Santa Clara vs. Benfica: A Crucial Clash in the Portuguese Liga
Benfica travels to the Azores to face Santa Clara in a pivotal match of the 22nd round of the Portuguese Liga. The Águias (Eagles) are looking to maintain their momentum, but face challenges with key players sidelined due to injury and fatigue. This preview dives into the latest team news, predicted lineups, and what fans can expect from this exciting encounter.
Injury Concerns Mount for Benfica
Benfica coach Roger Schmidt faces a selection headache as he navigates a growing injury list. Midfielder Fredrik Aursnes suffered a muscular injury during training on Thursday, ruling him out of the Santa Clara match. This adds to the existing absence of defender Jurasek and the continued recovery of Dedic from competitive fatigue. Mourinho (Schmidt) has already shown a willingness to rotate the squad, and these injuries will undoubtedly force further changes to the starting eleven.
Predicted Benfica Lineup vs. Santa Clara
With Aursnes unavailable and Dedic still regaining fitness, Schmidt is expected to reshuffle the midfield and defense. A key question revolves around who will play in the attacking midfield role behind Vangelis Pavlidis. Here’s a possible lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Anatoliy Trubin
- Defense: João Mário, António Silva, Nicolás Otamendi, David Jurasek
- Midfield: João Neves, Orkun Kökçü, Rafa Silva
- Attack: Diogo Mata, Vangelis Pavlidis, Arthur Cabral
The selection of Rafa Silva is particularly interesting, as his creativity and ability to unlock defenses will be crucial against a potentially compact Santa Clara side. The partnership between Pavlidis and Cabral up front will also be vital for Benfica’s goal-scoring threat.
Santa Clara’s Form and Tactics
Santa Clara, currently battling to avoid relegation, will be a tough opponent on their home turf. They are known for their organized defense and willingness to exploit counter-attacking opportunities. Benfica will need to be patient and avoid making costly mistakes in possession. You can find more information about Santa Clara’s recent performance on Liga Portugal’s official website.
Key Battles to Watch
- Vangelis Pavlidis vs. Santa Clara’s Center-Backs: Pavlidis’s movement and finishing ability will be tested by Santa Clara’s defensive pairing.
- João Neves vs. Santa Clara’s Midfield: Neves’s energy and tackling will be crucial in winning the midfield battle.
- Rafa Silva vs. Santa Clara’s Full-Backs: Silva’s dribbling and creativity could unlock Santa Clara’s defense.
This match promises to be a captivating encounter between two teams with contrasting objectives. Benfica will be aiming to secure three points and maintain their title challenge, while Santa Clara will be desperate to earn a vital victory in their fight for survival.
Source: Sportal.pt
