He was always the most dangerous on the team. Not only did he score both goals, he also stopped the islanders’ breath when he had the ball on his left foot. Otamendi was close to perfection and even wanted to play striker
Man of the match: Di María (8)
Not everything went well for him, but he continues to make a difference. Whenever the ball was stuck to the left foot, facing the area, the islanders held their breath. In the 12th minute he put the ball over Pavlidis’ head, in the 26th minute he put the ball over Akturkoglu’s head. Missed opportunities. He opened up space in two individual plays (22′ and 45+3′) against a sea of opponents, participated in a combination (29′) with Kokçu that almost scored for Akturkoglu, shot in the move that Ulisses cut with his arm in the area, scored the penalty with as much calm as class and closed the lid on the coffin with a timely shot into the box to make it 2-0. He also collaborated in defense and in the 64th minute he avoided danger from Luís Esteves, suffering a hard foul. When he was replaced (86′), the Benfica public thanked him standing up and applauding him for his performance. More than deserved.
Trubin (6) — Without doing much work, he responded well when the ball appeared nearby, punching the danger (11′), stopping crosses (28′ and 32′) and saving a shot (47′).
Bah (7) — Much more offensive than at Aves, two of his crosses led to the penalty and the second goal. It was, as such, decisive. Little and competent defensive work.
Tomás Araújo (7) — Very safe defending. In the second half he also played midfield twice leading attacks.
Otamendi (8) — Exhibition that could be a roadmap for any plant. He won every move, from the top or from the field, in anticipation and in physical duels, whether easy or complicated. Pushed the team forward. In one of the moves he won in midfield, he went into the area to finish, but the ball didn’t reach there. In the 36th minute, after a center from Kokçu, he almost scored with a header. At 82′ a cut in the defense gave Leandro Barreiro an opportunity. And, beyond all the technical and tactical issues, he was the leader that Benfica needed to react to the draws at Aves.
Racing (5) — He didn’t have much to do in defense and didn’t have the usual positive impact on attack.
Aursnes (6) — Helped Pavlidis in the first phase of putting pressure on the opponent and gave himself to the game in the offensive moment. At 18′ he crossed low, with weight and measure, to Di María, who fumbled in the area. Always accurate and knowing what to do with the ball. It gives the idea that it is consuming the battery charge too quickly.
Florentino (5) — He lacked muscle in some midfield duels, such as in the 55th minute when he was unable to stop a Nacional counterattack. He was also not always well positioned. He also won a lot of balls, in the 73rd minute a dangerous move came from his recovery. It wasn’t a difficult game. It wasn’t brilliant or compromising.
Kokçu (7) — The game got away more than I certainly wanted, even though I was often the first man in building the attack. He likes to play further forward on the field and it was close to Nacional’s area where he was able to show his qualities more. At 29′ he invented a move, combined with Di María and offered the goal to Akturkoglu, only avoided by Lucas França. At 36′ he crossed for Otamendi to almost score. More agitated in the second half, with the desire to resolve the game, he fired a shot from outside the area at the post, without Lucas França showing any reaction.
Pavlidis (5) — Another game without scoring. In the 12th minute he even had the opportunity, responding with a good header in the center of Di María, but Lucas França saved. At 29′ he served as support in the area, receiving a pass from Kokçu and serving Akturkoglu on a plate. Little more. Yes, they were putting pressure on the opponent’s ball, but they lack goals. Clumsy at times, his dribbling wasn’t good either. He saw a yellow card for a foul on Soumaré in the 16th minute. Replaced at 72′ by Amdouni.
Akturkoglu (6) — The game almost started with a dizzying sprint from the area to the opponent’s half. He lost the ball to Appiah. The Turkish striker’s performance was made up of some unfulfilled promises. At 26′ he headed over the bar, at 29′, in a good position in the area and served by Pavlidis, he shot with his left foot at Lucas França, he should have done better, at 45+3′ he shot well into the area and placed with the right foot for a great intervention by the goalkeeper. He had the merit of being in the right place, he lacked the ability to hurt. Good clearance in the 9th minute, launching Carreras into the area.
Amdouni (6) — Came in at 72′ to play as a striker. Two minutes later he takes advantage of Gustavo Garcia’s gift to prepare the ball for Di María to score the second goal. He is not a center forward and, therefore, he retreated across the field to play the ball and found himself on diagonals. He’s always in the mood to kick.
Leandro Barreiro (6) — Came in at 80′ to play Aursnes. Two minutes later he headed a dangerous cross from Di María. The only reason it wasn’t a goal was because Lucas França deflected it onto the post. He entered with genius and gave strength to the midfield. Unnecessary foul on the edge of the area in the 84th minute.
Other (5) — He positioned himself in front of Carreras. Nine minutes on the field.
Roller lifts (—) — Entered in the 87th minute and was left inside midfielder.
Schelderup (—) — He was a right winger, he once combined with… Tomás Araújo.
