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In a match where Benfica hoped to continue their winning momentum, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Moreirense at Moreira de Cónegos. The Eagles struggled to find their rhythm, with Marcos Leonardo salvaging a point for the visitors from the penalty spot after an own goal involving António Silva gave the hosts the lead.
Before the match, Benfica fans saw this fixture as an opportunity for their team to solidify their recent improvement, buoyed by two consecutive victories. However, the problems for Roger Schmidt’s side extend far beyond morale, with their lackluster performance highlighting deeper issues in their gameplay.
Benfica’s lack of cohesive play was evident, with the team struggling to create meaningful associations on the pitch. Despite showing some early energy in both halves, it was clear that these efforts were insufficient to convince the spectators, leaving a sense of frustration among the fans.
The game turned in the 57th minute when Ofori’s shot was deflected by António Silva, putting Moreirense ahead. The deflection seemed like poetic justice for Benfica’s poor display, while Moreirense, despite their lead, also didn’t show enough to deserve a win. Marcos Leonardo’s penalty in the 73rd minute restored parity, but it was a point that did little to mask Benfica’s ongoing struggles.
Debate Over Midfield Pairing
The match saw António Silva in action twice, first called up by Roberto Martínez for national duty and then by Schmidt, making him a notable inclusion in the starting lineup. While Ángel Di María’s presence in the lineup was expected due to Fredrik Aursnes’ injury, the spotlight was on the midfield pairing of Florentino Luís and Barreiro, which once again proved to be a topic of debate.
In the opening minutes, Benfica showed some promise, pushing forward against Moreirense. However, technical errors and repeated mispasses led to frequent counterattacks that threatened Trubin’s goal. For every Benfica attack, Moreirense responded by exploiting these mistakes, highlighting the fragility of Benfica’s midfield.
Florentino and Barreiro’s similarity in playstyle was evident, with both players often positioning themselves in parallel, making it difficult for Benfica to create effective combinations. As the first half wore on, the team’s lack of creativity became apparent, with the final 15 minutes of the half offering little in the way of quality, prompting a necessary change in midfield.
Renato Sanches Provides a Spark
The disallowed goal for Moreirense served as a wake-up call for Benfica, and Schmidt responded by introducing Renato Sanches at halftime. Sanches brought much-needed dynamism to Benfica’s play, delivering accurate passes and occasionally breaking through the opposition’s lines. This improvement gave Benfica a brief period where they looked capable of winning the game, but poor finishing and disjointed teamwork ultimately kept the scoreline at 0-0.
Pavlidis’ performance highlighted Benfica’s struggles, as the forward found himself isolated and far from goal due to the team’s lack of synchronization. The promise shown in pre-season now seemed like a distant memory, raising questions about Schmidt’s tactics and the impact of recent transfer market activity.
Despite the early second-half resurgence, Benfica’s play soon regressed, becoming slow and predictable. The team’s inability to penetrate Moreirense’s defense, whether through the middle or on the flanks, underscored their lack of creativity. Even with Schmidt’s tactical changes, including the removal of Orkun Kökçü, it became clear that the problems were not just about individual performances but were more systemic.
Moreirense nearly doubled their lead from a set piece before Benfica equalized through Marcos Leonardo’s penalty. While the draw earned Benfica a point, the overall performance left much to be desired, with their play offering little for fans to take comfort in.