Olhanense was defeated this Saturday in Lisbon by Benfica by two to zero. With this result, the Algarvian team is in 10th position, with the condition, but risks to stay by the waterline, since all the other matches of the journey still have to play.
Benfica scored the first penalty goal, following a foul by Vasco Fernandes on Maxi Perreira. Cardozo was unforgiving and beat Bracalli on 26 minutes.
The second goal arrived in the second half, when Olhanense started better. On minute 72, Luisão headed in, after a corner.
Until the end, Olhanense could not react and Benfica still threatened to extend the result, but without succeeding.
Sérgio Conceição: «we could and should have done more»
Sérgio Conceição, coach of the Algarve, stressed that Olhanense's path in this championship “has been difficult”. "We have had many injuries and punishments, today we only had 17 available for this game."
As for this Saturday's match, Conceição, speaking to Sport TV, said: “We knew that Benfica was going to go strong and would want to score early, even for Tuesday's game. We knew that, and we knew the power of Benfica, individual and collective. When we tried to get out of what we are strong, in transitions, we suffered a dubious penalty, preceded by a foul. But let's not apologize, we could and should have done more here».
“We can do more than we did today. All these injuries affect, when a piece is missing… Imagine what it is like to lack eight players at Olhanense, when sometimes there is talk of missing one of the big ones. In the first part, we lacked connection between defense and attack. In the second half we improved. But we were never the team we normally are. The victory is fair, regardless of one or two moves that conditioned us».
Despite the difficulties, the coach of the Algarve is not hoping to get reinforcements in the January market: «We have had some talks with the board and the president, but the situation in Portuguese football is not easy. We know the limitations we have. Let's see in January what can happen. But be careful, I'm not complaining about anything. I have confidence in my players, and we are doing a championship within the goals».
Luisão: «We found the expected difficulties»
"We found the expected difficulties, Olhanense is a well-assembled team, thanks to their players and coaches, but we managed to impose our usual rhythm at home, despite the rain and difficulties on the field," said Luisão, scorer of the second goal in red. , in statements to Sport TV.
As for his return to the games, after two months of absence, the captain of Benfica said he feels "like a teenager, enjoying his profession, after that difficult time without being able to play".
Happy with the result was also coach Jorge Jesus incarnate, especially because this result allowed Benfica to temporarily isolate themselves in charge of the 1st League. «It was a difficult game, the Olhanense team, with good positions, in defensive terms, put us in difficulties. Benfica forced Olhanense to defend, they didn't have a goal opportunity, but defensively they were very organized and made it difficult for us. We won 2-0, we could have won more, we had more chances».
Jorge Jesus added that “after the Champions League I made three changes, it was to make a fourth, I didn't, but the game proved me right. The Melgarejo that has not recovered. It was an exhibition as much as possible, but with quality. We never jeopardized victory, we were always looking forward to 3-0».
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