Since the 2018-19 season, Benfica have not suffered three consecutive defeats, then led by Rui Vitória and, curiously enough, in the club’s last season as champions, a feat achieved after the arrival of Bruno Lage. In the 2023/24 I Liga, after the defeat in Chaves, the lead of 10 points before the derby with FC Porto disappeared and it became only four. In the Champions League, a win by more than two goals at Inter Milan, or else a win in the shoot-out by penalties, is needed to progress to the semi-finals.
What are the main causes that explain the debacle of a team that had only lost twice in the first 45 official challenges of the season, both in the stronghold of Sp. Braga, one of which was in the penalty shootout? Álvaro Magalhães, former captain of Benfica, starts by giving credit to his opponents. “FC Porto and Inter Milan were undoubtedly better and there was total disbelief in the team in Chaves, who had an opponent who was also very good and skilled,” he refers to DN.
The former Benfica defender believes that the lack of physical freshness will not be one of the reasons for this results crisis, nor does he blame Roger Schmidt for the lack of rotation during the season. “I think it’s more of a psychological issue, the team was broken after the defeat against FC Porto. But whoever plays for Benfica can’t go down like that because of a defeat,” he says.
Former goalkeeper José Moreira, national champion in 2004/05, is not worried about the latest results. “Benfica continue to lead the league, four points ahead of second place. And even if they lose in the next round, with Estoril, they know they will remain in first place… The latest results only show that football. is not an exact science and if there hadn’t been so much bad luck no one would be talking it would have been enough for Gonçalo Ramos to go to FC Porto and the match would have ended 2-2 and Chaves even scored after finishing the match…”, highlights.
José Moreira disagrees with the criticism leveled at Roger Schmidt regarding some passivity in the substitutions when things don’t go according to plan and regarding the seven-day holiday the players get in March, during the last stop of the national teams. “When the team won, he was praised by everything and everyone. What’s the point of praising his leadership style and coaching skills all season and now, just because of a few bad results, questioning your work?” asks he wonders. .
Footballers like João Mário, Rafa Silva and Gonçalo Ramos are far from the brilliance they have shown for most of the season, but Álvaro Magalhães thinks they are not in the worst shape. “I’ve seen these analyses, but I think the only thing that happens is that against opponents who take less space, these players have a lot of difficulties, especially João Mário and Rafa. The last opponents studied the Benfica team very well and succeeded in annulling them,” he defends.
Enzo is always missed…
On the other hand, Álvaro Magalhães emphasizes that Enzo Fernández is missing in midfield and argues that Chiquinho is not the best replacement for the Argentinian. “Enzo is a fantastic player, that’s why he was sold for all those millions [121 milhões de euros, no mercado de janeiro]. The team played mechanized with him and in my opinion there are better options for his place than the one used. Namely Aursnes, a very foresighted player who thinks faster, defends well and attacks well… I think he and Florentino would be the best midfield duo and João Mário could also play with Aursnes in some matches.”
José Moreira states that Enzo Fernández “is not needed because he is no longer at the club”, adding that “certainly there was not a single person who questioned his departure, the way it was made”.
In Chaves’ defeat, Álvaro Magalhães clears away referee João Pinheiro and VAR António Nobre. “The possible penalty shot against Otamendi was very confusing. The TV images made it impossible to comprehend what was happening. In addition, I remember that in the first half there was also a questionable shot involving Grimaldo in the Benfica penalty area.” he determines. José Moreira is also uncritical of João Pinheiro and António Nobre, referring to the fact that “referees are a very important part of football and should be left alone so they can do their job”.
Álvaro Magalhães thinks there is a real danger of Benfica losing the championship and remembers a season he lived with the Eagles with a bad memory. “Football is unpredictable and we can never take anything for granted. In 1985/86 we were many points ahead of FC Porto and eventually lost to Sporting in the penultimate round, with FC Porto overtaking us at the top,” he recalled. Interestingly, in the current edition of the I Liga, the Lions will again be the opponents of the Reds in the penultimate round, although this time in Alvalade, unlike what happened 38 years ago, when they froze Luz and triumphed with 2-1.
The former left back gives the recipe for the last days. “There are six finals, starting with the next game with Estoril [domingo às 18.00 horas, na Luz]. It will be a tough and decisive game, against a team that will give everything, because it needs points in the battle for maintenance. Benfica’s players will have to be very strong psychologically to withstand the pressure of this game. And I think Roger Schmidt also needs to step in and make some changes that will be important to give the team a different capacity,” he concludes.
Source: DN
