Jorge Jesus praised the intelligence of Rui Vitória not to change much in what Benfica last year was, but for the Super Cup, the Benfica coach has changed more than what he was forced to do. This may have been one of the reasons why Sporting played most of the game and Jorge Jesus was the winner in the reunion with his old team, at Estádio Algarve.
Rui Vitória bet on Nélson Semedo and Sílvio for the wings, two players little (Sílvio) or nothing (Nélson Semedo), used by Jorge Jesus last season. In the central defense zone, Luisão's injury forced the entry of Lisandro and, in midfield, Vitória also preferred Fejsa over Pizzi. That is, a lot of changes in relation to the base eleven last season and reinforcements in the eleven, not even seeing them.
The Sporting coach, on the other hand, bet on four reinforcements: João Pereira, Naldo, Bryan Ruiz and Teo Gutiérrez and on the same 4-4-2 that brought success last season on the other side of the second round.
Jesus' strategy proved to be more correct practically from the first minute. Sporting "pulled" Benfica to their area and the reds showed many difficulties in coming out to play.
However, against the run of the game, Benfica were the first team to create danger, in the 14th minute, when Ola John crossed from the right to Jonas' head, but Jonas missed the amendment. The same Jonas had, in the 21st minute, the best opportunity of the reds in the entire game when, following a corner by Gaitán from the right, the Brazilian forward, at the far post, headed wide.
Sporting responded to Benfica's "audacity" two minutes later when, in a quick attack, Bryan Ruiz went down the left and crossed into the small area where Teo Gutiérrez was already preparing to score the first goal, but Jardel "saved" his team with a big cut.
In the 24th minute, Teo Gutiérrez introduced the ball into goal, but Jorge Sousa disallowed the goal for supposedly offside.
The break could help Benfica, but it was Sporting to come back better from the cabins and Teo Gutierrez scared Júlio César after 48 minutes, when he headed in a good position, over the top.
Sporting's goal was foreseen and reached the 53rd minute, and it cannot be said that Teo Gutierrez had not warned that he was in the Algarve to score. The goal is almost entirely from Carrillo, who shot strong and low from the edge of the area, but the winning touch that betrayed Júlio César was the Colombian striker.
Rui Vitória, at a disadvantage, changed the team, put Pizzi, Mitroglou and Gonçalo Guedes on the field, but Benfica's football improved little or nothing with the changes. Jonas still managed to get the ball into goal in the 78th minute, and there was a goal in the stadium, but the move was disallowed for offside.
Slimani, on 84 minutes, could have expanded, but the score did not change until Jorge Sousa's final whistle. Sporting changed, but Jorge Jesus did not and continues to win.
Teams:
Benfica: Júlio César, Nelson Semedo, Lisandro, Jardel, Sílvio, Fejsa, Ola John (Gonçalo Guedes, 81), Samaris (Mitroglou, 72), Gaitán, Talisca (Pizzi, 57) and Jonas.
(Substitutes: Ederson, André Almeida, Eliseu, Pizzi, Gonçalo Guedes, Jonathan Rodriguez and Mitroglou).
Coach: Rui Vitória.
sport: Rui Patrício, João Pereira, Paulo Oliveira, Naldo, Jefferson, Adrien, Carrillo (Gelson Martins, 90+3), João Mário, Bryan Ruiz (Rúben Semedo, 85), Téo Gutiérrez (Carlos Mané, 70) and Slimani.
(Substitutes: Marcelo Boeck, Jonathan Silva, Tobias Figueiredo, Rúben Semedo, Carlos Mané, Gelson Martins and Montero).
Coach: Jorge Jesus.
Referee: Jorge Sousa
disciplinary action: yellow card for Slimani (16), Sílvio (38), Fejsa (50), Adrien (56), João Pereira (58), Jonas (60), Carrillo (63), Gaitán (76).
Assistance: 28.900 spectators.
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