Matchweek 3 of Liga NOS: the opponent's radiography

On Saturday at 7:00 pm, at Estádio da Luz: 112 days later, Benfica and Sporting meet again in Liga NOS. Since May 5^th, 2018, date of the last clash between the Lisbon rivals, many things have changed on the other side.

Left behind stays the process which led to the fall of the board led by Bruno de Carvalho, the departure of the coach Jorge Jesus and his substitution by José Peseiro and the controversy of the contracts’ cancellation by nine players, which three would be reverted (Bruno Fernandes, Bas Dost and Battaglia).

Meanwhile, new faces have arrived to the green squad. Experience united to youth, with an age average of 27. Emiliano Viviano (Sampdoria), Renan Ribeiro (Estoril-Praia), Marcelo (Rio Ave), Jefferson (Braga), Bruno Gaspar (Fiorentina), Matheus Pereira (Chaves), Nani (Lazio), Carlos Mané (Stuttgart), Raphinha (V. Guimarães), Jovane Cabral (Sporting B), Luc Castaignos (Vitesse) and Abdoulay Diaby (Club Brugge) are the players, among new signings and returning from loans.

But not only of arrivals is made the summer transfer market. Rui Patrício, William Carvalho, Gelson Martins, Rúben Ribeiro, Rafael Leão, Podence – left the club –, Piccini (was transferred) and Fábio Coentrão came back to Real Madrid, after a 1-year loan.

Still at an early stage of the National Championship, the team commanded by José Peseiro, just like Benfica, counts with two victories in two matches. The debut was in Moreira de Cónegos, where the lions beat Moreirense by 1-3.

With a 4x4x1x1 system – which has Bruno Fernandes on Bas Dost’s back–, José Peseiro has promoted and official debut in 2018/19: Nani.

Line-up: Salin; Ristovski, Coates, Mathieu and Jefferson; Petrovic, Battaglia and Bruno Fernandes; Nani (70’ Raphinha), Acuña (70’ Jovane Cabral) and Bas Dost.

On the second match, home, against V. Setúbal, Nani was decisive, scoring twice (2-1). The entrance of Jovane Cabral on the second half was also important, as he assisted for Nani’s second goal.

Line-up: Salin; Ristovski, Coates, Mathieu and Jefferson; Misic (59’ Jovane Cabral) and Battaglia; Nani (85’ Petrovic), Bruno Fernandes and Acuña; Bas Dost (46’ Montero).

After only two rounds, the lions have been showing that passes (completed) are a plus. An average of 322 passes per in the two first matches of Liga NOS (261,5 accurate), according the data of the Wyscout platform.

Offensively, if, in the first match, 8 of the 11 shots had the goal’s direction, in the second one, the lions fell short. In 16 shots, 12 missed the target.

Talking about the attack, the only doubt until is the situation of Bas Dost. The dutch striker – who scored 34 goals in 49 official matches last season (27 goals in Liga NOS), was the second top scorer, right behind Jonas –, is still unavailable due to an injury on the right leg.

Abdoulay Diaby is the newest signing. The forward/winger came Club Brugge and already trains in Alcochete.

The derby of the Matchweek 3 of Liga NOS takes place on Saturday, August 25, at 7:00 am, at Estádio da Luz. The tickets are available.