Benfica’s journey to the title that has eluded him for three seasons is unstoppable. This Saturday, Desp. Chaves, who had even won at Alvalade and Braga, was run over (5-0) by another excellent performance from Roger Schmidt’s team, which closed the matter in a first-half of great quality, scoring three goals, two of them quickly in the first ten minutes, thanks to goals from Neres and Grimaldo. With this win, the Reds increased their lead over FC Porto to eight points and at the moment no one seems able to stop the cheerful, relaxed and frantic football of the team that has already won an unbeaten run of 21 games.
Even the already guaranteed Champions League qualification and the eventual wear and tear the team suffered in the great friendly game against Juventus motivated the German coach to make many changes to what his gala eleven was. The only change was the departure of Florentino Luís to Neres to return to the title, with Norwegian pushing Aursnes back onto the field to Enzo Fernández and João Mário from the left. On the Flaviense side, Vítor Campelos chose not to change the structure of the team that defeated Gil Vicente in the last round and to change only the left-back: Sandro Cruz, on loan, gave the spot to João Queirós.
When they set foot on Luz’s pitch, Benfica’s players already knew that the Dragons had left two points in the journey to the Azores and that they could extend their lead over their big rivals to an even more comfortable margin. And they didn’t do it for less: in two minutes they took the lead, after winning two corners and António Silva threatened with a heel that went wide. Neres had the honor of opening the score, after an individual shot that turned into a shot at an angle, one of them to lift the stadium.
Benfica went through a phase of great strength and all the players breathed confidence through every pore. It wasn’t long before Benfica expanded the scoreboard. Foul on Rafa near the Flaviense penalty area and Grimaldo who impeccably scored the respective direct free kick. In just ten minutes, the red ensemble was absolutely calm.
Despite the lead, Benfica kept looking for more goals, to be finally rested. Rafa Silva threatened with a frontal shot that hit the defensive wall of Trás-os-Montes (21′) and Gonçalo Ramos lost an incredible opportunity, after another show from Neres on the right, with a header wide (29′).
momentary reaction
In the next few minutes, a response finally came from Desp. Keys. It didn’t take long, that’s true, but the visitors still made three dangerous moves in a row: a good shot by João Mendes was saved safely by Vlachodimos (33′); shortly afterwards, Héctor Hernández did not take advantage of a move in which he was isolated against the Greek goalkeeper, who had his best moment in the match (34′); and to finish, Jonny Arriba shot flawlessly in a good position (36′).
The old saying goes that those who don’t score suffer. And that’s what happened to Desp. Chaves as soon as Benfica accelerated a bit again. In the next minute, a cross from Aursnes – which came unmarked on the right wing – was mishandled by Paulo Vítor. Gonçalo Ramos did not forgive this time and leaned towards third, closing any discussion that could still exist about the winner of the match.
It was clear that the second half was much smoother, although Enzo Fernández still celebrated after another indefensible kick – an offside from his Norwegian team-mate before the cross invalidated the moment. Benfica took the opportunity to do some competitive training and Schmidt to lead the squad, giving some holders a break. Whenever Chaves threatened to revolt, the defense line commanded by Otamendi (100th game with an eagle on his chest) brought order to the house. And towards the end (81′), Enzo even got the disallowed goal, giving Musa a chance to close the result, something the Croat didn’t pass up. The handful would arrive in the last breath, with Rafa heading for goal a ball that bounced off the post after Gilberto’s shot.
Source: DN
