The first thought many of us had when Jorge Jesus joined Sporting was, "the first official game between the two will be the Supertaça" and we all began to lick our lips in anticipation. Leading up to the game, much being said on the side of our rivals, with various comments clearly meant to play mind games as well as to antagonize Benfica. Benfica, for the most part, avoided responding and focused on the game at hand which is a breath of fresh air to have a coach who chooses not to respond to said idiocy.
Going into the game, the lineup was a bit of a surprise. No Luisao meant that Lisandro Lopez would get the start, as well as several surprising inclusions. Julio Cesar started in goal, with Nelson Semedo, Jardel, Lisandro Lopez, and Silvio were across the back. Fejsa and Samaris occupied the defensive midfield role with Talisca, Gaitan, and Ola John playing the wingers and forward and Jonas was alone as the sole striker. On the bench would see Ederson, Andrea Almeida, Eliseu, Gonçalo Guedes, Pizzi, Jonathan Rodriguez, and new boy Mitroglou.
Going into the game, the lineup was a bit of a surprise. No Luisao meant that Lisandro Lopez would get the start, as well as several surprising inclusions. Julio Cesar started in goal, with Nelson Semedo, Jardel, Lisandro Lopez, and Silvio were across the back. Fejsa and Samaris occupied the defensive midfield role with Talisca, Gaitan, and Ola John playing the wingers and forward and Jonas was alone as the sole striker. On the bench would see Ederson, Andrea Almeida, Eliseu, Gonçalo Guedes, Pizzi, Jonathan Rodriguez, and new boy Mitroglou.
The game started out lively, mostly with Sporting creating attacking chances but Benfica saw a couple of near hits from Jonas who narrowly avoided getting a goal. Ola John had a good first half, with his pace beating Sporting's defenders and creating chances with his crosses. The glimpses of good give myself hope but I, like many others, know he will not always play like that which is unfortunate. Talisca had an extremely quiet first half, almost invisible for most of it and it leaves more question marks than anything else as to what is going to happen. Either he is to be benched, loaned, or sold to make way for another player who can take on the role or he will improve and adapt to Rui Vitoria's ideas. The first half would also see Jardel and Licha Lopez make crucial saves, the most important coming from Jardel who managed to poke out a toe and drive away what would have been a certain goal.
For the midfield, Nico was as brilliant as always but often lacking in the distribution which came from the disorganization of Samaris and Fejsa who seemed to be running more into each other than anything else. It is clear that they are waiting to play the same role and not having one push forward to provide the necessary balls forward to Jonas. It then leaves Jonas alone and without someone else with him, he looks lost. Pizzi coming on in the second half would have that player who could push forward, and although he is not the best player for the role, he was providing a bit more spark in creativity.
No goals were scored in the second half except for an offside goal for Sporting and so the second half would start on level terms. The second half was a bit more brutal for Benfica. Sporting continued with their all out attack and the defense started to shamble a bit, often times being left exposed and with the midfielders not covering them, a goal was certain to come. Sporting would score in the 53rd minute, after having just seen a fantastic save from Julio Cesar, it was a soft and unpretty goal that would be Benfica's undoing. There would be a clear penalty on Nico that was denied, although we shouldn't dwell too much on that. Nelson Semedo would be the brightest star in the whole show, with his pace and his crosses as well as his defensive abilities. If he is not our starting right back, I'm going to be incredibly shocked and saddened. I also believe that Silvio will not be starting left back as Eliseu is a better defender and was solid last season. Another bright spot was Gonçalo Guedes who looked lively as he came on for Ola John. He isn't a starter, but possibly giving him minutes every game is not only a boost of confidence but can only improve his game. A player cannot get better if he is not playing enough, much like many youths under our previous coach. He deserves as much as a chance as others if he is working hard and proving himself.
Benfica lost this game but we should not be too critical. Yes I believe that mind games did play a role. I think Rui Vitoria chose to move around the team to not be just like Jorge Jesus, but if he had chose to play a 4-4-2 and had the almost same team as last season, I think perhaps the outcome could have been different. However I don't think it was all negative either. We saw that Nelson Semedo was amazing and both Jardel and Licha Lopez were overall solid. The midfield is going to need some work and I believe that Mitroglou or Jonathan always need to start with Jonas but that is going to be figured out with the Estoril game this upcoming weekend.
I've seen people already commenting on how this team is trash and how Rui Vitoria should be sacked and to be honest, I don't want to give too much thought to those "fans" but it should be remembered that this team is in transition. It's a new coach who is putting in new ideas that will take time to learn and time to adjust to. I don't expect that all the players are going to adapt immediately and that it has been only over a month since they've been working together. The Estoril game will provide another chance to analyze the game and there is still over two weeks left behind the window closes so I do expect that Benfica will buy more players and thus improve the squad.
This is a long season ahead and there is time to iron out all the little mistakes. Just because Sporting beat Benfica in this one game doesn't mean that they will again and it could mean that Benfica will improve and be the best team in the league. We don't know what will happen and I do believe that if the team and fans stand behind Rui Vitoria, we will be successful. We have to remember that he has never been in charge of a team like Benfica and while he may not show it, I'm sure there are nerves involved for him as well to be as successful as previous managers. It's a big stage and he has to prepare himself for being under the spotlight at all time as well as being criticized by many for every little thing he does wrong.
Overall, this team has potential. I know that may not be what everyone wants to hear, that we should be better than having more potential, but it really is the beginning of the season. I don't expect that we are going to be at the very top of our game. We lost nearly every season opener save for last year. We had stumbling blocks in seasons even when we won the league. We've also lost plenty under Jorge Jesus. I'm not saying we should be okay with losing, but I think we as fans should be okay with understanding that we may not be at our peak yet. It is far too early to tell what is going to happen with this season and only with time will we be able to determine what the best course of action should be. After all, it's the Supertaça and not the league. In May, only then will it matter who lifts the trophy.
For the midfield, Nico was as brilliant as always but often lacking in the distribution which came from the disorganization of Samaris and Fejsa who seemed to be running more into each other than anything else. It is clear that they are waiting to play the same role and not having one push forward to provide the necessary balls forward to Jonas. It then leaves Jonas alone and without someone else with him, he looks lost. Pizzi coming on in the second half would have that player who could push forward, and although he is not the best player for the role, he was providing a bit more spark in creativity.
No goals were scored in the second half except for an offside goal for Sporting and so the second half would start on level terms. The second half was a bit more brutal for Benfica. Sporting continued with their all out attack and the defense started to shamble a bit, often times being left exposed and with the midfielders not covering them, a goal was certain to come. Sporting would score in the 53rd minute, after having just seen a fantastic save from Julio Cesar, it was a soft and unpretty goal that would be Benfica's undoing. There would be a clear penalty on Nico that was denied, although we shouldn't dwell too much on that. Nelson Semedo would be the brightest star in the whole show, with his pace and his crosses as well as his defensive abilities. If he is not our starting right back, I'm going to be incredibly shocked and saddened. I also believe that Silvio will not be starting left back as Eliseu is a better defender and was solid last season. Another bright spot was Gonçalo Guedes who looked lively as he came on for Ola John. He isn't a starter, but possibly giving him minutes every game is not only a boost of confidence but can only improve his game. A player cannot get better if he is not playing enough, much like many youths under our previous coach. He deserves as much as a chance as others if he is working hard and proving himself.
Benfica lost this game but we should not be too critical. Yes I believe that mind games did play a role. I think Rui Vitoria chose to move around the team to not be just like Jorge Jesus, but if he had chose to play a 4-4-2 and had the almost same team as last season, I think perhaps the outcome could have been different. However I don't think it was all negative either. We saw that Nelson Semedo was amazing and both Jardel and Licha Lopez were overall solid. The midfield is going to need some work and I believe that Mitroglou or Jonathan always need to start with Jonas but that is going to be figured out with the Estoril game this upcoming weekend.
I've seen people already commenting on how this team is trash and how Rui Vitoria should be sacked and to be honest, I don't want to give too much thought to those "fans" but it should be remembered that this team is in transition. It's a new coach who is putting in new ideas that will take time to learn and time to adjust to. I don't expect that all the players are going to adapt immediately and that it has been only over a month since they've been working together. The Estoril game will provide another chance to analyze the game and there is still over two weeks left behind the window closes so I do expect that Benfica will buy more players and thus improve the squad.
This is a long season ahead and there is time to iron out all the little mistakes. Just because Sporting beat Benfica in this one game doesn't mean that they will again and it could mean that Benfica will improve and be the best team in the league. We don't know what will happen and I do believe that if the team and fans stand behind Rui Vitoria, we will be successful. We have to remember that he has never been in charge of a team like Benfica and while he may not show it, I'm sure there are nerves involved for him as well to be as successful as previous managers. It's a big stage and he has to prepare himself for being under the spotlight at all time as well as being criticized by many for every little thing he does wrong.
Overall, this team has potential. I know that may not be what everyone wants to hear, that we should be better than having more potential, but it really is the beginning of the season. I don't expect that we are going to be at the very top of our game. We lost nearly every season opener save for last year. We had stumbling blocks in seasons even when we won the league. We've also lost plenty under Jorge Jesus. I'm not saying we should be okay with losing, but I think we as fans should be okay with understanding that we may not be at our peak yet. It is far too early to tell what is going to happen with this season and only with time will we be able to determine what the best course of action should be. After all, it's the Supertaça and not the league. In May, only then will it matter who lifts the trophy.