CL Quarterfinals::SL Benfica v. FC Barcelona::First leg, 28 March 06 {R}

Discussion in 'SL Benfica' started by um_chili, Mar 10, 2006.

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  1. um_chili

    um_chili Member+

    Jun 3, 2002
    Losanjealous
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I know it's early but I thought it was time to shift the discussion from "who do we want to play" to "we're going to play Barca." My first thought is that it's a damned hard draw. The hardest, I'd say, of the various teams available, both because Barca is in my opinion objectively the best team in the last eight and because we match up with them poorly (as opposed to English teams, who we seem to have a knack against).

    The first leg is at Luz, which will be key. A good performance--clean sheet being the most important--keeps us in it, while a bad one (which would include even a high-scoring draw) renders the second leg a mere formality.

    FWIW, Barca hasn't lost at home in Europe to a Portuguese side since a 2-0 loss to Porto in the very early 70s. By contrast, SLB had an unbeaten record against Spanish opposition until the loss to Villarreal in the group stages.

    Anyway, discuss.
     
  2. um_chili

    um_chili Member+

    Jun 3, 2002
    Losanjealous
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    By the way, I thought this post from dipluso on another thread was an astute, if somewhat overly pessimistic, analysis:

     
  3. Ricardo76

    Ricardo76 New Member

    Sep 18, 2004
    Lisboa
    That post is very amusing. It seems everything will go on Barça's way and on the other hand, Benfica has just too much weaknesses to hide.
    It this was allways so, than FIFA better send the WC to Brazil asap.

    It's not a 50/50 game at all. But, Benfica has prooved a lot of personality on though games. We made it in Porto 0-2; a pretty equal loss at OTrafford; a tie against Villareal in Spain, group winners; 2-1 MU home after one goal against; and now, 2 wins over Liverpool. And some of these games were with a 2/3 reserves.
    We are able to counter attack, score on corners, free kicks, etc ,etc.
    Besides, playing with Barça is allways a word event and certainly will motivate the lads a lot.
    Koeman knows Barca very well. And so does Simão and Geovani!
     
  4. Joelzinho

    Joelzinho Member

    May 23, 2005
    Montreal!
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    All you need is faith, pride and hope. With those qualities people can accomplisg great things.

    P.S: It would also help if our oppenents were cocky like Liverpool:rolleyes:
     
  5. Portista69

    Portista69 New Member

    Sep 6, 2004
    London,Canada
    Club:
    FC Porto
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Check out the Barcelona forum!:p
     
  6. Cliffzinho

    Cliffzinho New Member

    Mar 31, 2005
    Ludlow Mass.
    check out what the Barca fans think

    Re: Who do you want to play in the CL? [R]

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I concur with most people here, Benfica is most likely the easiest draw, they really have been lucky up until now, winning by slim margins against teams that seemed to be playing in disarray and nowhere near top form. Most of their success has been based on never falling behind early, but against Barcelona this will be practically impossible, and my impression is that they won't last long once they are behind.
    The team not to face, might appear to be Milan or Juventus, but I actually think Barça matches up nicely against those teams, whereas Lyon could pull out a huge surprise since they play the exact same way. And yes, I still think without Juninho the first leg they would still be dangerous, although it depends more on who would have the home game first.Barca fans are thinking about facing us
     
  7. NattyBo

    NattyBo Member+

    Apr 30, 2004
    Nunya
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Not everyone overthere is that confident. However, I think that if Barca takes the games seriously and brings their A game, they have to be the favorites.

    It'll be nice seeing Koeman back in the Camp Nou and Im sure this will be a much classier encounter than Chelsea, with a less harsh atmosphere. Good luck and see you in the first leg!
     
  8. um_chili

    um_chili Member+

    Jun 3, 2002
    Losanjealous
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Regardless of whether this represents the consensus of Barca fans, it seems mistaken. We beat Liverpool by three goals on aggregate, hardly a narrow margin. And in the crucial final group game against ManU, we went down a goal early and came back to win (we also came back to tie ManU at Old Trafford before ultimately losing that match).
     
  9. Achillean

    Achillean Member

    Apr 13, 2005
    From the bottom of my heart and the heart of all the madristas in the world we wish benfica good luck.

    Forza Benfica Spain is with you.
     
  10. ECMoney

    ECMoney Member

    May 9, 2003
    Toronto
    it's not that bad of a draw.
    Yes Barcelona and Juve are the two best teams right now left in the competition with probably Milan and Lyon right behind them but it's all about matchups.

    I think Benfica match up against Barcelona MUCH better than if they were to draw Juve or Milan. Juve for example is much more technical, they would have a much easier time with Benfica then Barcelona would and I think Benfica's style will even give them a chance against Barca. I am not saying that I think Benfica will win, in all honestly I think it is 75 % Barcelona and 25% Benfica but also remember that Barcelona is without Messi and Roberto Ayala as I beleive he is injured and won't be back in time for the two legs. They are both important players for Barca.

    Watch out for Milan, as much as I hate them they always save their best for the Champs League and will make a strong run to the finals now that they are clearly not going to win the Serie A this year, especially with a healthy
    Filippo Inzaghi who has scored 9 goals in his past 7 games alongside the consistent Shevchenko and Gilardino duo.
     
  11. umbra

    umbra Member

    Aug 19, 2001
    DC

    ayala? do you mean puyol who is suspended from the first leg (yellow cards)?
     
  12. ECMoney

    ECMoney Member

    May 9, 2003
    Toronto
    Sorry, I think I am losing it, I meant Puyol.
     
  13. CRISTIANO_RONALDO_7

    CRISTIANO_RONALDO_7 New Member

    Mar 20, 2005
    TORONTO
    It didn't matter which team we got...there all good from here on in!!!
    But Benfica needs to do what they did against Liverpool, win the game at The Luz 1-0 or preferably 2-0 and hope to score 2 goals at Barca and hope there strikers fall asleep...:eek: ...Ronaldinho!!! :eek:!! Good Luck!!
     
  14. KhaNArTisT

    KhaNArTisT New Member

    Jan 21, 2006
    Back in Toronto Esse
    ohh man when i first heard of this draw i just knew we werent gonna make it, but now after hearing what these barca fans think, we need to beat their ass. WE beat the champions of europe of last year by three goals to none, and were still LUCKY? was the miccoli goal lucky? was the simao goal lucky? was anderson lucky that game too by just happening to stop the liverpool attackers?

    we dont have nuno, but they dont have messi and puyol, and we might have petit back by then.

    barca is going down........:mad:
     
  15. parkben1

    parkben1 Member

    Feb 18, 2006
    brooklyn
    It's going to be a very difficult tie, but we need to remain confident. Koeman should to watch the replays of Barcelona two matches against atletico madrid and the 1st leg of the copa del rey against Zaragoza. These two teams are mid table teams in la liga and they really handle Barcelona well in those matches. The key is strong defense and playing smart and discipline football..
     
  16. Benfica_fan

    Benfica_fan Member

    Jun 5, 2002
    Connecticut
    It's an interesting draw to say the least. Benfica has a good team and have shown they are good enough to beat anyone. Barcelona might be the best team in the world at the moment, but we have to believe and have faith that Benfica will be able to beat them.

    Forca Benfica!!!
     
  17. parkben1

    parkben1 Member

    Feb 18, 2006
    brooklyn
    In 1992 Benfica played one of the most exciting matches at the Nou Camp and lost to Barcelona 2-1. Michael Landrup said after the match that Benfica was one of the best clubs he ever played. Two weeks earlier I had the pleasure of watching Benfica destroy Dynamo Kiev at the Luz 5-0 . I remember it was heavy rain and about only 5,000 die hard Benfica fans at that game. It was probably the greatest match I ever saw Benfica play..That was the year that Barcelona won it only European cup.
     
  18. Benfica4Life

    Benfica4Life Member

    Feb 16, 2006
    Providence, RI
    Club:
    SL Benfica
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Exactly, Amen to that!!! I have GREAT respect for Barcelona though, great team, didnt really want to play them but hey. If Benfica can beat last years champions, we are definately not out on this 1!!! Ronaldinho is 1 of my favorite players along wit Deco that plays for Portugal so it will be an honor playin them! I disagree when people say Barcelona is 75% to win and Benfica only 25%. The way Benfica has been playing lately, its definately 50%-50% chance, we beat Liverpool and Porto in the same week!!! I understand y people are thinking Barcelona are going to win and they have a reason to but there just going by the paper!!! Can't wait for the game

    Forca Benfica!!!
     
  19. saosebastiao

    saosebastiao New Member

    May 22, 2005
    hmmm...Beto vs Ronaldinho. This will produce some good footage for a compilation!:)
     
  20. KhaNArTisT

    KhaNArTisT New Member

    Jan 21, 2006
    Back in Toronto Esse
    lol yes. and hopefully deco vs petit would be worth watching too
     
  21. benficafan100

    benficafan100 New Member

    Jun 29, 2004
    Oshawa Ontario
    I'd play

    --------------------Moretto----------------------
    Nelson--Luisao----------------------Anderson--Leo
    -----------------Petit----M.Fernandes------------
    Simao>------------------------------------<Robert
    --------------------Karagounis--------------------
    ----------------------Miccoli----------------------

    We don't need the clumbsyness of Alcides as Right back and Nelson would fit perfectly into the mold for this match up.Robert and Simao switching wings,Moretto or Quim playing.Karagounis and Miccoli starting would be good very strong there.Manuel Fernandes and Petit holding the midfield together.That 11 would have a chance against Barca imo

    We can't go into this game thinking that they are the best and that they will murder us.That way,we will loose for sure.We must think of the possibilities,we can win and i think we can.Just wont be easy
     
  22. Joelzinho

    Joelzinho Member

    May 23, 2005
    Montreal!
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Oh man..lol...Ronaldinho is going to have alot of fun at the estadio de luz. I think its going to be one of the better games of the year.

    Oh yeah, Benfica have alot of heart and pride...you see how hard they work against the english teams. Yet the thing is Ronaldinho and Deco are the same way...these guys play with thier blood boiling. So its going to be a tough game.
     
  23. Virgo

    Virgo New Member

    Dec 9, 2005
    Zaragoza put 4 past them in the last game Puyol didn't play.

    Let's hope we can put one and stop them from putting any ;)
     
  24. parkben1

    parkben1 Member

    Feb 18, 2006
    brooklyn
    Barcelona back four are very vulnerable,but in order to cause damage Benfica must be very careful in the back..Barcelona best defense is played with their attack. They are so dangerous that if a team leaves to many men upfront the ball will be in the back of their net. Barcelona will not miss their chances , but they can let in goals. Remember how chelsea beat them last season. I don't think Chelsea is any better then Benfica..
     
  25. ChopSoccerDude

    Dec 3, 2004
    New Jersey
    Club:
    FC Porto
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    :D :D
     

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