First Champions’ League group stage game at Celtic Park in four years. It’s a good feeling. I know we are all emotionally drained from last night’s riveting Ramsden Cup game, but now it is time to turn our focus to Benfica.
SL Benfica are another huge club with a fantastic history having appeared in eight major European finals the last of which was 1990. Over the last three years they have been very close to adding to that number reaching the QF in the Europa League in 09-10, then the Semi Finals of the Europa League in 10-11 and last season made it all the way the QF of the Champions League. This is another quality side and you can see why they were in pot 2.
Benfica are no strangers to Celtic Park, this will be their third visit in 7 years. Currently they are managed by Jorge Jesus who has created a name for himself in Portugal. He managed a few smaller clubs before leading little known Belenenses to a Portuguese Cup final and finishing fifth in the league, qualifying them for Europe for the first time in 20+ years. He spent one season at SC Braga, again qualifying for Europe before he became manager for SL Benfica in the 2009-10 season.
That season he captured the Portuguese title ahead of his old club Braga and has led them to two second place finishes since then as well as the aforementioned European runs and also 3 successive Portuguese League Cups. He orchestrated a 16 game winning streak in the 09-10 season which is now an all time record for Benfica. Now this is an impressive by itself, but consider the talent that he has had to replace since he took over.
Ramires – Chelsea
Angel Di Maria – Real Madrid
David Luiz – Chelsea
Fabio Coentrao – Real Madrid
And now
Javi Garcia – Man City
Axel Witshel – Zenit
Javier Saviola – Malaga
It seems to be a recurring theme for Benfica that their best players get sold on but Jorge has been very successful at finding suitable replacements.
I have read reports that some Portuguese journalists are stating that Benfica are struggling this year. They have only played 3 games this, scoring 10 goals, conceding 2 and only dropping points to Braga who are now firmly established as one of the top sides in Portugal. Having watched footage of them I can’t say I agree. If this is them struggling, I don’t want to meet them on form.
Star man for me is Oscar Cardozo. We have played against him before, he has scored against us before and now he is in his prime and a much better player. At 6ft 4 he is exactly the target man we have been dreaming off since Hartson, only faster. Good in the air, strong and deadly from free kicks. This lad tore Man United defence to pieces last year and has started this season where he left of last season, already scoring three goals.
There is an opportunity for us though. I don’t know what their team lineup will be tonight. They have just sold two of their best players and did not sign anyone. They are missing centre back Luisao for tonights game which is good for us because their backups are all young and inexperienced.
They also have a young left back who will only be playing his fourth game of football in Europe as well. Another blow for them is that their right back Maxi Pereira is also suspended which means another young player could possibly be stepping in. Potentially their whole defence might only have a total of 30 appearances for Benfica between them all. Put pressure on them in front of 60000 fans at Celtic Park and one of them will crack. They also have not played a competitive game in 17 days.
You cannot sell players like Garcia and Witschel and expect things to run smoothly right away. No team can replace that caliber of player quickly but to not even sign another midfielder is shocking. They qualified for the Quarterfinals of the Champions League last season but the team we play tonight will not be that team. Here is the lineup for the home game against Chelsea last year.
Artur (GK) – Still Playing
Emerson – Trabzonspor
Luisão (C) – Suspended
Javi García – Man City
Óscar Cardozo – Still Playing
Bruno César – 1 Start
Pablo Aimar – 3 sub appearances
Maxi Pereira – Suspended
Nicolás Gaitán – Has not featured yet
Axel Witsel – Zenit
Jardel – Has not featured yet
As you can see we will play is not the team that did so well for them last year. I think SL Benfica will eventually do very well again this year, but we got them at the right time, at home while they are in transition and also have to deal with a couple of important suspensions.
This is a must win for us if we have any aspirations of playing football in Europe after Christmas. They are still an excellent team with an excellent manager, but this is definitely the time to play them. We need to create an amazing atmosphere and get behind the team because I think we could be in for another fantastic night.
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We have a few problems ourselves to contend with while they have guys lke Aimar who is vastly experienced & highly talented. We certainly have to up the tempo from the start and try to put them under pressure. 3 Points from our opening home game is a must if we are to have any hopes of qualifying – I hope the lads will rise to the occasion and make it another great European night to remember.
Had a wee chuckle at your comment on Cardozo being like Hartson only faster….one thing BBJ didn’t have was any kind of pace so few would be slower (I’m sure I could still give him 5 yards over 25 and win). Cardozo is a handful so it’s vital we control the midfield and restrict the supply to him.
Sevco are not worth bothering about, they are heading one way only…Administration and liquidation.
Wullie administration and liquidation was so last year lol after last night rangers will be spinning in its grave hail hail