An effective Boavista in the path of the eagles

For the fourth consecutive year since Rui Vitória is the head coach, Benfica kicked of the Liga NOS on the front foot. After the triumph over V. Guimarães, by 3-2, the eagles visit the Estádio do Bessa, at 7 pm on Saturday.

The opponent, Boavista, also won in the opening match of the championship, away at Portimonense, by 0-2, fruit of goals from David Simão – Man of the Match, according to the Liga Portugal – and André Claro.

Starting his second season as the coach of Boavista, Jorge Simão received several new signings for 2018/19. In the goal, Bracali and Helton Leite are the new faces. Neris and Raphael Silva, two Brazilians, arrived for the defense; Rafael Costa and Obiora are the new signings for the midfield, while in the attack André Claro, Matheus Índio, Falcone and Rafael Lopes arrived to increase Jorge Simão's range of options.

Kick-off with four new faces in the starting XI

Against Portimonense, Boavista started the match with four new signings in the starting XI in a 4-4-2 diamond and with Helton Leite as goalkeeper; Carraça and Talocha as full-backs, Raphael Silva and Neris as centre-backs; in the midfield, Idris was the holding midfielder; David Simão played as the attacking midfielder, leaving the wing for as Rochinha and Mateus; Falcone and Fábio Espinho played up front.

The threats: counter-attack, set pieces and efficiency

Other aspects highlighted were "objectivity" and "effectiveness", a situation that is confirmed by the figures presented. According, the portal Wyscout, Boavista scored two goals in the two shots on target (100% efficiency).

In the match, the strength of Boavista in the counter-attack was also visible (two of the three counter-attacks carried out ended with shots) and in the set pieces – free kicks and corners – where the team made six shots in eight plays.

At the end of this victory final, Jorge Simão approached the encounter against Benfica: “It is an opponent with other arguments and we will have a few days to prepare ourselves.”

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: Liga Portugal