Collective cohesion on a night of debuts

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Goal acomplished! On matchday 29 of the Liga Betclic, Benfica bear Moreirense (3-0), with goals from Kökcü, Tomás Araújo and Rollheiser, the latter two making their scoring debut. With the Benfica fans applauding during and after a solid display at the Estádio da Luz, the evening of Sunday, April 14, was also marked by Diogo Spencer's first minutes in the first teams.

Unable to count on Otamendi and Aursnes, both serving suspensions, Roger Schmidt had to make changes to the team. The coach made another six changes from the previous match against Marseille in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals (2-1), the coach also made six other changes, keeping Bah, João Neves and Neres.

Thus, Samuel Soares, Bah, Tomás Araújo, Morato, Álvaro Carreras, João Neves, João Mário, Neres, Tiago Gouveia, Kökcü and Arthur Cabral were chosen.

With a secure defensive record, against a compact rival, but always willing to take advantage of quick transitions, the Reds, who circulated the ball well, opened the scoring after 18 minutes.

In defensive midfield, João Mário stole the ball, João Neves passed the ball to Kökcü, who advanced up the pitch. The midfielder combined with Tiago Gouveia and, with his eyes on goal, the Turkish international fired. Kewin Silva still touched the ball, but couldn't prevent the 1-0. It was the first moment of jubilation in the Cathedral!

With the game played at a less intense pace, Benfica reacted in the same way. In the 39th minute, Arthur Cabral got rid of two opponents, fired a powerful shot from outside the area and the ball crashed against the crossbar!

In stoppage time, following a corner kick taken by Neres, Tomás Araújo extended the Reds' lead in the 45th minute. The young central midfielder headed the ball towards the crossbar, Ponck deflected the ball and, on the rebound, in the goal area, the number 44 scored with his left foot! It was his first goal for the Reds' first team.

At half-time, Benfica had a two-goal lead, justifying their competence. This was followed by a tribute to the national road champions (5 km), who were present on the pitch.

For the second half, Roger Schmidt made three changes: António Silva, Florentino and Rollheiser came on in place of Tomás Araújo, João Neves and Neres.

The team didn't stop looking for more goals and, in the 79th minute, Rollheiser had another moment to lift the stadium. In an excellent play, Tiago Gouveia made a pass to the Argentine forward, who escaped his marker, dominated with his chest and fired a left-footed shot into the back of the net. It was 3-0 in Luz! Rollheiser's first goal for Glorioso, and Tiago Gouveia's second assist in this match.

In the 86th minute, Tengstedt was brought on in place of Kökcü, and in the 89th minute, it was Diogo Spencer's turn to make his first team debut. Tiago Gouveia was substituted and the young right-back came on.

After this match, the Eagles return to action on Thursday, April 18, the date of the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals against Marseille. The match at the French ground is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm.