Summer 2012
By the summer of 2012, SLB were looking to make some moves to improve their squad for the upcoming 2012/13 season. Although, the previous season was not a total failure with SLB winning the Taça da Liga and a decent Quarter-Finals appearance in the UEFA Champions League, it was yet another year in which SLB finished second place behind FC Porto. With Presidential elections coming up in the fall, SLB President Luis Filipe Viera and company wanted to please the masses. So SLB signed winger Eduardo Toto Salvio from Atletico Madrid for an approximate 13 million €. Shortly after Salvio's arrival to Lisbon, SLB also signed 20 year old Liberian born FC Twente winger Ola John for approximately 9 million €. With more wingers came more strikers as SC Braga's Lima also joined SLB on the very last day of the summer transfer window signing a 4 year deal.
We also saw in the summer transfer window two very important key players depart SLB Axel Witsel (Approximately 40 Million to Zenit) and Javi Garcia. Witsel had only been on SLB for one year (was on a 5 year contract with 40 million buy-out clause) and there was talks of him going to Real Madrid. Garcia who had been on SLB for 3 seasons signed to Manchester City for over 15 million pounds. As devastating as it was to have both key midfielders leave, it was 60 million € that are coming towards SLB way. As critics and fans persecuted the team for these decisions he team still has to go forward. Change is inevitable.
At this point fans did not understand the logic at the SLB camp and that was to spend money that they did not have on wingers that they did not need due to a deep squad of wingers and forwards. As one online Pod caster put it "Benfica is like a skinny girl who is stacked in the front but flat in the back." This was a common topic on the SLB blogs and why was Benfica not signing a much needed left back.
Adapted Roles
And then came the adaptation process that JJ oh so cleverly created in his mind. SLB did not have a proper left-back and now that Emerson and Capdevila had left SLB there were players like Luisinho, Lionel Carole and a young Luis Martins who could fill in that role but did not fall into JJ's plans. JJ took ex- Pacos De Ferreira striker Lorenzo Melgarejo who scored 10 goals last season and decided to make him SLB new adapted LB. Although, we all frowned upon this idea it looks as though Melgarejo has been working out just fine as this year's LB. I must admit he did look shaky against Braga on the season opener but no one could of possibly been worse off playing as a left-back position then Emerson. So when you have the worse possible person playing in that role you have no choice but to take a chance on somebody else. Hell I would of made Mika into a LB. It is fair to say that Melga is SLB LB for the year.I highly doubt SLB will acquire a new LB in the January transfer window. Although I would love to see Coentrão not only come back but take a pay cut to play for his boyhood team. Highly doubtful.
Who can forget Enzo Pérez in the pre-season he scored 2 goals in the Eusebio cup defeating a not so strong Real Madrid (That pussy Ronaldo was scared to enter the Luz). On week 2 he contributed 1 goal to the 5-0 win against Vitoria Setubal. Although he is a midfielder, Enzo can play the wing but with Salvio, Gaitan, John, and Nolito playing on the wing how do you utilize Enzo. Aimar has not played much this season and although Aimar is a 10 ( attacking midfielder / playmaker) I feel Enzo is more of a 8 (Central midfielder) but not a 6 (tall defender) ideally he is a 7 (attacking mid/winger) but this season JJ has played him as a 10 during Aimar's absence.
Elections
2012 was a year in which Benfica entered in elections. To date Benfica has had a total of 33 Presidents and since the elections are determined by the paying members of the club (socios) it is common to have an election when necessary. Luis Filipe Viera has been President since Halloween 2003. He recalimed his position on December 7, 2012 after defeating a weak opposition of Rui Rangel. Although LFV won, there are many who do not like him and feel that he does not represent the club well. The fact is that he has done a lot more for this club then his previous predisetors. He introduced Benfica TV which has been a success. No longer can SLB be ashamed of their youth system because with the recent success of players like Miguel Vitor, Luis Martins, Leandro Pimenta and Miguel Rosa, SLB fans don't have to say "Sporting has a great youth system." After winning the Presidential elections, LFV told the SLB supporters that he has a surprise for us in the new year. I wonder what he means? I'm hoping it's for SLB to become the 2012/13 Champions of Portugal.
2012/13 Season Thusfar
Benfica will enter 2013 as the first place team in the Liga Zon Sagres. With 12 games played the team is undefeated with 10 wins, 2 draws 24 goals and a total of 32 points. Benfica tied their first game of the season against Braga 2-2 (Porto, and Sporting tied their matches on match day 1) They also managed to win the Lisbon derby in Alvalade 3-1 a day in which would be remembered by Benfica fans as the day that Cardozo scored a hat-trick and surpassing the 100 goal mark in his career at Benfica. Cardozo is currently the top goal scorer in the Liga with 12 goals.
Although they have one game at hand, FC Porto (without Hulk) will be no walk in the park. James Rodriguez and Jackson Martinez have been on a tear this season and on week 14 Benfica will host FC Porto at Luz. I agree with the idea that this year's title will be decided from both of these games at the Luz and at the Dragão. Both teams do not want to give up points that easily and let's not forget last season in which Benfica began giving up points in the new year due to fatigue and a dreadful month of February. (see previous blog)
I will throw this out there, as a fan I feel that this has been a successful season thusfar. Although Benfica failed to get out of the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, they are still the best team in Portugal and have Taça da Liga and Taça de Portugal to compete for. Although, SLB won the Taça de Liga last year, the Taça de Portugal is still an important trophy that must not be ignored. This is a cup that they have not won since the 2003/04 season (2-1 against Porto :)
In regards to being in the UEFA Europa Cup or Europa League (whatever it is called) it is still a competition that they should try to shine a light on. Go in with no expectations, play some un-utilized players (or give the B squad a chance) and hope for the best.
Notebale Mentions
The Benfica B team who plays in the Liga Da Honra has had an exceptional year. They are currently in fourth place and although the B teams cannot be promoted to first division in Portugal, there are some great talents on this team.
Players like André Almeida, Andre Gomes, Luis Martins, Sidnei have all played games for the main squad. Many can argue that SLB B captain Miguel Rosa is ready for a chance to play on the A team. He has proven himself to be a worthy player throughout the season with 10 goals this season alone and notable "Player of the week" awards in the Liga and will be a great addition to the A team once his opportunity comes.
19 year old winger Ivan Cavaleiro has 8 goals with the B team and has 5 goals with the Portugal U20 team. Also look out for 18 year old defender João Cancelo although still young he may very well likely take over the spot of Maxi in the distant future.
2013?
With the upcoming January transfer window lurking upon us, there is no doubt that changes will be made at SLB. I covered a few tranfer rumours a while back (See the "Should I stay or Should I go?" blog) most recently we have heard the following:
Ezequiel Garay to Manchester United?
Bruno Cesar to Marseille?
There are so many rumours on a daily basis that one can't keep up. Change is inevitable especially if big money is being offered for these players. For Benfica to continue to have a succesful campaign they cannot get rid of Garay without a back-up plan. He is such a valuable player and plays so well alongside Luisão. It does not surprise me that Manchester United would fancy such a player.
In terms of the rumours of players arriving to Benfica, most of them are from South America and to be honest I don't follow these leagues nor do I know who Ricardo Centurion, or Luis Farina are but
in the past we have seen many South American players arrive in Portugal on the cheap and be sold for greater amounts of profits. This is a theme in which we have witnessed teams in Portugal do in the past. It is what pays the bills. For example; Angel Di Maria was sold 3 times over to Real Madrid what the inicial price was. However, let's also remember such players as Jara, Shaffer, and Sepsi who did not work out.
The Final Word
SLB cannot afford to lose a third consecutive season to FC Porto. Winning the league will not be good enough for the expectations of the fans. (especially on a year in which LFV was re-elected President) For this team to continue to have a succesful season they must not only give the fans a league title but either a league cup or Portugal cup. A decent run in the Europa League is not a must but would be a bonus. If Benfica fail to reach these goals we can very well see a new coach by next season.
On A Personal Note
I would like to thank all of the following people over 2012:
- All of my followers on Twitter
- Anyone who has read my blog
- Anyone who gives me the time of day to talk Benfica
- Talking To Da Doll (anytime, and thank you)
- Eat More Bacalhau
- Carrie
- Stephonay
- Nelson
- Kinder Surprise
- Steve
- Pedro
- Roxthestache
- Portugoal.net
- PlanetBenfica.co.uk
- My wife (Thanks)
- Anyone that I forgot (Im sorry)
Happy 2013 to all and ...
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