Benfica - v - Burnley MATCH THREAD

jos · Post by **jos** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:20 pm

Good first half from both sides, very entertaining

NewClaret · Post by **NewClaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:20 pm

Great half of football. Entertaining game.

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:20 pm

Am enjoying this ... shame about no english coms though

Spiral · Post by **Spiral** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:21 pm

Wow what a half. Expected nothing, got the best game I've seen all season.

GetIntoEm · Post by **GetIntoEm** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:21 pm

I hope to god Muric is first choice come start of the season

RVclaret · Post by **RVclaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:21 pm

Enjoyable half. Imagine some genuine quality in our midfield.

4:20 · Post by **4:20** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:21 pm

A thoroughly enjoyable half, a real test and great to see players fighting for their spot.

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:21 pm

Really good match.
All about fitness, but we have shown a lot of good touches.
I doubt we'll see our starting XI until Mainz, but so much promise from this squad.

agreenwood · Post by **agreenwood** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:21 pm

123EasyasBFC wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:17 pm
This is benfica’s starting 11 and we are matching them to everything, great signs

It’s definitely a strong side we’re up against. Their centre forward is wanted by PSG for a rumoured fee of €75m.

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:21 pm

The competition in the CB and now RB areas is really, REALLY strong. Al-Dakhil showing he will compete with Roberts for that berth if he isn’t playing CB, and O’Shea showing he isn’t here to sit on a bench by default.

SussexDon1inIreland · Post by **SussexDon1inIreland** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:21 pm

We were a bit under the cosh there but the defence stayed strong and Muric was fantastic

spt_claret · Post by **spt_claret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:21 pm

Carwin261 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:19 pm
Get Beyer in and what a back 4 have we got?

Beyer/Al Dakhil/Ekdal back 3 is a rock solid defensive core, and with their ball playing ability to step into midfield we'd have 3 sweepers (Ekdal might be slower but he's still incredibly precise with his forward play).

Becomes a situation where I'm gutted to leave any of them out, and would even consider moving Beyer or Al Dakhil into the CDM role. What a luxury to have I figured we'd never replace Tarks/Mee.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:22 pm

Really enjoyable first half

HahaYeah · Post by **HahaYeah** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:22 pm

Great game by Muric.

PensansClaret · Post by **PensansClaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:23 pm

Great game. Music is class.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:23 pm

Doing well here

El-Dakhil and Ekdal both doing really well, as is Muric

Nonayforever · Post by **Nonayforever** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:23 pm

Replace weggy with Foster, Jay with Zaroury & Cork with Cullen & that team will match almost every team in the PL.

AGENT_CLARET · Post by **AGENT_CLARET** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:23 pm

Enjoyed the first half....bring on city

burnley007 · Post by **burnley007** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:23 pm

Ameen is immense

Muric just keeps getting better

claretandy · Post by **claretandy** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:23 pm

Muric, Al-Dakhil, Twine and Townsend all excellent.

Spiral · Post by **Spiral** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:24 pm

This is a side without Cullen, Benny or Beyer in it, against the best team in Portugal.

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:24 pm

Hope we get a bit of Amdouni action early second half.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:24 pm

agreenwood wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:21 pm
It’s definitely a strong side we’re up against. Their centre forward is wanted by PSG for a rumoured fee of €75m.

they can have ours for 15

Burnley1989 · Post by **Burnley1989** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:25 pm

Actually quite like that kit

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:25 pm

claretandy wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:23 pm
Muric, Al-Dakhil, Twine and Townsend all excellent.

yep glad Twine has been mentioned, very very tidy

Claret53 · Post by **Claret53** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:25 pm

Muric - excellent display.
Weghorst - off the pace, I thought.
Not sure about AD at RB. He is a fantastic footballer - really wonderful on the ball, but short of experience in that position.
Who's at left back?

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:25 pm

claretandy wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:23 pm
Muric, Al-Dakhil, Twine and Townsend all excellent.

Agreed, I’d add O’Shea and Ekdal to the list too.

Twine looking stronger and quicker and constantly involved (a criticism I’d have of him at times was his tendency to drift in and out - but he’s been involved all half).

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:26 pm

Fantastic half, saw most of it.

Against their first choice team, more or less, and our mixed up team, away from home, we were really good. Bodes so well, I’d rate them as similar to Brighton or Spurs for quality.

NewClaret · Post by **NewClaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:26 pm

Claret53 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:25 pm
Who's at left back?

Owen Dodgson

Steddyman · Post by **Steddyman** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:26 pm

Nonayforever wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:23 pm
Replace weggy with Foster, Jay with Zaroury & Cork with Cullen & that team will match almost every team in the PL.

Don't agree. Weggy has been fantastic at pressing and closing down. Jays intelligence has been key to holding the ball but I do agree about Cork, he's given it away way too much and seems past his best. I am usually Jacks biggest supporter.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:26 pm

Claret53 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:25 pm
Who's at left back?

Dodgson, got relegated with Rochdale last season - he's done well

Hipper · Post by **Hipper** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:27 pm

Claret53 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:25 pm
Muric - excellent display.
Weghorst - off the pace, I thought.
Not sure about AD at RB. He is a fantastic footballer - really wonderful on the ball, but short of experience in that position.
Who's at left back?

Dodgson. He's not looked overawed considering the oposition.

bfcmik · Post by **bfcmik** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:27 pm

[quote=Claret53 post_id=2140027 time=1690316725 user_id=7999
Who's at left back?
[/quote]Young lad, Dodgson

jos · Post by **jos** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:27 pm

Posse de bola Burnley 43% Benfica 57%

Very evenly split

Ampth7 · Post by **Ampth7** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:27 pm

A good first half that! They are a good side with some outstanding individuals and we definitely held our own on the main.
Cork looks like he is struggling which reaffirms our need and desire to bring in reinforcement(s) in the centre of the park along with the left back position.

ClaretLoup · Post by **ClaretLoup** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:27 pm

Benfica were Champions League quarter finalists last season and were knocked out by Inter.

VK has lined up some tough assignments to get the boys tuned up. Genk were Belgian Champions last season as well.

HahaYeah · Post by **HahaYeah** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:27 pm

Get Foster on.

CoolClaret · Post by **CoolClaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:27 pm

CrosspoolClarets wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:26 pm
Fantastic half, saw most of it.

Against their first choice team, more or less, and our mixed up team, away from home, we were really good. Bodes so well, I’d rate them as similar to Brighton or Spurs for quality.

Pushed inter close in the champions league 1/4 finals like!

They’re no mugs, not to mention have played more preseason games and are used to playing/training in this heat

Spiral · Post by **Spiral** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:28 pm

CrosspoolClarets wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:26 pm
I’d rate them as similar to Brighton or Spurs for quality.

Imagine saying 10 years ago after they sold Bale that by 2023 Spurs would match Brighton for quality. Tottenham in shambles.

123EasyasBFC · Post by **123EasyasBFC** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:28 pm

The kit looks great on too

RVclaret · Post by **RVclaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:29 pm

Imagine adding Lokonga & Hamer to this midfield. We’d go up another level or two. Massive priority for me.

Hipper · Post by **Hipper** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:29 pm

Weghorst has done his usual thing, made himself available, sprayed the ball about well, done his defensive stuff, but, when up front the ball doesn't seem to stick to him. There were a couple of times when a bit of tight control might have got him an opportunity. He's done OK though.

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:29 pm

Yes word for Dodgson - he should be getting a Championship loan on this evidence. Do we have any idea on feedback from Rochdale?

Tricky Trevor · Post by **Tricky Trevor** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:29 pm

Al Dakhil and O’Shea swapped positions and covered for each other very smoothly. That back 4 look very well coached.

NewClaret · Post by **NewClaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:30 pm

ClaretLoup wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:27 pm
Benfica were Champions League quarter finalists last season and were knocked out by Inter.

VK has lined up some tough assignments to get the boys tuned up. Genk were Belgian Champions last season as well.

These are the type of games we should be playing. Recall Vinny saying after the City thrashing that he wanted to play that game again and again to get better. Fantastic attitude.

Playing these games against top sides will help us get where we want to be.

Taffy on the wing · Post by **Taffy on the wing** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:30 pm

Don't know a strong from a weak Benfica team.....which is it?
They're pretty slick, good test for us.

bobinho · Post by **bobinho** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:30 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:24 pm
they can have ours for 15

Absolutely. To be fair tho, Jays best years are behind him and that would be a great fee…

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:30 pm

Hipper wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:29 pm
Weghorst has done his usual thing, made himself available, sprayed the ball about well, done his defensive stuff, but, when up front the ball doesn't seem to stick to him. There were a couple of times when a bit of tight control might have got him an opportunity. He's done OK though.

Think he’s done well but he needs a more mobile forward buzzing off him (I.e, Amdouni). Jay and him don’t work, too similar for me.

AndrewJB · Post by **AndrewJB** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:30 pm

This is a great game! I know it's only a friendly, but we look good against a really good side (not sure of how many first team they're playing though). I've got my ticket for Huelva, so looking forward to seeing us against Real Betis.

Braindead · Post by **Braindead** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:31 pm

Nonayforever wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:23 pm
Replace weggy with Foster, Jay with Zaroury & Cork with Cullen & that team will match almost every team in the PL.

Steady on