AC Milan host Benfica at San Siro tomorrow night and it’s fair to suggest that it’ll be a big test as they re-enter the Europa League.
Not qualifying for the Champions League was deemed a chance to face ‘lesser’ opponents. However, Benfica are very comparable to Milan in being a team that knows the Champions League like the back of their hand. In that way, it feels a little like a Champions League game, which journalists have picked up on already.
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Ahead of tomorrow’s game, Gazzetta dello Sport have looked at Benfica, how they play and the threats they present.
The stats
The report starts with the numbers, where Benfica impress. They’ve taken 16 points from six games, unbeaten in Portugal and they’ve done so by scoring 24 goals. It’s an outrageous number; there’s no denying it.
To add to this, they’ve conceded only four goals. A balanced team, to say the least. In Europe, it’s no different either; they scored 11 goals in two preliminary rounds. The question will be how they fare against an opposition of a higher level in the Rossoneri.
The star
Vangelis Pavlidis sticks out as the big star of the team, having scored 14 goals in 11 games this season. He’s a goal machine, matched by very few in Europe. It’s not exactly a purple patch either, as his 29 goals from last season show – including three contributions against Real Madrid.
He’s a complete striker, capable with his feet and in the air. Though to call him ‘only a scorer ‘ would be a disservice. He’s also excellent in build-up and with the trio of Rafa Silva, Andreas Schjelderup and Gianluca Prestianni, they could cause a lot of danger.
The manager
Marco Silva replaced Jose Mourinho in the summer, taking on a heavy legacy in the process. However, he’s no stranger to dominating. With Fulham, he led them to the Premier League and punched above his weight constantly.
He dominated in Greece with Olympiacos and with Benfica, he’s already showing similar signs. A possession-heavy manager, with a keen eye on looking to the bench, his game sounds almost familiar.
His team don’t require much to be deadly, so the Diavolo cannot afford any lapses in concentration. If they do, chances can and will be ‘converted into goals with relative ease’.
