Unsurprisingly, Benfica completed another day of competition with honors and honours, reaching the six-week break required by the World Cup with an eight-point lead over the competition. This Sunday the “victim” was Gil Vicente, suffering an honorable defeat (3-1), not least because of the way he performed at Luz. But the offensive dynamics (less exuberant than usual) and defensive security of the incarnate prevented the Gilistas from complicating their mission. The League Cup follows, before a trip to Braga to resume the main competition.
Facing an opponent in the middle of a results crunch, Roger Schmidt didn’t want to take it easy and presented what his favorite eleven was until Aursnes was able to move into the starting line-up – with the injury of the Norwegian, the Benfica coach facilitated the mission. Gonçalo Ramos returned after a minor physical problem, which was the only change from the team that beat Estoril for the cup. On the other hand, Carlos Cunha, who succeeded Ivo Vieira in the Gilista command, had to do without the punished Lucas Cunha and Kevin Medina, who was suspended during the week, in addition to Pedro Tiba, who had relinquished his place in midfield to Matheus Good.
Despite the big difference between the two teams, Gil entered Luz without any problems, tried with some daring to reach Vlachodimos’ goal but always collided with the competence of the red defenders. Relaxed, the Benfica players took advantage of the spaces and it did not take long to gain the advantage: Rúben Fernandes brought down Rafa in the area and in the ninth minute João Mário did not forgive, making it 1-0 and keeping an impeccable record in scoring big goals and penalties this season.
The early goal did not change the line-ups of the teams, who continued at the same pace. Benfica came close to second, in a nice collective action, but Enzo Fernández’s shot went just over (15 minutes). And unexpectedly it was Gil who scored, also from 11 meters. Fran Navarro’s header was deflected by Otamendi’s arm and the Spanish striker capitalized on his chance, tricking the Greek goalkeeper to make it 1-1 (17′).
More bid, less bid
If shortly afterwards Rafa made it almost 2-1 with a cross that Kritciuk saved with his fingertips (23′), the truth is that the visitors continued to argue game for game. Although without major solutions in the decision zone, Gil Vicente had more possession shortly after half an hour (51% to 49%), although there was always the feeling that, one shot less shot, the game would be turned again for the League leader . And so it happened: at 36″, Rafa Neres discovered loose on the right, he hit the ball against the far post and Gonçalo Ramos only had to push it into the back of the net, making it 2-1 and scoring his eighth goal in his career. name in the league and equals Navarro at the top of the goalscorer list.
Until the break, and always with Enzo Fernández as the beacon of all moves, Benfica was finally in full control of events, preventing the Northerners from continuing to steal the ball and leaving in well-developed constructions.
In the second half, Gil again made a daring (but always harmless) entry, but Benfica put an end to all the pretensions of Carlos Cunha’s team early on. At 53″, a cross from Enzo Gonçalo Ramos caught unmarked and the striker headed in: 3-1, rendering the Russian goalkeeper’s rack useless, isolating himself in the lead of the goalscorers. However, the expected rain did made his entry, making the throw even faster and the technicians began the dance of substitutions. The result would not change, although Benfica wasted two or three good chances before that, including a shot on the post by Neres. But the main goal was achieved and Schmidt added the 25th game without defeat: he has only John Mortimore, Jimmy Hagan (both with 26) and Béla Guttamann (31) ahead of him.
Source: DN
