Match Day #2 FC Arouca vs SL Benfica

It has only been a few years n in which we first heard of this second team from the Aveiro district named FC Arouca. Within the 7 years (2006 on), FC Arouca was promoted four times and finally reached the top flight in Portuguese football in the 2012/13 season. In what the locals are calling for as the most important day in the club's history (other then their promotion) FC Arouca did the unthinkable and take over the top spot in the Liga NOS by defeating the biggest club in Portugal SL Benfica. 

WHAT WENT WRONG?

SL Benfica allowed their first and only goal earlier on in the 3' of the match as FC Arouca striker Roberto was able to get by winger Nelson Semedo and goalie Julio Cesar. Some say it was nerves, others just a bad mistake, Benfica began trailing to a primarily Benfica influenced crowd at The Estadio Municipal De Aveiro. Although the Eagles looked terrible within the first 10 minutes they began pressing on ending the half with most of the ball possession and some 15 shots on net. 

Sl Benfica continued their momentum at the start at the second  half in which we consistently saw failed attempts and finishes at set pieces, and a failure to score as FC Arouca most definetly was the man of the match stopping anything and everything that SL Benfica threw their way. 

We saw Rui Vitoria make his first sub at the start of the second as Ola John was subbed off for Victor Andrade. A decision that some felt should of occurred at the start of the game. Benfiquistas saw the debut of Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez in the 68' as he came on for Eliseu in the 68". Shortly after Benfica's final sub came in the 74' in which Samaris was taken off for our new signing Raul Jimenez. At this point Benfica had five potential forwards and also Nico Gaitan and Pizzi with Luisao, Lisandro Lopez, and Semedo covering the back line. FC Arouca had parked the bus and more importantly had a brick wall of a goal keeper that no one can surpass. 

Finally, in the 90+5" Jonas was able to equalize the game in a goal which was disallowed by referee Nuno Almeida. Many fans were outraged as there was no reasoning to the ref\s decision to disallow this goal. There was no offside or foul. FC Arouca finish week 2 of Liga NOS in first place undefeated with two consecutive shout out performances by Rafael Bracali. 

SL Benfica host Moreirense in Matchday #3 on Saturday August 29, 2015

Match Statistics

Match Highlights

Rui Vitoria Press

Matchday #1 SL Benfica vs Estoril

Benfica opened their 2015/16 season with an impressive 4-0 victory at the Luz hosting Estoril. Although this was the most impressive scoreline throughout the Liga NOS during match day #1, Benfica fans watching this match live were not sure what the end result would be as it took 74' to see the first of many goals. 

Benfica's starting line up looked like this, which if you look the previous week's line up is slightly different. Eliseu started over last week's Silvio. Pizzi and Fejsa both started in the midfield (Samaris was a sub during the Estoril game) and Mitroglu started over Talisca. We/re not sure if the Sporting line up will be the line up that Rui Vitoria will use during big matches and yesterday's line-up will be against weaker opposition. Although the season has already started, these two games are still a very early indication as to whether or not Vitoria needs to consistently alter the line up and let's not also forget with the arrival of Mexican forward Raul Jimenez from Atletico Madrid and possibly a few more arrivals to come before the end of the transfer window, there is no telling what this Benfica team will look like by mid - season let alone the end of the year. 

There were  a few disappointments to the game such players as Ola John, Pizzi and Eliseu struggled to make an impact throughout the match especially during the first half but were attacking a bit more in the second half. John for instance tried setting up plays with Nico and Jonas during the second half but was unsuccessful. Eliseu pressed up more around the 54' and still demonstrated that strong bullet of a shot that he has. 

Just like last week's Portuguese Super Cup, the referee's (who I accept their efforts and hard work) may not be able to see everything that occurs on the pitch but missed several obvious calls. If these last two weeks are any indication of what Benfica has to look forward to this season, then they will have a long season ahead of them and hopefully they can continue to produce results just like this one. (Can't the Liga hire non - Portuguese refs? I feel this would change the flow of the game and provide less controversial calls)

The game changer began in the 61' when Pizzi, and Ola John came off for Tallisca and Victor Andrade. Although Pizzi seemed absent during the game he still is a very important part of the Benfica midfield. Tallisca provides good depth and had great energy coming into the match. At the time I was skeptical of Victor Andrade being a part of the main squad as it was assumed that he would return to the B squad. Since John was playing on the wing, this was a position that Andrade can fill in as he did with a great first team debut performance. 

The goals began soaring in. In the 74" after a few missed attempts on net Mitroglu scored an astonishing header crossed in from Nico. Jonas would score his first brace of the season scoring a PK in the 78' and replicate Mitroglu's header scoring in the 81'. Mitroglu was subbed off for Guedes in the 84' and the most memorable moment of the match came in the 88' Andrade finds the back heel of Nico who sets up 18-year old Nelsinho Semedo for his first ever goal on the Benfica main squad making it a final score of 4-0. 

Benfica coach Rui Vitoria was happy with the result. In his press conference after the game he touched on several important topics with the media. He mentions how winning the first game of the season was very important because there is a long road ahead of Benfica this season. Such youth players as Nelson Semedo, and Victor Andrade are quality players and were praised after the match. Coach Vitoria says that if the players are ready to work hard and prove themselves that the door will be open for them for an opportunity on the main squad.The first shut out of the season is also a confidence builder for the team and of course for Julio. Just because Benfica won 4-0 doesn't mean that there is not work to be done. There is always room for improvement. 

When asked about Nico's departure, Rui mentioned that he is a quality player that he likes and counts on who has heart and wants to be at the club. Even though Benfica showed a great performance he emphasizes that it is a team effort and mentions how there are no stars or egos on the team.

Man Of The Match: Nelson Semedo

Noteable Mentions: Kostas Mitroglu, Nico Gaitan, Victor Andrade, Julio Cesar