Benfica leader suffers and takes another step towards title

Benfica struggled to leave Vila do Conde with three points and, above all, to keep a punctual margin for second place in the title challenge. The leader beat Rio Ave and will face the classic next Friday against FC Porto with confidence and calmness.

Without Florentino Luis in the starting line-up, Benfica had a dominant but less productive first half than usual in recent games, and it wasn’t even due to a lack of scoring opportunities.

Rio Ave didn’t do much offensively, but they defended well even when they conceded the ball from their zone. Neres, Gonzalo Ramos and Rafa Silva had opportunities to shoot at Jonathan’s goal, but they always showed a strong lack of purpose. Benfica’s best move came in the 22nd minute in a great enveloping game that went through Grimaldo and Neres. The Brazilian shot to the second post, where the lateral Bach appeared, shooting towards Fabio Ronaldo, who actually played the role of goalkeeper.

Benfica often seemed out of fire, but above all, out of ideas to try and break the web created by Luis Freire, who here and there predicted quick exits that could breach the Reds’ defence.

At the beginning of the second half, efficiency was shown, which was lacking in the first half. Goncalo Ramos was in the right place and after a great move Joao Mario scored the only goal of the match.

After that, Rio Ave changed and became much more dangerous by the middle of the second half. Boateng equalized with a header and towards the end a good shot by Ernani made Odysseas shine.

Eight days before the end of the championship, Benfica continues without giving a chance, with or without difficulty, and now breaking the malapata of negative results after the stoppages in the selections.

POSITIVELY
Decisive magic tunnel
João Mario, along with Gonzalo Ramos, is the top scorer in the League, but this Sunday he was the author of the magic move that allowed Ramos to make the score 1-0. Tunnel to William, which proved to be decisive.

NEGATIVE
The eagle sleeps after the goal
Benfica’s drop in performance after Ramos’ goal was not understood. Rafa Silva and David Neres left the game early, and the team allowed Rio Ave to grow up in the match.

ARBITRATION
penalties to be imposed
Well, not including Andre Pereira’s offside goal. Bach knocks down Fabio Ronaldo in the area. Alarm ticket. In the 2nd half, Pantalon elbowed Ramos in the Rio Avenue area. The referee ordered to follow.

“Win a title? It’s one game closer.”
Win a title? It’s a closer game,” Schmidt said. The coach admitted that the team was not the same as usual: “Not all the players were on top, but we were also waiting.” Schmidt responded to recent praise from Conceição, the Porto manager. Thank you. They also did well in the Champions League,” he said, admitting he had put Florentino out of the derby.

“Good Moment”
“This is a good moment not only for me, but also for the team. The most important thing is always the team: it’s good with the team, the individuality will stand out, ”Ciquinho said at the end of the meeting. The midfielder considers three more points important: “This is another victory. Let’s think from game to game to win our goals.”

“We showed quality”
“We have shown quality, we have achieved Benfica’s goal many times. We made Benfica waste time,” said Rio Ave manager Luis Freire.

great support
Rui Coste, president of Benfica, was applauded by hundreds of red fans who were in Vila do Conde. Before the kick-off whistle, the red leader, accompanied by several vice-presidents of his board, also had a short conversation with the reds’ sporting director, Rui Pedro Braz.