectators who came to the Estádio da Luz stadium this Sunday paid tribute to Antonio Silva and Joao Neves, who are going through difficult times due to the death of members of their families. At the 4th and 87th minutes, the numbers on the players’ T-shirts and applause were heard. And there were tears.

BAD RESPONSE TO TARGET
Portimonense’s terrible reaction after Benfica’s first goal. The team of Paulo Sergio, who would be accused in the registry office, did not know how to endure. She tried to react immediately and was very exposed, leaving space behind the defensive line that Benfica was always looking for.

LACK OF CONFIDENCE
In a game that was easy to control, referee Miguel Nogueira did not invent anything. However, the chapter on self-confidence could and should have done better. It is not clear why the decision took so long in some cases. And in some of them it was better to let the game go altogether.