Date: Friday September 8th Time: 7:00 p.m. Local Time | 2:00 p.m. ET | 11:00 a.m. PT Location: Estadio Marcolino de Castro, Santa Maria da Feira Television: Sport TV 1 Acestream: ArenaVision 17 Web Stream: TBD
Expecting Coentrao to be rested. We might also see a couple of surprises in defense as Coates is playing a World Cup qualifying game 2 days before this match. Still, I expect to see: Patricio Piccini, Coates, Mathieu, Jonathan William, Battaglia, Gelson, Acuna Bruno Fernandes, Dost
Feirense had a good start to the season and they are aligned with Benfica and will do whatever it takes. the refs also had to sleep on an international break with Sporting on top, they will be coming out looking to target us.
I could see it in a 3 man midfield, William as DM, Battaglia as a box-to-box and Bruno Fernandes as a creative playmaker. But in a 2 man midfield, yes I don't see it.
It'll be interesting to see if it's pinto or Tobias that gets the start. Tobias would be my guess considering recent call ups. On the other hand, JJ doesn't usually care about resting players so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Coates start
Good call lol Patrício Piccini Coates Mathieu Jonathan William Battaglia Gelson Acuna B. Fernandes Dost
aaaaand Piccini injured. It's okay we'll finally see Ristovski.... oh wait nvm he wasn't called up. Bruno Cesar at RB EDIT NVM Alan Ruiz is coming in for Piccini...... this could mean we're going 3 at the back
Looks like Batta is playing RB. I wonder if he's played that position before. William at DM, Bruno Fernandes comes deeper in midfield and Alan plays behind Dost.
What a poor first half. 0 shots says it all. We started off well but after the injury and Alan Ruiz coming on we completely lost the midfield. This guy doesn't run, doesn't press, takes 5 seconds to think of a pass. Just slowed everything down. Acuna looks so fatigued, Gelson poor, Bas Dost non-existent, Bruno Fernandes since he came deeper sort of disappeared, Mathieu had a mistake which almost cost a goal (the Feirense striker had a poor finish). We need an injection of pace.
0-0 at the half. Was hoping to get a goal before half but no luck. Mediocre game so far. They have not exploited the right side of he field with Battaglia there so that's a good sign. Patrício has been great, kept the game tied.
Funny, cause it wasn't until like 4-5 mins left in the half and I was like oh yeah, A. Ruiz is in the game lol. Poor impact for sure.