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Goal.com Christmas Shopping: Who Should Benfica Buy?
Goal.com's transfer special series continues with Portugal's most in-form team of the moment...
| Bet: | Returns: | Zenit £22.50 | Draw £32.00 | Benfica £29.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Zenit £24.50 | Draw £30.00 | Benfica £31.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Zenit £22.00 | Draw £32.00 | Benfica £30.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Zenit £23.00 | Draw £32.50 | Benfica £32.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Zenit £23.00 | Draw £32.00 | Benfica £28.00 |
|
Dec 26, 2009 10:20:04 AM
This season has been something of a fairytale for Benfica's supporters, who are finally seeing their team mount serious title challenges after years where the Estadio da Luz was deprived of success.
The arrival of a new coach, Jorge Jesus, brought a wave of signings, including big names like Javier Saviola, Ramires and Javi Garcia, and the former Belenenses boss has been able to put together craft a strong team, capable of displaying an attack-minded style of football that has raised eyebrows all over Europe.
The Eagles have found goals very easy to come by this season, and they share the top of the table in the Portuguese league with Sporting Braga, while they remain serious contenders for the Europa League crown after reaching the Round of 32, where they will meet Hertha Berlin.
With Benfica having proved that they have a strong group, there seems to be only a few adjustments to make half way through season, which is why the club have announced that an €18 million transfer kitty is at Jesus' disposal this winter.
Goalkeepers
Despite this success, the Eagles continue to struggle to find a good shot-stopper, which is why they have alternated between their three available pieces this season. Summer signing Julio Cesar is to Jesus' liking but his lack of experience makes this a risky choice. Moreira is clearly out of favour at the Estadio da Luz and he has been linked with the exit door at the end of the season, and while Quim has proved to be the safest bet, his advanced age and the fact that he is short make Benfica scour the market for a new number-one goalie.
Benfica have been credited with an interest in Inter Milan veteran Francesco Toldo and Genoa's Marco Amelia, but with the Portuguese giants looking for a long-term solution, it looks likely they will go for the latter should they opt to reinforce this department in the winter.
Defence
The centre of Benfica's backline combines experience (Luisao) with youth (David Luiz) with the latter attracting a horde of scouts from clubs across Europe. The Brazilian pair seem to work well together and they have brought much security to the fans. The Eagles are also equipped with a number of good alternatives for this position, as Sidnei, Miguel Vitor and Roderick Miranda are all young and capable of jumping in at any time.
And if there are no problems on the right side of the defence, as Maxi Pereira has cemented his place in the starting XI of both Benfica and Uruguay, the same cannot be said for the opposite side. Jesus is not a fan of Jose Shaffer although he had some good moments during the pre-season, and his number-one pick, Cesar Peixoto, is clearly more suitable in the midfield than at the back.
Benfica have not been linked with any particular left-back, but with the club having around €18 million to spend this transfer window if necessary, Rubin Kazan star Cristian Ansaldi could be just the right addition to this sector. The club would, however, have to quickly push for the defender as the Argentine promise is rumoured to have suitors in England and Spain.
On the other hand, Miguel Vitor has been linked with a loan move to Portsmouth in order to get more football experience as he is currently Benfica's fourth choice for the position of central defender.
Midfield
Benfica's midfield has been the subject of much praise, with three of their players reportedly attracing interest from many clubs across Europe. Following the departure of Kostas Katsouranis in the summer, many looked at the €7 m signing of Javi Garcia with suspicious eyes, but such move has certainly paid off as the young Spaniard has been a massive force in the team.
Down the wings, Angel di Maria and Ramires are Jesus' favourite picks, although the Brazilian's attributes suit him in the centre better. And Benfica's playmaker, Pablo Aimar, has rediscoreved his best form, which has earned him call-ups to the Argentina squad after a long absence, with Felipe Menezes regarded as a quality understydu at the age of just 21.
The only change that Benfica are believed to be interested in making is the signing of Flamengo's 19-year-old defensive midfielder Airton, who is regarded as a hot prospect for the future and should arrive at the Estadio da Luz as an alternative to Javi Garcia as the former Real Madrid has been linked with a big-money summer transfer.
Attack
Benfica's frontline need little retouching as Oscar Cardozo and Javier Saviola have formed a deadly partnership up front and have been heavy contributors to the Portuguese giants boasting one of the best attacks in Europe this season.
The combination of an agile, technical centre forward like Saviola and a towering striker like Cardozo has proved to be a recipe for success and Jesus will not want to change that formula. Instead, he is looking for adequate replacements for the South American pair should an injury come knocking.
In Nuno Gomes, Weldon and Keirrison, Benfica have three 'mobile' players who can fill in for Saviola but the Eagles still miss someone who can replace Cardozo with success. And with Keirrison failing to adapt to football in Europe, it would make sense for the Barcelona on-loan striker to make room for Brazil Under-20 international Alan Kardec, who has completed his switch to the Lisbon-based side.
One striker who has been linked with a loan move to Benfica is Bayern Munich's unsettled forward Luca Toni, but given the Italian's high wages it seems unlikely he will link up with the Portuguese club.
IN (3): Marco Amelia (Genoa), Cristian Ansaldi (Rubin Kazan), Airton (Flamengo)
OUT (2): Moreira, Keirrison
LOANS OUT (1): Miguel Vitor
Luís Mira, Goal.com
The arrival of a new coach, Jorge Jesus, brought a wave of signings, including big names like Javier Saviola, Ramires and Javi Garcia, and the former Belenenses boss has been able to put together craft a strong team, capable of displaying an attack-minded style of football that has raised eyebrows all over Europe.
The Eagles have found goals very easy to come by this season, and they share the top of the table in the Portuguese league with Sporting Braga, while they remain serious contenders for the Europa League crown after reaching the Round of 32, where they will meet Hertha Berlin.
With Benfica having proved that they have a strong group, there seems to be only a few adjustments to make half way through season, which is why the club have announced that an €18 million transfer kitty is at Jesus' disposal this winter.
Goalkeepers
Despite this success, the Eagles continue to struggle to find a good shot-stopper, which is why they have alternated between their three available pieces this season. Summer signing Julio Cesar is to Jesus' liking but his lack of experience makes this a risky choice. Moreira is clearly out of favour at the Estadio da Luz and he has been linked with the exit door at the end of the season, and while Quim has proved to be the safest bet, his advanced age and the fact that he is short make Benfica scour the market for a new number-one goalie.
Benfica have been credited with an interest in Inter Milan veteran Francesco Toldo and Genoa's Marco Amelia, but with the Portuguese giants looking for a long-term solution, it looks likely they will go for the latter should they opt to reinforce this department in the winter.
Defence
The centre of Benfica's backline combines experience (Luisao) with youth (David Luiz) with the latter attracting a horde of scouts from clubs across Europe. The Brazilian pair seem to work well together and they have brought much security to the fans. The Eagles are also equipped with a number of good alternatives for this position, as Sidnei, Miguel Vitor and Roderick Miranda are all young and capable of jumping in at any time.
And if there are no problems on the right side of the defence, as Maxi Pereira has cemented his place in the starting XI of both Benfica and Uruguay, the same cannot be said for the opposite side. Jesus is not a fan of Jose Shaffer although he had some good moments during the pre-season, and his number-one pick, Cesar Peixoto, is clearly more suitable in the midfield than at the back.
Benfica have not been linked with any particular left-back, but with the club having around €18 million to spend this transfer window if necessary, Rubin Kazan star Cristian Ansaldi could be just the right addition to this sector. The club would, however, have to quickly push for the defender as the Argentine promise is rumoured to have suitors in England and Spain.
On the other hand, Miguel Vitor has been linked with a loan move to Portsmouth in order to get more football experience as he is currently Benfica's fourth choice for the position of central defender.
Midfield
Benfica's midfield has been the subject of much praise, with three of their players reportedly attracing interest from many clubs across Europe. Following the departure of Kostas Katsouranis in the summer, many looked at the €7 m signing of Javi Garcia with suspicious eyes, but such move has certainly paid off as the young Spaniard has been a massive force in the team.
Down the wings, Angel di Maria and Ramires are Jesus' favourite picks, although the Brazilian's attributes suit him in the centre better. And Benfica's playmaker, Pablo Aimar, has rediscoreved his best form, which has earned him call-ups to the Argentina squad after a long absence, with Felipe Menezes regarded as a quality understydu at the age of just 21.
The only change that Benfica are believed to be interested in making is the signing of Flamengo's 19-year-old defensive midfielder Airton, who is regarded as a hot prospect for the future and should arrive at the Estadio da Luz as an alternative to Javi Garcia as the former Real Madrid has been linked with a big-money summer transfer.
Attack
Benfica's frontline need little retouching as Oscar Cardozo and Javier Saviola have formed a deadly partnership up front and have been heavy contributors to the Portuguese giants boasting one of the best attacks in Europe this season.
The combination of an agile, technical centre forward like Saviola and a towering striker like Cardozo has proved to be a recipe for success and Jesus will not want to change that formula. Instead, he is looking for adequate replacements for the South American pair should an injury come knocking.
In Nuno Gomes, Weldon and Keirrison, Benfica have three 'mobile' players who can fill in for Saviola but the Eagles still miss someone who can replace Cardozo with success. And with Keirrison failing to adapt to football in Europe, it would make sense for the Barcelona on-loan striker to make room for Brazil Under-20 international Alan Kardec, who has completed his switch to the Lisbon-based side.
One striker who has been linked with a loan move to Benfica is Bayern Munich's unsettled forward Luca Toni, but given the Italian's high wages it seems unlikely he will link up with the Portuguese club.
IN (3): Marco Amelia (Genoa), Cristian Ansaldi (Rubin Kazan), Airton (Flamengo)
OUT (2): Moreira, Keirrison
LOANS OUT (1): Miguel Vitor
Preferred Line-Up (4-4-2)
Amelia
Maxi Pereira Luisao David Luiz Ansaldi
Javi Garcia
Ramires Di Maria
Aimar
Cardozo Saviola
Amelia
Maxi Pereira Luisao David Luiz Ansaldi
Javi Garcia
Ramires Di Maria
Aimar
Cardozo Saviola
Luís Mira, Goal.com
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