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THREAD BENFICA
I would love to see that Marcelo Gallardo would be the next manager of Benfica. He would be able to implement an attacking-minded 4-3-3 with a lot of variation in the attacking phase of play and a lot of position changes throughout the match. #SLB
I would love to see that Marcelo Gallardo would be the next manager of Benfica. He would be able to implement an attacking-minded 4-3-3 with a lot of variation in the attacking phase of play and a lot of position changes throughout the match. #SLB
Ideally, he would be appointed this summer and I think that he will be available for European teams in the summer.
I am going to try to explain how they could play with the current players and where they would need to sign new players.
PS: I'm not looking at backups now
I am going to try to explain how they could play with the current players and where they would need to sign new players.
PS: I'm not looking at backups now
Odysseas Vlachodimos (26) will be the goalkeeper for Benfica. He is relatively reliable and has a lot of experience playing for Benfica. Svilar and Leite can be the second and third option for them.
Right-back:
There is one option in the squad that would fit extremely well in Gallardo's system and that's Diogo Gonçalves. He has a lot of ability in the attacking phase of play. Last season, he had eight assists for Famalicão.
There is one option in the squad that would fit extremely well in Gallardo's system and that's Diogo Gonçalves. He has a lot of ability in the attacking phase of play. Last season, he had eight assists for Famalicão.
Other options for Benfica (feel free to ask questions on any players, this thread does not allow me to elaborate on why I want to see these players:
• Gonzalo Montiel (24 - River Plate)
• Aurelio Buta (23 - Antwerp)
• Gonzalo Montiel (24 - River Plate)
• Aurelio Buta (23 - Antwerp)
Right central defender:
It is important to have defenders that can play in a high defensive line and are comfortable in possession. Jean-Clair Todibo should be starting for Benfica and Nicolás Otamendi is not a player that can play in a high defensive line anymore.
It is important to have defenders that can play in a high defensive line and are comfortable in possession. Jean-Clair Todibo should be starting for Benfica and Nicolás Otamendi is not a player that can play in a high defensive line anymore.
Left central defender:
Ferro is one of the players that was criticized last season, but I still think that he has the potential to be a starter for Benfica and he would suit quite well in Gallardo's side, despite maybe not being the fastest.
Ferro is one of the players that was criticized last season, but I still think that he has the potential to be a starter for Benfica and he would suit quite well in Gallardo's side, despite maybe not being the fastest.
Left-back:
The left-back position is quite clear, as Alejandro Grimaldo would also fit the playing style very well, being an attacking-minded left-back. Another option could be Nuno Tavares, who I'd like to play in this role as well.
The left-back position is quite clear, as Alejandro Grimaldo would also fit the playing style very well, being an attacking-minded left-back. Another option could be Nuno Tavares, who I'd like to play in this role as well.
Defensive midfielder:
The defensive midfielder in Gallardo's system needs to have a lot of quality on the ball, but also capable of intercepting a lot of passes and winning the duels. Both Florentino and Julian Weigl can be this player.
The defensive midfielder in Gallardo's system needs to have a lot of quality on the ball, but also capable of intercepting a lot of passes and winning the duels. Both Florentino and Julian Weigl can be this player.
Left central midfielder:
The left central midfielder spot is the player that needs to be playing in a box to box role. Adel Taarabt could play in this role, but Gedson Fernandes, who hopefully returns from loan, could also play well in this role.
The left central midfielder spot is the player that needs to be playing in a box to box role. Adel Taarabt could play in this role, but Gedson Fernandes, who hopefully returns from loan, could also play well in this role.
At River Plate, Gallardo plays with Carrascal and De La Cruz in LCM and LW as the most creative options, but I think he should switch that to RCM and RW at Benfica and the reason behind that is explained in the previous and following tweets.
Right central midfielder:
On the right side of the midfield, there needs to be someone that can swap positions with the right-winger and be a creative type of midfielder. I think that Luca Waldschmidt could fulfil this role with Pedrinho playing as a right-winger.
On the right side of the midfield, there needs to be someone that can swap positions with the right-winger and be a creative type of midfielder. I think that Luca Waldschmidt could fulfil this role with Pedrinho playing as a right-winger.
Luca Waldschmidt is effective when playing in the half-space on the right and I would like to see him operate in this position more often, constantly creating chances from this position and swapping roles with Pedrinho.
Another option for this position could be Brazilian midfielder Jean Pyerre. He is more effective as left central midfielder, but could be of use for Benfica as right central midfielder as well, using his vision and good technique to create chances.
Right-winger:
This position will not be a surprise for you after reading the last few tweets. Pedrinho would be very comfortable in the Carrascal role, constantly moving inside but also being able to play in a wider role and capable of playing in the tight spaces.
This position will not be a surprise for you after reading the last few tweets. Pedrinho would be very comfortable in the Carrascal role, constantly moving inside but also being able to play in a wider role and capable of playing in the tight spaces.
Striker:
Darwin Nuñez can do well in this formation for Benfica, but should work on the timing of his runs as he sometimes gets flagged for offside. However, he is a good striker in this system as he can both create and finish chances.
Darwin Nuñez can do well in this formation for Benfica, but should work on the timing of his runs as he sometimes gets flagged for offside. However, he is a good striker in this system as he can both create and finish chances.
Left-winger:
The left-winger will be Everton. He would be playing in a different role than Matias Suarez (RW, but I changed the sides) at River Plate, but I think that he can be of use with his quality and ability to carry the ball inside and shooting from distance.
The left-winger will be Everton. He would be playing in a different role than Matias Suarez (RW, but I changed the sides) at River Plate, but I think that he can be of use with his quality and ability to carry the ball inside and shooting from distance.
Conclusion, both the players and Gallardo will need some time to adapt, but I think that Gallardo could do a lot with this squad. Gallardo is also someone that gives youth players the chance to prove themselves, which is also important for Benfica.
The only position that could do with an improvement is right-back and maybe right central midfielder if Waldschmidt would not be capable of playing as a central midfielder. Waldschmidt will be in possession more from this position and is not really used to that.
The final line-up from Benfica under Gallardo would be:
Vlachodimos; Diogo Gonçalves (Montiel/Buta), Todibo, Ferro, Grimaldo; Waldschmidt, Florentino/Weigl, Gedson; Pedrinho, Darwin & Everton.
Your thoughts on this thread? @universoslb, @_Helner & @benficaeazeite
Vlachodimos; Diogo Gonçalves (Montiel/Buta), Todibo, Ferro, Grimaldo; Waldschmidt, Florentino/Weigl, Gedson; Pedrinho, Darwin & Everton.
Your thoughts on this thread? @universoslb, @_Helner & @benficaeazeite
