“We’ve improved game to game”
Benfica have continued with their pre-season having games on back to back days. The first starting with the opening of the Guimaraes tournament against FC Groningen. The game got off to a shaky start with a Groningen goal in the 4th minute. Alan Kardec however managed to level it in the 6th minute, scoring another very great goal and showing superb talent. Benfica had many opportunities and chances in the first half, one of them coming from a freekick from Franco Jara and it just missed, grazing off of the crossbar. Carlos Martins also had several chances, most of them just going wide but still being enough to be half chances. In the 43rd there was a shout for a penalty in favor of Benfica, Jara being brought down inside the box and the ball then being played on and the shot going off the keeper. Nothing came off it, the corner then being shut out.
The second half saw most of the team being changed up, fresh legs and a chance for players to get a chance to show what they are made of. In the 58th minute Martins got his goal, making the scoreline 2-1 and the team seemed to really step it up. In the 60th minute Pablo Aimar and Javier Saviola came on for Franco Jara and Carlos Martins. Groningen would tie up the game in the 75th, making it level again but not for long. In the 76th Nuno Gomes came on, scoring just a minute later from a free header making the scoreline 3-2 and it was seeming like Benfica might get away with the win. However a late goal from Groningen would make the scoreline 3-3. It has to be brought into question the defense and Roberto Jimenez. I don’t doubt the quality of the goalkeeper, not for one second, however it is a concern for him and for the team. Whether it is him and his own mentality, the language barrier aka if he can’t quite communicate with his defenders, or something else.
Anyway, Benfica were now onto penalties the first one being taken by Felipe Menezes (who had scored a few days earlier from a penalty) and that was saved. Groningen made theirs and David Luiz was up next and he missed, and with Groningen making theirs it was not looking good. Benfica got a break, Pablo Aimar converting his and Groningen missing theirs. Even though Javier Saviola and Nuno Gomes would both make theirs, so would Groningen and that was the final, Groningen winning on penalties. I questioned the choice of who went first, I would have sent my strikers to start it off but obviously Jorge had either already had his choices made or he knew something the fans don’t, that David and Felipe are far better at taking penalties then I know. Either way it was a bit of a disappointing loss having done so well during the game and to lose was not something the team wanted.
The press were very harsh on Roberto, claiming he once again had a terrible game but I don’t think that is entirely fair or justified. Sure he definitely made mistakes but goalies are humans, mistakes happen. Plus I think the defensive let him down a couple of times, you have to rely on your defense to help stop things too. In the Guimaraes game, which I’ll get to, one of the goals was not his fault as the scorer had a completely free header, no one marking him, and the other coming after Roberto had already been knocked to the ground. So of course his game has not been 100% and I’m hoping a few days off will allow him to train and work on the faults he does have, I also do not want him out. He has talent that is for sure and he can be our number 1 if time allows and if he can really work. If Jorge has faith in him then I have faith in him.
The second game of the small tournament was against Guimaraes, a side that showed they have talent, definitely. They gave Benfica a run for their money and as Jorge said, “Guimaraes forced Benfica to be better,” allowing them to challenge Benfica and Benfica to meet the challenge. This time, it was only Benfica doing the early scoring, with a 4th minute goal by Alan Kardec and a 6th minute goal from Javier Saviola. There wasn’t much after that, mostly Benfica attacking though by no means was it a one sided game, not even throughout the rest of the game. Guimaraes would score in the 33rd minute, the goal coming from Valdormiro. Pablo Aimar got injured not long after that, being replaced by Luis Filipe. Alan would again score in the 48th minute, an absolute gorgeous goal that was probably 25m out. Franco Jara would also get another goal, this one also a long rang shot that was stunning, even Franco himself would call it the best goal of his career. So now Benfica would be up by 3 in the 54th minute.
Carlos would get his second goal in 2 days, scoring in the 69th minute. If you have been watching, you’ll notice his goal celebration which is apparenlty for “Waka Waka”. If only the rest of the team would start doing it! Anyway, Groningen would score two, One in the 61st and another in the 91st but it would not be enough. Valdormiro scored the last one, having completed a brace and he was one of the best Guimaraes players. The whole team was very good, they have talent without a doubt. Bruno Pereirinha also shined when he came on, attacking as well as defending and it will be interesting to see him on loan there.
So on the injury front Benfica will most likely be without Fabio Faria for up to 3 weeks with a tear in his left thigh muscle Pablo Aimar might not be that bad and could be back on Saturday for the game against Moncao. The rest of the WC squad will be back for the presentation that day, no word on if they will actually play or not. Most likely it would seem that they will be there for the presentation and then sit in the stands, joining in on the training after that. In other news, Benfica will be getting Rodrigo from Real Madrid later this month once the u-19 world cup ends, ironically Portugal’s very own (and Benfica’s) Nelson Oliveira is playing there and scored for the team yesterday. Congrats Nelson and good luck!
The team will not have another game till Saturday, in which I hope to see at win since it will be at home and for the presentation. Good luck and until then, I’ll see you.
