The 2015-16 season has brought many changes to Benfica. Beginning with a new manager and several new players, there have been both good and bad moments along the way. The lows are definitely the losses the team has encountered, including the three against Sporting and the one to Porto. The team has also seen a number of injuries especially those to Luisao, Nelson Semedo, and the long term absence of Salvio. Gaitan has also suffered a few injuries in the past few weeks which has lead to several games having a very uncreative touch to the team. Yet despite all of the hardships, including the doubt of many (myself included) of Rui Vitoria, the team currently stands in second place on 37 points, just 4 behind Sporting. Which, a few months ago, seems like an unlikely place to be.
Signing Bryan Cristante was exciting for many fans. Although quite a few of us had no idea who this young was, the reactions from those who were fans of AC Milan made it seem as if we had gotten a deal of a lifetime. AC Milan fans were quite upset that a bright prospect had chose to leave, in hopes of being able to play far more often then Milan were able to give him at the time.
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. As pre-season winds down for Benfica and the new season approaches, it is time to take a look back at what Rui Vitoria has done in his first month in charge of Benfica, especially with the International Champions Cup. Overall, it has been a positive experience, in my own opinion. We do not know when exactly he was officially contacted by Benfica, but chances are he probably did not expect to spend his summer in America with Benfica, so some of the bad can still be ironed out before the season begins. Yes, Benfica did lose three games and won only one, on penalties, but the overall performances by Benfica were not bad and showed us fans what can be possible with the right starting eleven.
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Megan RobertsonAn American living in Los Angeles, focused mainly on Sport Lisboa e Benfica as well as Portuguese players abroad. Documenting opinions and news about Benfica. Archives
February 2016
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