Starting on the right foot in the League Cup

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Benfica's victorious debut in this edition of the League Cup. At Estádio Municipal de Leiria (Dr. Magalhães Pessoa), the eagles beat Estrela da Amadora, by 2-3, on matchday 1 of group C. Musa, Chiquinho and Draxler, all with right-footed shots, scored the goals from the eagles; João Silva and Gustavo Henrique for Estrela da Amadora.

The debut of the reds in a competition that is very dear to them, because they are the team with the most trophies: seven. Undefeated in 2022/23, the leader of the Liga Bwin, with 37 points, locked horns with Estrela da Amadora, in 3rd place in Liga 2.

Due to the World Cup 2022, coach Roger Schmidt made six changes in the starting XI. In 4x2x3x1, the eagles stepped onto the pitch with Odysseas, Gilberto, João Victor, Brooks, Grimaldo, Florentino, Chiquinho, Diogo Gonçalves, Neres, Rafa, and Musa. On the other side, coach Sérgio Vieira set up a 3x4x3 formation and fielded a starting Xi with Brígido, Shinga, Omurwa, Erivaldo, Miguel Lopes, João Reis, Aloísio, Guzmán, Ronald, João Silva, and Jean Felipe. 

At 13', a good offensive play with several combinations between Rafa and Musa, and the Croatian striker opened the scoring (0-1) with a right-footed strike.

Trailing, Estrela da Amadora tried to be bolder, had a more offensive approach, and was rewarded in the 22nd minute. With a free kick on the right side, Guzmán made the first deflection in the box and João Silva scored the equalizer at the far post (1-1) in Leiria.

At 28', Rafa received the ball in the box and was fouled by Omurwa. Referee Miguel Nogueira awarded a penalty kick, that Chiquinho turned into the 1-2 (29'). 

At half-time, the eagles were winning by 1-2 at Estádio Municipal de Leiria (Dr. Magalhães Pessoa).

The second half started with two changes in the red side. Morato and Draxler came in for João Victor and Diogo Gonçalves, respectively. 

At 90', a quick counter-attack from the Benfica, Gil Dias passes Neres on the right, who makes the cross, Rodrigo Pinho received in the box and passed the ball to Draxler, who scored the 1-3 (the 70th goal of the reds in the current season).

The game seemed to be decided, but at 90'+5' the "Amadorenses" pulled one back. The reds lost the ball in the attack and Gustavo Henrique, only with Odysseas to beat, scored the 2-3. Benfica enters the 2022/23 edition of the League Cup with a win, with three points in group C, and receives Penafiel at Estádio da Luz, Saturday (November 26), at 8:45pm.