The key was on the bench

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

It was hard, but in all fairness in the face of the scoring opportunities created, it happened! It was necessary to wait 79 minutes for Benfica to open the scorer at Estádio da Luz, against Estrela da Amadora, this Saturday, August 19, in Matchday 2 of the Liga Betclic. The reds won 2-0, with goals by Tengstedt and Rafa.

Eighty-four days later, football returned to the Luz. With it also returned the Benfiquistas, who filled the stands (58 479 spectators), thirsty to see the red jerseys on the new lawn of the Cathedral. The way Ser Benfiquista was sung demonstrated the hunger for the ball with which the fans moved to the stadium. A truly fervent environment!

In relation to the 11 against Boavista, in Matchday 1, Roger Schmidt made three changes: Samuel Soares (official debut at the start) by Odysseas; João Mário by Jurásek (Aursnes played left-back); and, in absolute debut, Arthur Cabral for Musa.

Thus, Benfica entered the field with Samuel Soares, Bah, António Silva, Otamendi, Aursnes, João Neves, Kökcü, Di María, João Mário, Rafa and Arthur Cabral.

In the initial options were three players from Benfica Campus: Samuel Soares, António Silva and João Neves. 

Even with much more ball (78%), in the first 15 minutes Benfica did not hit with great danger Bruno Brígido's goal.

At 16' the eagles created the first great goal opportunity. João Mário launched Rafa who in a good position shot towards the net, but the ball was stopped by Kiolanda Gaspar. The next minute, another dangerous chance, with João Neves shooting near the post. 

With Benfica always more dangerous, in the 26' was Di María to try his luck from outside, having seen the ball miss the target.

Benfica was commanding the game, making an asphyxiating pressure, and was creating promising moves, one after another.

Arthur Cabral (32'), exemplarily served byKökcü, entered the area, shot the ball, but saw Rúben Brígido deny him the goal. Shortly after, at 33', it wasJoão Mário’s turn to be centimeters away from a stunning goal.

At 41', Di María took an opponent out of the away and shot with a goal stamp, but once again, Bruno Brígido, with an excellent stretch, avoided celebrations. 

The halftime came with the sensation that Benfica could already be in the lead, such was the dominance, and with a total of 13 attempts.

At 60', Kökcü, at the entrance of the area, shot with great danger, watching the ball deflect in an opposing defender and miss the target. Bruno Brígido was completely beaten. 

In order to shake up the game, at 69', Roger Schmidt launched David Neres, replacing João Mário. The Brazilian international entered strong and, in four minutes, drilled twice to the right and served in the area. On the second occasion, the ball, cushioned by Rafa, was left for Kökcü, who shot for Bruno Brígido’s new great save. 

In the 78th minute, Roger Schmidt changed the team again and replaced Arthur Cabral by Tengstedt.

The Danish striker was only for a minute on the pitch, had not yet touched the ball, and when he did it for the first time, he put it in the back of the net. (79').

David Neres' great move from the left, piercing the area inside and serving Tengstedt. In the stands the explosion of joy was huge. (1-0). 

The same two players built the 2-0. The Brazilian received from Kökcü, worked well near the area, took Omorwa out of play and handed to Rafa, who, only with Bruno Brígido ahead, did not waste and shot without a chance (2-0, at 90'+3'). 

On Saturday, August 26, the red team moves to Barcelos, where they will face Gil Vicente, at 8:30, in Matchday 3 of the Liga Betclic.