Benfica-Alverca: Eagle in pursuit doesn't want to get involved in bullfights

O Alverca visits the Stadium of Light to face Benfica, at one of the meetings that closes the 10th day of the I League this Monday. The eagles want to continue the good time, but the truth is that Alverca also wants to score again, after two consecutive defeats.

However, the Ribatejana task is going to be very complicated, since the set led by Marco Silva goes in a series of five consecutive victories and will not, certainly, want to stick around, while chasing the FC Porto championship leader.

In addition, Benfica wants to be back in the second isolated place of the qualifying table, after having seen Sporting win in Rio Maior and the margin descend to just one point.

Still, Alverca will not go to the Stadium of Light to walk, since it wants to get closer to the places that can give European qualification for the next season, while cementing a post in the top half of the ranking.

The history between the two teams is that it is very unbalanced, since Benfica has 10 wins in 14 meetings and only three losses, with a tie in between. The last time the incarnates lost points in this duel was precisely in the Stadium of Light, with Alverca winning by 0-2 in May 2001, having lost the six games from then on.

Even so, the truth is that the most recent encounters last season, both the triumphs of Benfica were achieved with a minimum margin and with a final result of 2-1 favoring eagles.

The Benfica-Alverca has initial whistle scheduled for 8:15 p.m. (Hour of Continental Portugal) of Monday, and will be judged by Bruno Pires Costa, of the Association of Viana do Castelo Football, which will have as assistants Nelson Pereira and João Morte, as fourth referee José Carlos Rodrigues, as VAR Luís Ferreira and as AVAR João Bessa Silva.

Coaches in direct speech

Marco Silva

What you ask of the squad: “ Above all, what we've been as a team. It is obvious that good shows help us to be stronger and to win games, being true to our identity. There is always an opponent ahead of us, who sometimes complicates the task. What is non-negotiable are the features that we have had as a team, both in preparation and in the field, to be the team that we have been, like ourselves, improving some aspects that are the best, which are fundamental for us to have control of the game with and without ball”.

Improvements in defense: “ It is obvious that we cannot change individual characteristics of many players in such a short time, some with little time to work. Above all, there are collective and positioning issues that are our job. Sometimes it will have to be almost passive, without taking too much energy from the players. We practically do not have clean weeks to work with intensity, and times to work moments we want to have.”.

Alverca Dangers: “It’s a team that has difficulties. Even in the games they were defeated, it is a team that has, in some position, very young but very irreverent players, with technical quality. It's a team that plays in a row of three with very deep back and sides, and then closes at five. It is a team that has principles with ball, and, due to that same irreverence of the midfield forward, it ends up giving the game unpredictability and create some problems to the opponents. He's a tough opponent. We do not look at the table”.

Sergio Ferreira

That Alverca in the Stadium of Light: “ We know who we are and who we're playing. We've prepared the game with some strategic care. We're not giving up our idea, but we want to be consistent and keep the belief that we want to do things collectively. This game is another opportunity to grow”.

Steven Baseya and André Vidigal punished: “ We believe in everyone and whoever enters will be prepared for these moments. We need to be an extremely consistent team to defend. We will not escape our game pattern, but we must recognize that on the other hand we have a very competent and capable Benfica, who can change the game from one moment to the next”.

Diogo Spencer meets Benfica: “ This season has played to the left and right because we recognize it and have been able to respond. It has to be focused on training and gambling to be able to answer affirmatively at a higher level than Alverca. I believe that this game can touch you at a more personal level, but it is a great professional, it is identified with the process and trusted with what we have asked of you on an individual level”.

Last results

Benfica: V-V-V-V

AlvercaD-D-V-V-V

Last elevens

Benfica: Anatoliy Trubin, Samuel Dahl, Clément Lenglet, Alessandro Circati, Souffian El Karouani, Claudio Echeverri, João Palhinha, Dodi Lukebakio, Georgiy Sudakov, Andreas Schjelderup, Jhon Durán.

Alverca: Matheus Mendes, Steven Baseya, Sergi Gómez, Isaac James, Diogo Spencer, Rayan Lucas, Davy Gui, Francisco Chissumba, Chiquinho, Dawda Camara, Figueiredo.

Absence

Benfica: Leandro Barreiro, Enzo Barrenechea, Jaden Udeh (damaged) and Daniel Banjaqui (in doubt).

Alverca: Steven Baseya and André Vidigal (suspended), Bastien Meupiyou (in doubt) and Sabit Abdulai (injured).