Di Maria's pace of play looks more suitable to be applied in North America's Major League Soccer or the Saudi Pro League, but in the Portuguese League it is too slow and at many times, proves costly in the Eagles developing a fast attacking pace. A club of Benfica's stature can not continue to struggle to find the goal against the minnows of the world but this is what we are witnessing regularly with this slow build up.
Now, this is not to say that Di Maria has not had his share of brilliant moments this season; he has, but for a club that continues to funnel an attack constantly through him when he is on the field, more often than not, that attack has often stalled. This cannot continue if Benfica has any hopes of capturing the Portuguese League title when the season wraps.
With a pair of big games coming up against league leaders Sporting over the next eight days. The club's title hopes could be all but over come next Saturday. Benfica travels to Alvalade on April 6th, needing a win in league action to close the gap on Sporting, but before that, they will host their crosstown rivals at the Luz in the second leg of the Taca de Portugal semi-final, in which they go in trailing after the first leg 2-1.
Benfica manager Roger Schmidt is also at fault in this disorganized bunch with his constant insistence on playing players out of positions they are most comfortable in to succeed, but here is hoping that maybe, just maybe, he sees what we all can see when Di Maria is on the pitch, but knowing the German.... he seems more the willing to go down with the sinking ship. Let's see how it all plays out
No comments:
Post a Comment