Porto give Benfica plenty to ponder

Features
By published

Perhaps for the first time in recent years, Porto went to a match against Benfica as clear underdogs, as the two sides did battle for the Supercup on Saturday evening.

Having finished in third place and not impressed during pre-season, there was the feeling that the Dragons had to prove themselves and naysayers they could still do it against the reigning champions.

There were two major surprises in both teamsâ starting lineup - despite his encouraging performances in pre-season, Benfica new boy Franco Jara was surprisingly dropped for Cesar Peixoto; such move saw Coentrao play as a winger as Peixoto slotted in the left back role.

For Porto, it was Jorge Fucile â who may still leave the club â who didnâÂÂt start with manager Villas-Boas opting to give the nod to Cristian Sapunaru.

The midfield trio of Airton, Aimar and Carlos Martins were anonymous due to effective marking from Fernando and Moutinho and with no room to explore, Benfica couldnâÂÂt create a single clear-cut opportunity.

The final whistle couldnâÂÂt come any sooner for an outclassed Benfica side that had no answer for a much superior opponent.

The 25-year old winger - who had broken his fibula at the end of last season â was simply unplayable and was without a doubt the man of the match.

If Hulk â who was somehow shut out by Peixoto - had one of his inspired nights Benfica could have left with more goals in the bag.

Roberto mistimed almost every cross thrown into the area, he looked nervous with the feet and could have done better in the first goal. Not only he looks far from justifying the â¬8.5 million invested in him, but he looks a genuine liability.

Supporters may have thought about Reina and Casillas when the club signed him, but theyâÂÂre now thinking about Moretto...while shaking their heads in disbelief.
Coentrao was also not as effective as he would probably have been had he played at left back.

HeâÂÂs fast and can dribble, but heâÂÂs so much better when attacking from deep, which is why the decision to play him on the wing backfired. He looked uncomfortable in that area and subsequently Benfica suffered.

Benfica are now forced to go back to June and rethink their strategy because their transfer policy this summer has been pretty mediocre.
Gaitan? Not the player to replace Di Maria, and itâÂÂs not clear how heâÂÂll fit in the current formation. Roberto? Not a goalkeeper who can win you matches. Rodrigo? A â¬6 million player from Real Madrid who may yet be loaned out to Guimaraes. Jara? The only good signing so far and in a position where Benfica already possesses quite a few options.

If theyâÂÂre serious about using the 4-3-3 formation, theyâÂÂll need to buy a Ramires type of player that can complement Airton/Garcia and Aimar/Martins and fast.
Running against the transfer deadline may be dangerous, but hey, after wasting buckets of money in random players, why would they stop now, right?

One last note: congratulations to young André Villas-Boas who despite all the razzmatazz surrounding his ability to lead the Dragons already claimed one title, PortoâÂÂs 17th Supercup.

Portugal: News * Stats * The Portugeezer
FFT.com: Blogs * News * Interviews * Forums * Home
Follow us: Twitter * Facebook