Roger Schmidt’s Benfica fairy tale continues. That’s 12 wins in 12 games! The German coach, who risks going down in history with the best-ever start to the season, passed the toughest test of the season with distinction and with a little help from a two-sided Juventus.
Going to Italy has always been a problem. Five defeats and a draw in the last six voyages say a lot about the difficulties that have arisen on transalpine soil. That is why today’s victory in Turin (2-1) finally makes history and gives three points to Benfica, who thus shares the lead of the group with PSG, which suffered under Maccabi Haifa, in Israel (3-1) . On October 5, the Reds will host Messi and his company, at Estádio da Luz, in a match that may already qualify whoever wins.
In Turin, Roger Schmidt made three changes from the game with Famalicão – Gilberto, Draxler and Musa giving way to Bah, João Mário and Gonçalo Ramos – to play in an unconvincing 4x2x3x1. The vulnerability of the red system was revealed as soon as the referee whistled before the start of the match. The clock had not even reached five minutes when Benfica conceded the first goal. Milik got a guided ball and went in front of Gonçalo Ramos (he went to help the defense by taking a free kick), without a chance on his way to Vlachodimos.
Playing in 3x5x2 with Vlahovic and Milik side by side, Juventus came into play very strong and with an intensity rarely seen this season (and which would not be seen again in the second half). THE vecchia signora could have increased the lead right away, but Filip Kostic missed the 2-0 open goal.
Only after half an hour did Benfica stabilize itself defensively, Enzo took over the substitutions and let João Mário go. Rafa appeared in the 39th minute and shook the post from Perin (the goalkeeper who had to sign for the Eagles in the summer of 2019 instead of the injured Szczesny). Juventus trembled and would eventually face the draw. Miretti stepped on Gonçalo Ramos in the Italian area and the referee awarded a penalty after being advised of the offer by VAR. Called to score, João Mário made it 1-1. The midfielder scored his fifth goal of the season.
Portuguese twist
Alegri longed for the break. Somehow he felt like the game was getting out of hand and he needed the rest to bring mental freshness to the team as he was physically limited in choices – he had six absent due to injury. And if in the first time the vecchia signora Instability started to develop in the red defense, in the second half it became more of a challenge to see how the eagles would position themselves without bothering Vlachodimos. Arkadiusz Milik saw a self-shot ball bounce off João Mário and almost betrayed the Greek goalkeeper who had reflexes and shook him for a corner.
The difference was in Benfica’s attitude and good positioning. Enzo had another match from those who already identified him as a target for Liverpool and started the turnaround in the scoreboard. The Argentinian served Gonçalo Ramos, but Bremer cut, the ball fell to Rafa, who fired for Perin’s incomplete save… and Neres appeared for the rebound. A left-footed goal gave Benfica a decisive lead. Once again, the Brazilian shows that he can remain unnoticed on the pitch for more than 60 minutes until he makes the difference.
Alegri responded with Di María and De Sciglio, but Juventus lacked a brain in midfield. Benfica realized this and made up for this absence of ideas vecchia signora – appeared only in transitional moments – his strength. To the point of a good 15 minutes of dominance and good chances to reach third. Rafa and Neres warmed up Perin’s gloves, avoiding the magnification of the marker.
To try and stop the red offensive impulse, the Italian coach changed the system and Juventus grew in the game, but Schmidt refreshed the heart of the midfield (Aursnes instead of Enzo) and so Benfica underwent the final choke. Moise Kean saw the post deny him the draw. Vlahovic saw the VAR deny him a goal… which would bring the equalizer and Gleison Bremer missed the 2-2 open goal. And Benfica came out victorious from Italy.
SEE THE GOALS
1-0 Milik (Juventus)
1-1 Joao Mario (Benfica)
1-2 David Neres (Benfica)
Source: DN
