The shock after barely six minutes was followed by a calm triumph with a good performance. Benfica returned to winning ways this Saturday, in Luz, beating Rio Ave 4-2, after two consecutive draws (V. Guimarães for the Championship and PSG in the Champions League), maintaining the championship lead with three more points than FC Porto, placed second.
Roger Schmidt made five changes to the starting XI and led the team with Tuesday’s game against PSG in the Champions League in mind. Bah, Grimaldo, Florentino, Rafa and DavidNeres left and Gilberto, Ristic, Aursnes, Draxler and Diogo Gonçalves came in. At Rio Ave, Luís Freire made two moves: Guga returned from suspension to replace Joao Graça and Fabio Ronaldo replaced Boateng, who was injured on the final day.
Benfica put pressure on, but Rio Ave silenced Luz after six minutes. A great pass from Samaris (former Benfica player) tore through the eagle defences, with Aziz Fábio serving Ronaldo in front of goal.
The surprise was short-lived, however. Benfica under high pressure reacted shortly afterwards and Gonçalo Ramos left a first warning at 9″, but the ball went past Vilacondenses’ goal. At 13″, Gonçalo Ramos equalized after a flashy move from João Mário (great exhibition ) and Enzo Fernandez.
Always in high rotation, the eagles scored twice more until the break. First after an error that resulted in an own goal by goalkeeper Jhonatan. And again on top of 45″ by Goncalo Ramos (he broke his record for goals in a season, nine this season), after a great assist from Enzo.
The second half did not bring much news, a slightly better Rio Ave to try and counter the greater strength of the opponent, and a Benfica (with Musa and Florentino in the places of Gonçalo Ramos and Enzo), although more relaxed, looking to the fourth goal. This would appear from the Croat Musa, who made his debut with an eagle on his chest after an assist from Ristic.
A beautiful moment towards the end in Luz, with the second goal from Rio Ave, a work of art signed by Guga, with a first-class shot from outside the area.
It turned out to be an easy match for Roger Schmidt, who managed to lead the team on the eve of a very difficult match, the trip to Parque dosd Príncipes, on Tuesday, to meet Messi, Mbappe and Neymar again.
Source: DN
