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Newcastle Vs Benfica: Benfica Team Portfolio
14 Plays8 days ago
Michael deep dives into Newcastle United's next Champions League opposition, the Portuguese giants Benfica, under new manager Jose Mourinho, what can the Magpies expect from their opposition? Find out here!
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Transcript
Introduction to the Daily Soccer Podcast
00:00:05
Speaker
your daily soccer podcast with the Global Sports Podcast Network.
Newcastle United vs Benfica Preview
00:00:14
Speaker
Newcastle United are inviting one of Portugal's best from the Estadio da Luiz, yes the true stadium of light, to St. James's Park. That club is of course Benfica, they're club steeped in history, the stadium is famous for the atmosphere just like St. James's Park and they are an opponent that knows to howl call how to cause problems in Europe.
00:00:36
Speaker
They're not as glamorous as maybe a PSG or a Barcelona, but they're definitely the next best thing and underestimate them at your peril. After all, they put fall past Atletico Madrid and Barcelona at this stage last season, although that was on their home turf.
00:00:53
Speaker
The scary thing for Newcastle in that regards, though, is that nine of Benfica's 13 points in the league stage last season came on the road. but they had a different manager.
Benfica's New Leadership: Jose Mourinho
00:01:05
Speaker
Now, for those of you that saw the Barcelona preview, this was recorded at exactly the same time, or at least the first version of this was. The first version included Florentino Luiz, who since low went on loan to Burnley, and I thought, okay, we'll do this again.
00:01:20
Speaker
And then they recently sacked manager Bruno Large after losing 3-2 in the first Champions League fixture, to Carabaug. So now they've brought in, it's not a shiny new manager, it's a veteran who is arguably one of the biggest names in football and that is Jose Mourinho.
Benfica's Historical European Presence
00:01:42
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So today I'm going to try to break down what this Benfica side is going to look like, how they're going to play, who their key players are and how Newcastle can get the result they need from the Portuguese side.
00:01:54
Speaker
Two clubs will face off on October the 21st But first, let's go into a bit of context into the game. So Benfica are one of the true giants of Portuguese football.
00:02:06
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Alongside Porto and Sporting Lisbon, they dominate the Premier League and in recent years they've built a reputation in Europe for being more than just group stage participants.
00:02:17
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They regularly make it through the knockouts and they've done so with a mix of academy talent and some brilliant sign-ins. They've also got a rich European history, two-time European Cup winners in the 1960s, and countless deep runs ever since.
Tactical Expectations: Newcastle vs Benfica
00:02:31
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For Newcastle, this is a proper test against a seasoned continental club who are realistically at the level in Europe Newcastle United will want to be.
00:02:43
Speaker
They are a brilliant club. They're a different beast at home than what they are away. That has to be said. However, in seven games against Portuguese opposition, Newcastle United have never lost at St. James' Park.
00:02:57
Speaker
Is that a good omen? Or is it just another fact soon to become fiction?
00:03:04
Speaker
So tactically, Benfica are known for being a ah very modern team under Bruno Lages, but that isn't the case anymore. Jose Mourinho has joined the club, and honestly,
00:03:17
Speaker
It's hard to say exactly how they're going to play because they're going to be a different opposition in the league to what they're going to be in the Champions League. And with that in mind, Newcastle and Benfica both have another Champions League game before they actually face off against each other. So maybe we'll see exactly how Benfica are going to fare when they play away at Chelsea.
00:03:37
Speaker
It will be a similar sort of game, but Newcastle United and Chelsea have very different play styles. So... Who knows how that's actually going to go. um But typically the lineup in the 4-2-3-1, it was more of a 4-2-2-2 in Jose Mourinho's first game, but it does look more likely that it'll be the 4-2-3-1.
00:04:00
Speaker
um you know it's It's one of those where, realistically, Jose Mourinho has a set way of playing. He's diverted away from it at Fenerbahce.
00:04:12
Speaker
I think Jose Mourinho has even said he regrets pretty much everything from his spell at Fenerbahce. I think he'll go back to the tried and tested methods against English opposition that's worked out so well for him at Chelsea, Man United and even Tottenham.
00:04:27
Speaker
Yes, he did get to a final at Tottenham, but he got sacked just beforehand. And to be honest, they're doing a lot better than what they were doing now. So that has to be said, Mourinho did well at all three clubs. um But one element of Mourinho's play, which is deemed as slightly outdated in the modern day, that matches Benfica perfectly is the love of quick transitions.
00:04:47
Speaker
That style under Bruno Lodge was aggressive. It was built on intensity and width. Mourinho will make them a lot less aggressive, but you can guarantee when they get the ball, they'll look to move very quickly from back to front.
Players to Watch: Silva and Arunas
00:05:01
Speaker
They'll remain direct. They're still one of the best in Europe at developing players, and that is never going to change. I see a weakness in their team, and that is Ukrainian goalkeeper Antonio Trubin, who is a strong shot stopper, it has to be said, but is very prone to making mistakes. If you keep them busy, you'll make one, and that's a great way to get in front against a tough team like Benfica, particularly under Jose Mourinho, who will make them difficult to score against.
00:05:30
Speaker
But if we talk about key personnel, Benfica are famous for constantly evolving, selling their big names and then producing new ones at the flick of a finger.
00:05:41
Speaker
um But here are a few players that Newcastle United might be a little worried about going into the game. Antonio Silva in defence, the young centre-back. Most people will already know about him. He's one of the highest-rated defenders in Europe.
00:05:56
Speaker
Very young, has the potential to be one of the best. He had a huge price tag in the summer. It was a surprise he didn't move on from Portuguese football, actually. um And I think he'll be one of the players that Jose Mourinho really focuses on to be one of the best in the world. Let's be honest, not many centre-backs regress under Jose Mourinho. So...
00:06:16
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Antonio Silva, definitely one to watch. The battle between him and Nick Vultimata is going to be fascinating because Silva likes to stop players getting a number of touches on the ball. He presses them quite quickly um and he's quite dominant the air.
00:06:30
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He doesn't like strikers having another ah lot of time on the ball at all. And Nick Vultimata, from what we've seen of him at Newcastle, is very much the kind of striker that it's one touch, pass out wide. He's a one-touch kind of player.
00:06:42
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He's not going to take four or five touches and then have a shot. He wants to do things so quick and he wants to get them done immediately. So it's going to be who's more alert between Silva and Volta Mata that wins that battle.
Tactical Battle and Key Match Areas
00:06:54
Speaker
And then in midfield, maybe one of the players that I've picked out a player that isn't going to be too flashy, but one that I think Jose Mourinho will grow to love in his first month at Benfica, and that is Frederic Arunas. He gives them such a bite and control in the midfield. of the park midfield He sometimes plays right back.
00:07:18
Speaker
He sometimes plays in centre midfield, bit like Moises Aissedo for Chelsea. um But he's one of those players, he's quick, he's versatile, he's got a good passing range, pretty much everything that Jose Mourinho is going to want from his midfield.
00:07:33
Speaker
And then there's a new signing who I think it will be a bit more of a bruiser. um He's a bit like a mix between Bruno Gommades and Joe Linton. um Richard Rios, who they've signed from South America,
00:07:47
Speaker
in the in the summer. He's got a good passing range. He's aggressive on the ball. And it'll be one of those. that Those two is a midfield battle. If they're the two that do end up being chosen, obviously a lot can change under Jose Mourinho.
00:07:59
Speaker
But they'll be a big threat to Tenale, Guamaraes and Joe Linton. And then up front, If you're a fan of England or international football, you'll probably recognise the name Vangelidis Pavlodevis.
00:08:14
Speaker
um I've butchered that. It's Vangelidis Pavlodevis. um After his excellent performances for Greece against the Three Lions, there isn't one particular superstar in this Benfica team, but...
00:08:28
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The Greeks scored 30 goals in 57 games last season, including seven in six Champions League games. And that included a hat-trick against Barcelona, who Newcastle know fine well just how good Barcelona are.
00:08:41
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um But if he isn't enough, they always have someone ready to step up. They don't rely on one particular superstar. They're a machine based on balance, teamwork. And with Mourinho... hard work so how will benfica line up against and how will their style clash against newcastle's you know they are going to press marino isn't a dinosaur like most people say they will press newcastle on the ball where appropriate they'll look to disrupt our build-up uh they will sit back a little bit but they'll look to pounce on any mistakes
00:09:12
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When no Mourinho doesn't care for possession stats, all he cares about is points. um So we think they'll probably sit back a little bit um throughout the game, allow Newcastle to have more of the ball. And it's going to be where we see if Newcastle can break down a top quality side.
00:09:29
Speaker
We are comfortable playing a bit more direct if needed, um particularly with Nick Vultemar and Dan Byrne. It could be a real midfield battle if we're drawn into it, because if Benfica, after the first game, which has been a defeat, they look at their upcoming fixtures and go, right, we need to get wins on the board.
00:09:52
Speaker
they're going to need to dominate the midfield against Newcastle United. When Newcastle can't play through that midfield with Tonali, Bruno Gormárez and Joe Linton, we do tend to struggle. um We are a stronger side. We're a more physical side um if that direct if the direct style play does end up being influenced.
00:10:11
Speaker
yeah Look at the game against Liverpool with 10 men. We were the better team. um and then That was before we had our new big striker. think the only thing for Newcastle is going to be the real lack of goals.
00:10:22
Speaker
We struggled to score. That's one thing Benfica certainly don't struggle with. um And no matter who Jose Mourinho hones in on, there is always a player that's ah settled at a club who he ends up deciding shouldn't be there.
00:10:36
Speaker
um So it's going to be one of those where if he picks that, and yeah it's we've he's been in the job, I think, a week as we're recording this. So we're not going to know who that is yet. We might not even know by the time Newcastle play Benfica. But...
00:10:49
Speaker
There are all going to be some changes that we don't quite predict, and it could make a real tough game for Newcastle. and But, yeah, in the wide areas, I think Benfica's wingers against Livermanto and Hall, if they do decide to play them, it'll probably be more wing-backs, and the wing-backs will be Demich and Dahl.
00:11:09
Speaker
um Two new full-backs sort of in the roles. They'll be up against Gordon and Alanga. ah Pace and transitions with between those will probably decide the game. I don't think Demich or Dahl are really... They're not slow.
00:11:22
Speaker
I'd say in regards to speed, they're probably around the same as Livermanto and Hall, where you sit there and they go, they're not massively pacey, but they can stop pacey wingers and they have enough about them to get forward as well.
00:11:36
Speaker
I think the wings will be what they end up deciding the game. They do like your control possession. um I imagine that will remain the same under Mourinho because the quality in the Portuguese league isn't great.
00:11:49
Speaker
So whether that transitions into the Premier League, etc., who knows? Not Premier League, Champions League. Who knows? But I think it will be one where he tries to translate it early on against the likes of Newcastle where he thinks the club could have a bit more possession.
00:12:04
Speaker
They'll slow the game down. Try and keep the crowd quiet like everyone does try to do at St. James'. um But they've certainly got the quality to unlock a defence. and They can put three together before you realise the first one's been played.
00:12:19
Speaker
And we'll have to be on high alert. They're not particularly a pacey side Benfica, but they are one that you know they're quite precise with their pass, and they do like to get up and down the wings, create a lot of space.
Benfica's Tactical Discipline and Offensive Strategy
00:12:31
Speaker
i Typically, at the Estadio de Luiz, it's a big pitch. ah They like to use the space as much as what they can. St. James' will probably try and be a little bit narrower, um which will mean that we'll have to push higher up the pitch to try and create those kind of breaks.
00:12:49
Speaker
But, I think there are a lot of intangibles as well when you you look at this kind of fixture. ah Both have unforgettable atmospheres, brilliance. Estadio de Luiz, 65,000 fans in there or whatever.
00:13:04
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St. James' Park, 52,000. But they face the best of the best, just like Barcelona. They're not going to be frightened by a hostile environment. um And it's usually the roughest teams that come to Newcastle and get the points. And I think Benfica will be one of those.
00:13:22
Speaker
Um, they'll know that they've had a fight, but I'm sure they wouldn't want it any other way. The main thing for Benfica is going to be the weight of expectation. Um, it would originally be on Newcastle.
00:13:33
Speaker
It will be if we haven't got a result against Union Saint-Groët. Um, But with Benfica's fixture list, yeah they'll have just played Chelsea. They'll still have to play Napoli, Real Madrid, Juventus, Ajax and Bayer Leverkusen.
00:13:47
Speaker
Carabao was supposed to be the banker for them and they haven't got anything from it. So they're going to really struggle to get put points on the board. Jose Mourinho might look at this one as one they need to win, ah which means we could see a more offensive Benfica outfit than we're used
Match Outcome Speculations
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to.
00:14:02
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They're no pushovers. They're tactically disciplined, physically intense and technically excellent. We do have the tools to hurt them, though. But it could be one of those where it's a really tight, tight game.
00:14:15
Speaker
If we win the midfield battle, keep it tight at the back, break with pace. Got every chance of being winning the game. But don't be surprised if a Jose Mourinho masterclass leads to Benfica leaving St. James' Park with at least a point.
00:14:29
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What do you think? Will Benfica be able to handle the Magpies next month? Or will the Magpies soar at home?
Listener Engagement and Podcast Conclusion
00:14:36
Speaker
Let me know your predictions in the comments. Smash the like button if you're buzzing for another European night. Don't forget to subscribe for more previews and breakdowns, including our full match previews of the Union St. Olaf and Arsenal games coming soon.
00:14:49
Speaker
Newcastle's European adventures are only beginning and Benfica are next on the list.
00:15:01
Speaker
Your daily soccer podcast. with the Global Sports Podcast Network.