SL Benfica vs Futebol Clube do Porto Taça de Portugal 2nd Leg (Benfica lead 2-0 on aggregate) Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica Wednesday, April 20, 2011 20:30 --I think the first leg was like 75 days ago, but whatever! We'll have to field a strong lineup to overturn this deficit, especially since Benfica rested their starters this weekend in preparation for this match. And, since we have a meaningless league game this weekend, we can expect AVB to rest several players then, ahead of next week's Europa League 1st leg. --Fucile and Rafa are officially out, and it is almost certain that Belluschi and Helton won't play either. Luckily the captain's injury isn't very serious, and he should be ready for Villarreal next Thursday. --So it should Beto as the GK, and O Jogo are predicting that Sapunaru and Otamendi will return to the starting XI, ahead of Sereno and Maicon. --In MF, Fernando will return from his well-deserved rest and start at DM, and Guarin should be available as well despite a right-leg injury. I'd personally like to see Ruben Michael get another start and let Guarin rest, but we'll see. --And in attack, the only question is who starts at LW; I'd start Cristian Rodriguez, but AVB may give Varela another go. This would be my lineup: Beto Sapunaru-Rolando-Otamendi-Alvaro Fernando Ruben-Moutinho Hulk-Falcao-Cristian Rodriguez
haha i didn't even know a first leg was played. benefica should (rightly) play very defensive football and will probably be tough to break down
I could care less. I'll watch but won't be overly disappointed if we don't over turn this deficit. I want Europa!
Lista de convocados: Guarda-rede: Beto e Kieszek: Defesas: Sapunaru, Álvaro Pereira, Rolando, Sereno e Otamendi; Médios: João Moutinho, Mariano, Rúben Micael, Fernando e Souza; Avançados; Hulk, Falcao, Walter, Varela, Rodriguez e James Not Called due to injury or rest: Fucile, Rafa, Helton, Belluschi, Maicon and Guarin.
Id like nothing more than to win and capture all the trophies that benfiquistas have been going on about winning this season (liga, taca, european cup) and especially them falling second best to us in each competition. However, I know that in all likelihood this is more of a dream than reality... like I said, I'd like to win, but not at the cost of an injury...as a result I'd rest some key players...they've played a lot of games in the past few weeks, they're in line for a rest.
maxi in possession, taps the ball beyond his reach...takes a dive...foul Porto...is that how its goin to be all night?
Looks like 0-0 at HT, I'm not watching the game at work. If we can pull one back, the ending could be real dramatic.
I'm at work, too and no one is at the Benfica page...is the score really 0-0 at halftime with no cards to speak off (according to livescore.com)? Seems rather boring lol.
GOLOOOOO! Joao 'maca podre' Moutinho! Huge interception from Fernando to break the counter, Cristian composed enough to feed Moutinho the ball. Well placed effort. Took his time and slotted it from 25 yards.
Haha congrats. Not a disappointing (probable) loss at all. Hopefully this will open up some eyes and take out whoever needs to be taken out.
you know what, you guys can have this match...take off Falcao, Hulk or Alvaro now...these guys are clearly going in to injure