S.L. Benfica vs. S.C. Braga: Primeira Liga - 1ª jornada Stadium: Estadio da Luz Date: Saturday, August 18th, 2012 Time: 3:15 est (20:15) Benfica's 2012/2013 Season Opener.
Well I can tell you Aimar and Gaitan probably won't be in the lineup or play at all. Gaitan has a abdominal contusion and Aimar muscular problems ever since the first preseason game against Marseille. http://www.abola.pt/nnh/ver.aspx?id=347710 Hope Nolito plays as well. Been one of my favorite last season. Really want to see him stay. Competition is fierce for a starting spot in the midfield. Ola John, Nolito, Gaitan, Salvio, Enzo, Yannick, Bruno Cesar, Martins. We definitely got depth in the mid, that's for sure.
Luisao has been called up and will play, says JJ. http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=773746
Lista de convocados: Guarda-redes: Artur Moraes e Paulo Lopes; Defesas: Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Garay, Melgarejo, Luisinho e Miguel Vítor; Médios: Javi García, Witsel, Bruno César, Nolito, Carlos Martins, Aimar, Salvio, Gaitán e Enzo Perez; Avançados: Cardozo e Rodrigo. Ola John, Saviola and Yannick not called up. With only 2 strikers called up, we already know JJ will on play a 1 striker formation. Good to see Gaitan an Aimar called up who were doubtful a few days ago.
Starting Lineup: --------------Artur-------------- Maxi---Luisão--Garay--Melgarejo ----------Witsel---Javi--------- Salvio-----------------------B.Cesar --------Rodrigo--Cardozo-------- AWESOME LINEUP!!!! Welcome baCK Salvio! 2 striker formation!!!! LET'S FCKIN GOOO BENFICA!!! SLB
0-0 at the half. Too many errors committed (Luisão and Artur). Passing is horrible. Cardozo is ghost as usual. Need Aimar or Carlos Martins out there to support Rodrigo and Cardozo. Gaitan and Nolito should replace Salvio and Cesar.
Melgarejo, even though Benfica have a history of turning wings into wings backs it does not always work, Yannick as a RWB was priceless (JJ's mental if you cant be a wing back Yannick then I don't need you even though I bought you as a striker.) JJ is going to turn poor Malgarejo into a Emerson II (worse then EmersonI.)
Another horrible mistake from him, passing it right to a braga player on a clearance inside the box, another Braga goal.
Unbelievable! JJ takes off Rodrigo, only striker who's doing something and keeps Cardozo on. Aimar and Enzo replace Salvio and and Rodrigo!
I think we should keep Cardozo unless we get a good price but seriously can he stop taking the penalties 2-2 (BTW Cardozo would be getting a bucket load in England.)