Trubin (goalkeeper), António Silva (right center), Otamendi (left center) and Di María (right wing); João Neves and Rafa have a right place in the eleven for the classic… it remains to be seen in which part of the eleven
Sometimes by choice, sometimes by necessity, the truth is that the Benfica team once again lost the predictability factor, due to Roger Schmidt’s volatile choices.
At a certain point, not too far away, Trubin, Aursnes, António Silva, Otamendi, Morato, João Neves, Kokçu, Di María, Rafa, João Mário and Arthur Cabral seemed to be masters of their destinies, with captive positions in Roger Schmidt’s team.
Meanwhile, Bah and David Neres recovered, Carreras was hired, and the German coach started looking for a way to fit everyone in, to fit in those on the outside, without trying to harm those on the inside. And we reached the current point.
On the eve of the classic, we can therefore say that it will not be easy for Sérgio Conceição, coach of FC Porto, to guess Benfica’s starting eleven. Nor are the positions that Roger Schmidt will give to each of his usual starters. Perhaps even the German coach of the national champions will have doubts regarding some of these issues.
Trubin, of course, will be the goalkeeper. António Silva will play as a right winger, Otamendi as a left winger, Di María will be the right winger. That’s all that can be guaranteed.
The right side of the defense can be from Bah or Aursnes, while the left can be from Morato, Aursnes or Carreras.
Aursnes scored in the derby and is versatile
João Neves, it is guaranteed, will be on the field. He will be on the right side if he plays with Kokçu or João Mário, but if Schmidt plays Florentino then the 19-year-old star will already have to move to the left side.
Rafa could once again be the striker or second striker, on the left side of the attack Neres, João Mário or even Aursnes could appear.
Then, at the front, there could be Rafa again, or there could be Arthur Cabral or even Tengstedt. Lots of questions.
