Benfica baffles in season opening loss to Famalicao

Benfica's season kicked off with an unexpected thud as they fell 2-0 to Famalicao. Fans were left scratching their heads, not just because of the loss, but also due to the strange lineup chosen by coach Roger Schmidt. With three defensive midfielders and no wingers on the field, many are wondering what he was thinking.

Starting the season with a solid game plan is crucial, but Schmidt's choices left many questioning his strategy. Instead of employing dynamic wingers who can stretch the field and create scoring opportunities, he opted for his favourites playing out of position. What was meant to be a tactical masterclass turned into a perplexing puzzle.

With three defensive midfielders on the pitch, in Florentino, Aursnes and Barreiro it felt like Benfica was playing not to lose rather than going for the win. This defensive posture is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. They might have had good intentions, but it certainly didn't work out.

Benfica supporters are notoriously passionate and vocal. After just one match, frustrations began boiling over. Fans flooded social media, expressing their discontent. How could a club with Benfica's rich history come out with such a dud after last season's disappointing campaign.

The uproar was palpable. “We need attackers, not a fortress,” one fan exclaimed, perfectly capturing the sentiment of so many others. It’s hard to blame them. A season opener should inspire hope, not dread, what was the point of a line up lacking wingers when there where two sitting on the bench.

Famalicao deserves credit for coming out with a clear game plan. They capitalized on Benfica’s uncharacteristic lack of offensive threat. By pressuring the midfield and exploiting the mistakes created by the club to score a goal in each half, much to the delight of their home crowd fans.

With the season just starting, it’s clear that adjustments are needed. Will Schmidt continue with this unorthodox lineup, or will he adapt to the mounting pressure. The next few matches will be crucial. Consistency is key in football, and if Benfica hopes to challenge for the title, they need to quickly find their rhythm and use players in positions that they will thrive.

We need to learn from last season's mistakes not start creating new ones in 2024-25. The Hysteria just one game in may be a bit over board but with rivals Sporting and FC Porto picking up season opening wins. You can't blame the fans for just feeling that they were right all along in wanting Schmidt gone last season only to see club President Rui Costa bring him back.

On a bright note, Tomas Araujo looked very good in the starting center back role and a UEFA Youth League reunion with partner Antonio Silva that saw the pair capture the championship in 2022, could be a very promising twosome for the upcoming season.

Benfica will look to get things right in their season opening home game against Casa Pia next week but the clock is already ticking on Schmidt and Costa's futures with the club.

 

Benfica's road to redemption as League season to commence

As the sun rises on a new season, Benfica is set to clash with Famalicao tomorrow, igniting hopes of reclaiming the Portuguese League title. The excitement is palpable, and fans are eager to see how manager Roger Schmidt plans to steer the ship this time around.

The team is eager to reclaim its place at the top of the Portuguese League. Fans, who once cheered loudly, have expressed their frustrations, and it’s clear that the pressure is on manager Roger Schmidt to get it right this time around and the stakes couldn't be higher for him entering game one of the season.

Schmidt finds himself in a challenging position. Last season's results left much to be desired, leading to discontent among the supporters. When fans feel let down, tensions rise. Schmidt needs to show that he can adapt and turn the tide. His coaching skills will be put to the test as he navigates through the pressures of high expectations. Can he rally the team and inspire them to greatness? Only time will tell.

The fans, who have remained loyal through thick and thin, will be hoping to witness a dynamic and resilient Benfica side that can challenge for the title with conviction this season. As the players take to the field, the echoes of the past year's struggles will linger, but the prospect of a fresh start and the quest for glory will undoubtedly fuel their ambition.

Tune in tomorrow at 6pm WEST to catch the action of the club's kick off to the season.

Benfica preparing transfer shuffle before deadline day

As the summer transfer window passes the half way mark from the deadline, Benfica is gearing up for a dramatic reshuffle. With several players on the chopping block, as the club looks set to make significant changes.

One of the hottest names linked with a move is David Neres. The Brazilian winger, known for his flair and pace, has reportedly caught the eye of Napoli. With the Serie A club aiming to strengthen its squad, reports say Napoli and Neres' agent have come to terms on salary but Benfica has still not received the €25M that they want to move on from the player.

Striker Casper Tengstedt is another name linked with a departure from the club this summer and Italian side Hellas Verona is close to closing a loan deal for the Danish 24 year old that will include a buy option of around €7M for 70% of the players pass. Verona is hoping to strengthen their attack with a player that would struggle for minutes at Benfica this season.

Lastly, we've got Tiago Gouveia, who seems to be making headlines with a potential switch to Anderlecht. The Portuguese midfielder has shown promise but hasn’t quite found his groove at Benfica. Moving to Belgium could be the key that unlocks his full potential but Benfica would only be interested in loaning the player out for regular playing time.

As these deals unfold, it’s clear that Benfica is not just looking to offload players; they’re strategizing for the future. Every transfer is a step toward building a more formidable squad. The club's leadership understands that sometimes you have to let go of talent to create space for new prospects who can contribute more effectively.