sIt will be difficult to heal the open wounds between Roger Schmidt and Benfica fans, particularly the more ‘radical’ organized supporters. The coach said he would not forgive the fans who threw a bottle at him in Faro, and saw new dissatisfaction coming from the stands in Luz.
Banners addressed to the president, torches thrown onto the pitch, insulting chants against the coach, fans against fans. The first half, for those who were at Estádio da Luz, was worthy of a ‘civil war’, so common in football when the results are not the best.
However, one of the characteristics that beautify this sport is the fact that ‘all’s well that ends well’. And, after Benfica’s comeback against Sp. Braga, this Saturday, there wasn’t a single whistle. The white handkerchiefs were kept.
Sp. Braga started the match better, more relaxed, and scored the first goal of the game in the 28th minute, through Ricardo Horta. He received a late cross from Álvaro Djaló and finished strongly. The aforementioned incidents occurred shortly afterwards, which forced the game to be interrupted.
In the second half, after the entry of Álvaro Carreras, Orkun Kokçu and Marcos Leonardo, Benfica reached a draw. It was even the Brazilian, who is now the player with the most goals in the League as a substitute, who started the path to the turnaround.
The former Santos player equalized following an indirect free kick, in the 71st minute, one after having entered. In the 84th minute, David Neres scored the winning goal after a tense cross from Di María to the far post. After the ninety mark, in stoppage time, it was Marcos Leonardo’s turn to score twice in an insistent move.
Figure
Marcos Leonardo came on midway through the second half, along with Orkun Kokçu, when Benfica was still losing. The young Brazilian came on in the 70th minute and… after a minute, he scored. He only touched the ball a few times, but it was decisive.
Surprise
Álvaro Carreras came on in the 52nd minute to give width to Benfica’s left side, which was ‘trapped’ with Aursnes. The Norwegian passed to the right and the Spaniard gave more depth and width, confirming the last good performance in Faro. Asking for ownership.
Disillusionment
Victor Gomez, Sp. Braga’s right winger didn’t have the best of games, both defensively and offensively. What’s more, he ended up being sent off for a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Ángel Di María.
Coaches
Roger Schmidt: After having changed more than usual against Farense, the German once again bet on several players who have made up his base ‘team’. Schmidt’s team had a poor first half, partly due to events off the field. In the second, he was proactive in substitutions and ended up being rewarded.
Rui Duarte: Sp. Braga’s ‘interim’ coach lined up a team practically at full strength, however, leaving José Fonte, an experienced member, on the bench. He took a chance with Cher Ndour as a defensive midfielder and that bet seemed to have been won in the first half. However, the ‘patient’ behavior asked of his players seemed to have been counterproductive in the second half. Sp. Braga wasted time from the start of the game and ended up losing.
Referee
João Pinheiro he could have given Nicolás Otamendi, Benfica’s central defender, a heavier reprimand for elbowing Zalazar in the face. A yellow card would have been fine. In the case of the red card given to Victor Gomez, the direct red card is accepted, although the intensity of the stamp given to Di María is always somewhat interpretative.
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* Study by e Netsonda, Nov. and ten. 2023 product of the year – pt.com
