By Bonface Mulyungi
SL Benfica returned to the Estádio da Luz to take on AVS this weekend with the opportunity to make up ground on rivals Sporting CP and FC Porto. These two clubs found themselves on opposite ends of the table going into Saturday’s clash. Benfica, currently third in the league, have not lost a match in the Primeira Liga this season and have won five of their last six in the competition. Meanwhile, the Vila das Aves club sat at the bottom of the table with just eight points from 22 matches. No team has conceded more goals than AVS, with João Henriques’ side allowing 54 goals already in the league.
Despite AVS’s 3-0 victory last weekend over Estoril Praia, this was a match that the Eagles were expected to command, and José Mourinho’s side did just that. It became clear early on that AVS were outmatched in this tie, with Benfica dominating the possession and chances from the opening minute onwards. Goals from Alexander Bah, Enzo Barrenechea and Rafa Silva gave the Lisbon side a comfortable lead going into the half. The second half was more of the same, and while AVS showed some steel, there was little chance of a comeback after a one-sided first half.
The win sees Benfica move to 55 points on the season, three points behind Sporting and four points behind Porto (although the Dragons do have a game in hand).
First half blitz gives Benfica commanding lead
It didn’t take long for Benfica to get going. Some cohesive build up work down the left side between Schjelderup and Pavlidis saw the ball eventually drop to the latter in the box and the striker lashed a low shot. AVS keeper Adriel did well to get down and save the attempt, but Bah was on hand to collect the rebound and thrash home his first goal of the campaign.
In the 15th minute, it was Schjelderup and Pavildis once again tormenting the AVS defenders. Some slick passing inside the box ended with a close-range shot for the Greek striker. His attempt, though, drifted just wide of the post.
The home side continued to control the possession, and in the 26th minute, that nearly led to a second. This time, it was Enzo Barrenechea blazing his shot over the goal.
Barrenechea, not known for his goalscoring ability, was undeterred, and just three minutes later, he was able to take advantage of some poor defending from a corner, unleashing a powerful left-footed shot that left Adriel with little chance. A delightful strike from the Argentine central midfielder to record his second of the campaign.
Pavlidis continues to show his quality as the game progressed. A phenomenal run from the centre circle, combined with some smart passing, saw the forward connect with a perfectly timed through ball from Schedlerup. His right-footed toe poke,though, was aimed directly at Adriel.
Rafa’s wondergoal puts Benfica three up
In the 43rd minute, a moment of magic from Rafa Silva. Regarded as a fan favourite at the club, the player, who recently returned after a stint in Turkey with Beşiktaş, pulled off a stunning goal just before the half. A low cross from Sidney Cabral found the 32-year-old just outside the six-yard box. Rafa’s first touch may not have been perfect, leaving the ball rolling around under his legs. He made up for his first touch with a brilliant improvised rabona, wrapping his right foot around to clip the ball past a crowded box and into the net. A special goal from a player who made his Benfica debut nearly a decade ago.
The visitors were completely outplayed in the opening 45 minutes. There were few positives to take from their first half performance. Babatunde Akinsola did his best to try and penetrate down the right wing, but aside from a few dangerous runs from the Nigerian, AVS hardly troubled Benfica’s back four.
Benfica continue to pepper AVS goal in second half
AVS, shell-shocked in the opening half, came out with a more positive approach in the second. Henriques started to push bodies forward and even brought on Óscar Perea and Tiago Galletto as he looked to inject some energy into his team.
Benfica still maintained the majority of the possession and were quick to fill any gaps on the pitch. Barrenechea and Ríos controlled the midfield while the constant threat of Schjelderup and Cabral down the wings ensured AVS’ defenders could not step too far out of line.
In the 63rd minute, a perfectly weighted cross nearly found Ríos for Benfica’s fourth. In the 67th minute, it was Cabral with the near miss when his shot bounced off the post. Pavlidis was inches away from his first of the match in the 70th after collecting the ball, turning, and striking a low shot that was deflected just wide. In the 77th minute, a rocket from Antonio Silva sailed just over the bar.
