Marítimo hasn’t stopped Benfica’s triumphant journey yet, having won 13 in 13 official matches, seven of which were in the I Liga. The 5-0 against Madeira was the biggest result of the “Roger Schmidt era” and the Eagles now have a five-point lead over FC Porto and 11 over Sporting, after taking advantage of the Dragons’ draw in Estoril and the defeat of Leonine in Bessa. As for Marítimo, they still have the worst championship start in their history, with seven defeats in seven games. And with a record for goals against after seven rounds (22).
Aursnes was the big news in Benfica’s eleven, replacing Florentino, in what was the only change from the game against Juventus. And as expected, Luz, with 56,000 spectators in the stands, was an authentic volcano.
This volcano almost erupted in the second minute, when a Marítimo player (Cláudio Winck) offered an own goal. During the opening minutes, however, this move was the exception to the rule, as the eagles exerted great dominance in possession, but without endangering Miguel Silva’s goal. Not even when João Mário appeared in a good position in the visitors’ penalty area in the 24th minute, but shot to the clouds. Two minutes later, finally, there was some shiver in Luz, as Mosquera sent in a corner and dodged the goal of David Neres, who had shot from a difficult angle.
The warning had to be taken seriously, as Rafa immediately opened the scoring, using a touch from Leo Andrade to isolate him from the maritimist guardian. And the Portugal international was not forgiving, scoring his sixth goal this season (fourth in the Portuguese league).
Now the volcano was active and the fans practically filling Luz didn’t get tired of “pushing” their team. João Mário lost another great opportunity, isolated against Miguel Silva, not trying to trivela. Before halftime it was Rafa who was close to the double and Goncalo Ramos also smelled the goal after he gave the visitors their goalkeeper. As for Marítimo… a complete desert at the offensive level, as if to show that the zeros and the four goals scored correspond to the value of the team.
Benfica did not score to end the first half, but scored to open the second. And in big style: Bah crossed low and Gonçalo Ramos struck with a subtle artistic touch that eluded Miguel Silva.
The Reds dominated at their leisure and didn’t even have to force the pace, revealing the shocking difference in quality against a team that if they continue to show themselves this way it is very unlikely they will remain on the top flight. Throughout the match, the sailors had only one approach with relative danger to the goal of Vlachodimos, who certainly had one of the most restful afternoons of his career.
With 61″, Enzo Fernández opened the book and, through an extraordinary individual move, offered the goal to António Silva, with the young central player being very close to a first team goal and hitting the post with his right foot.
Benfica is a team that breathes health in all sectors and the game for the third goal, scored in the 64th minute, was the perfect example. António Silva (another perfect performance yesterday) retrieved the ball, sent it to Rafa, who “turned on the turbo”, leaving the opponent behind and watching Gonçalo Ramos who, isolated from Miguel Silva, shot to count. It was the young striker’s eighth goal this season (fourth in the championship) and the fourth assist from Rafa, who confirmed himself as Goncalo Ramos’ best friend when he scored the third goal for the under-21 international.
At 68″ Roger Schmidt let Enzo Fernández and Rafa rest, while Florentino and Draxler (his debut for Luz) came in. The team didn’t slow down and there was still time for David Neres and Julian Draxler to secure the final 5-0, marks the great goal of the German midfielder.
Thus, Benfica continues to keep an eye on the record set by the team coached by Sven-Goran Eriksson in 1982-83, when it took 15 consecutive official wins to open the season. There are still two games to go to match the goal and the next two rivals are V. Guimarães, in the hometown… and PSG, in Luz.
Source: DN
