Lage shakes up Benfica lineup against Santa Clara
It was a night of decisions at the Estádio da Luz, and all eyes were on Bruno Lage as Benfica prepared to face Santa Clara. The coach chose to revisit some of his old tactical ideas, making adjustments that immediately sparked discussion among fans and commentators. Instead of keeping to recent lineups, he decided to trust a familiar system and reshaped the starting eleven in a way that showed both courage and pragmatism.
The most striking change was in defense. Tomás Araújo stepped into the lineup, replacing Dedic, and was placed alongside Nicolás Otamendi and António Silva. What made this especially notable was that Otamendi, fresh off a grueling international match with Argentina in Ecuador just 72 hours earlier, was still selected to start. The decision reflected confidence in his experience and leadership, even if fatigue might have been a concern. Lage’s choice underlined how important stability at the back was considered for this particular encounter.
Also Read:- Lily James Shines in Hulu’s Bumble Biopic “Swiped”
- Sengun vs Giannis Set for EuroBasket Semi-Final Showdown
In terms of system, Benfica shifted back into a 4-4-2 formation, a setup that had often brought balance in the past. This meant Franjo Ivanovic returned to the attack, joining Pavlidis up front. Ivanovic took the spot of Leandro Barreiro, who had been part of the eleven in the previous outing against Alverca. The change was seen as a way to add more presence inside the box, especially against a Santa Clara side known for resilience.
Between the posts, the switch was also significant. Trubin reclaimed his place as starting goalkeeper, pushing Samuel Soares back to the bench. This adjustment had been anticipated after Lage’s comments earlier in the week, but it still carried weight. Having Trubin in goal was expected to bring reassurance to the defensive unit. Meanwhile, Sudakov, despite his quality, began the match on the bench, which hinted at tactical restraint rather than any lack of form.
So, the Benfica lineup was announced as: Trubin; Tomás Araújo, Otamendi, António Silva, Dahl; Aursnes, RÃos, Barrenechea, Schjelderup; Pavlidis and Ivanovic. It was a blend of youth and experience, discipline and creativity, and above all, a clear sign that Lage wanted control in every sector of the field.
On the other side, Vasco Matos, guiding Santa Clara, kept his hand steady. No changes were made compared to their last match, a narrow but confident 1-0 victory over Estoril. The Azorean team lined up with Gabriel Batista in goal, supported by a solid back line of MT, Ven'sncio, and Sidney Lima. In midfield, Lucas Soares, Adriano Firmino, Serginho, and PV were trusted, while Brenner Lucas, Gabriel Silva, and Matheus Pereira formed the attack. This consistency was meant to give Santa Clara rhythm and trust in their collective effort.
As kickoff approached, the sense was clear: Benfica would be tested not only by their opponent but also by the decisions made on their own bench. The return to a traditional system, the use of tired but reliable veterans, and the gamble on offensive balance all set the stage for a match that was expected to be as much about strategy as it was about execution. The fans at Luz knew they were about to witness more than just a game—it was a statement about how Benfica wanted to shape their season moving forward.
Read More:
0 Comments