Two derbies in five days and many other decisions. In the first derby and in the first decision, Sporting came out on top, qualifying for their 30th Portuguese Cup final, after a draw at Luz (2-2) with Benfica in the second leg of the semi-finals, winning the “ lions” the triumph a month ago in Alvalade (2-1). Sporting had the lead twice and allowed a draw twice, but managed to hold out until the end, now waiting for the outcome of the other semi-final between V. Guimarães and FC Porto to find out who their opponent will be on May 26th at Jamor .
Everything that was said about Roger Schmidt’s Benfica? Who plays for individualities? What do you let go of when you lose the ball? And everything that has been said about Rúben Amorim’s Sporting? Accurate strategic planning? Ease of pressure release? This was nothing like what was seen at the beginning of the third derby of the time. Motivated by the urgency of recovering from a disadvantage, the “reds” were aggressive in recovering the ball – Aursnes above all, but even Di María collaborated. The “lions” were not prepared for this.
After a few minutes in which the game was divided, and Hjulmand even came close to the goal, with a header that went over the top, Benfica went into suffocating mode, without letting Sporting build freely from behind – and Tengstedt, called As a starter, he was important in this pressure, often falling on top of Diomande, who had a lot of difficulties with the ball at his feet. Sporting couldn’t have a presence in the final third and Benfica couldn’t get out of there.
At 9′, Di Maria left it to Rafa, who, facing Israel, shot wide. At 16′, the Argentine created again for his teammates to fail – Tengstedt had one left and hit the post. At 18′, Rafa advanced from the right and had space for the cross, but Diomande prevented the ball from reaching a “red” shirt. And, soon after, Aursnes had space to cross and sent the ball towards Di Maria, but Israel made their first great save of the night.
Sporting’s only response came from a shot by Trincão, weak and without any major problems for Trubin. The game was one-way and Schmidt had no reason to move when everything was going well – the only thing missing were the goals. Amorim, on the other hand, would have to rethink his strategy for the second half. When the “lions” returned to the locker room, three players were left to warm up, those who would enter as soon as the game resumed – Matheus, St. Juste and Geny took the places of Nuno Santos, Diomande and Esgaio.
The first minute of the second half indicated a significant improvement for Sporting in the game and a drop in Benfica’s intensity. Launched from the right, Geny created problems for Aursnes and had a dangerous shot. In the next minute, Benfica defended again with just a few and conceded the goal. Launched from the right, Gyökeres held the ball and saw Hjulmand’s positioning well. It is already known that the Dane likes to shoot and knows how to do it, and, from outside the area, he did not hesitate, leaving Sporting in control of the game and more comfortable in the tie. And Amorim is satisfied with himself for the choices he made.
But Benfica’s reaction was quick. From the right, Neres perfectly timed the cross to catch Otamendi’s clearance, who equalized. Would it be the spark that would launch Benfica to turn around the tie? No. The “reds” once again failed due to their lack of aggression on this return to the field and, at 55′, they suffered again. Geny once again had space on the right and, this time, advanced to shoot. Trubin defended forward and the ball went to Paulinho, who just had to push. Merit in the positioning of the “Leonine” striker, but a big flaw from the Ukrainian goalkeeper.
Benfica still had more to give, but not enough. Right after Paulinho’s goal, Rafa managed to equalize the game, after a well-measured cross from Bah (one of the best on the field), and the “reds” tried to lay siege, with less and less discernment as the minutes went by. passing. And the “lions”, contrary to what had happened in other derbies, managed to resist in the end. As a prize, they will have a cup final to play. And the emotional upswing for Saturday’s game, which could clarify (or not) the championship’s accounts.
