Wednesday 005 Benfica vs PSV Eindhoven
Competition time: 2021-08-19 03:00
Last season, Benfica and Eindhoven ended in depression. The "Farmers" trailed Ajax by 16 points, a huge gap that left them helpless. Their opponent Benfica didn't even finish second in the Portuguese Premier League last season and missed tickets to the Champions League group stage. In addition, the "Eagles" lost the president of the club and were accused of money laundering and tax violations.
However, at the start of the new season, things are different. Both teams have won all the matches, it feels great, and there will be fierce duels for a place in the group stage. An epic battle is about to take place.
Benfica coach Zogé Jesus said the match should be played in the group stage. He may be right. His players won four league and Champions League games, easily knocking out Sparta Moscow. The total goal difference is 8:1. Eindhoven, on the other hand, was furious, beating Galatasaray (7-2) and Central Jutland (4-0) before beating Ajax 4-0 in the Super Cup and starting 2-0 in the league. Their total goal difference in these six games is 17:2.
Such indicators allow us to expect something special in this game. In addition, both teams spoke of excellent mood and maximum confidence.
We also noticed that both Benfica and Eindhoven played offensive, aggressive football and praised the quality of their opponents. Roger Schmidt noted the Portuguese's outstanding performance and experience in possession, and his main task was to keep opponents away from his goal. Jesus wanted the same, noting the Dutchman's individual flanks and attacks on the flanks.
Interestingly, both feel better on the counter-attack than in conventional combat. Rafael van der Vaart first noticed the pace at Eindhoven and said he liked the PSV's game. Luther Gurlitt also saw the PSV's counter-attack energy, "They're going to tear you apart in the counterattack, it's a death sentence." ”
But only Benfica fits this style. They are patient and precise in their possession of the ball and can calm down their opponents. And the Eagles' counterattack was equally sharp. Very curious duel.
It's also interesting how German Schmidt will react on the pitch to Jesus' remarks on the pitch that the German coach is weaker and less resourceful than the Portuguese coach and the Argentine coach. At a news conference, Logue ignored the provocation, saying he would not comment on remarks he had not heard.
Former Beijing Guoan boss Schmidt believes Eindhoven is stronger than last season
Jorge Jesus has used the 4-4-2 and 3-4-2-1 formations. He said he doesn't yet know which one he'll choose today or which strikers he'll use. Most likely is the second, as in the two games against Sparta Moscow. And, most likely, Yaremchuk served as the arrowhead. The Ukrainian who made his debut in the league against Aroca was appreciated, although he only played 57 minutes before going to rest, and they even renamed the club's official Tweet to Benficachuk. On the flanks will be Grimaldo and Gonsalves, defensive midfielder Weigel, centre-backs Verisimo, Pizi and Rafa Silva should return. They all got their shifts off last weekend.
In the personnel loss of Benfica, we took note of striker Seferović, who is unlikely to play in this game. Belgian centre-back Fertonghen has a lighter injury than expected, but is also too likely to make a comeback today.
Schmidt made seven changes to the starting line-up in last weekend's league game. First goalkeeper Dromel must return today. Defensive midfielder Van Hinkel has recovered from injury. In the 4-2-3-1 formation, Zahavi Götze is the attacking core, and the 2014 world champion and the Israeli striker work together seamlessly. Right wing winger Maduekai will remain in the starting line-up, scoring in the league and in excellent form. The flank was replaced by former Sporting Lisbon player Bruma, who also scored against Hercules. There was no defender Ferhefer because his wife had recently given birth.
Maduakai has scored five goals so far in the new season
Benfica and Eindhoven met seven times. Both sides have two wins and three draws. The goal difference was 16:14, in favour of the former. Their most famous meeting took place in the 1987/88 European Champions League final. PSV won the penalty shootout. But just after that, in four matches, Benfica won twice and drew twice – in the 1998/99 Champions League group stage and the 2010/11 Europa League quarterfinals. Prediction: More than 2.5 goals per game (reference scores: 2-1, 2-2)
This article is written by Leon Vogaft