Benfica - v - Burnley MATCH THREAD

Guller Bull · Post by **Guller Bull** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:28 pm

Looking forward to the next round draw! It would be nice if we could avoid the big boys until at least the quarter-finals.

4midable · Post by **4midable** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:28 pm

MT03ALG wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:23 pm
Benfica won the league last year, 2 points ahead of Porto....

Good few players but thats about it
Portugal leagues shite. Their wage bills prob less than ours and i bet 85% of it is paid to di maria

SussexDon1inIreland · Post by **SussexDon1inIreland** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:29 pm

Night everyone

Spiral · Post by **Spiral** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:29 pm

I've missed football.

Claret53 · Post by **Claret53** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:29 pm

It looks like we can expect a good spread of goals across the team again. Who would have thought it? 2-0 win, away, against Benfica with two defenders scoring. And neither were headers from set pieces. This is just fabulous stuff to watch.

Nonayforever · Post by **Nonayforever** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:29 pm

Bring on Real Betis.

spt_claret · Post by **spt_claret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:29 pm

Spiral wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:17 pm
Not a keeper error, shot just had too much power on it. Quite why it's HJALMAR BLOODY EKDAL of all people following it up is anyone's guess, but that's TOTAL FOOTBALL for you and I'm here for it.

Nevermind Total Football we've gone full Ted Lasso:

-Tall blonde Dutchman who ruffles feathers by being too blunt
-Young African attacker who's got some personal stuff going on related to being away from home but seems an absolutely lovely chap
- Eccentric sweeper keeper
- Aging ex-Chelsea midfield general battling to keep going
- Welshman

All we need is a loanee star player who comes back permanently who's a talented but mercurial English youth prospect, and to coax Zlatan out of retirement, and Burnley is AFC Richmond.

Goalposts · Post by **Goalposts** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:29 pm

Wow basically, Can genuinely not recall a time when there’s as much competition for places as there is now…

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:30 pm

That was a very good performance to be fair

Everyone contributed, but I thought Ekdal was head and shoulders above everyone

Tribesmen · Post by **Tribesmen** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:33 pm

Wow time for bed and sweet dreams

Spiral · Post by **Spiral** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:33 pm

spt_claret wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:29 pm
Nevermind Total Football we've gone full Ted Lasso:

-Tall blonde Dutchman who ruffles feathers by being too blunt
-Young African attacker who's got some personal stuff going on related to being away from home but seems an absolutely lovely chap
- Eccentric sweeper keeper
- Aging ex-Chelsea midfield general battling to keep going
- Welshman

All we need is a loanee star player who comes back permanently who's a talented but mercurial English youth prospect, and to coax Zlatan out of retirement, and Burnley is AFC Richmond.

It's frightening how accurate that is

Nobody let Craig Bellamy go to Amsterdam. Or better yet, do. GET BELLARS TO AMSTERDAM.

Socrates · Post by **Socrates** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:33 pm

4midable wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:28 pm
Good few players but thats about it
Portugal leagues shite. Their wage bills prob less than ours and i bet 85% of it is paid to di maria

They got to the last 8 of the Champions League last year.

Topped a group with PSG and Juventus in it.

spt_claret · Post by **spt_claret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:34 pm

Spiral wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:33 pm
It's frightening how accurate that is Nobody let Craig Bellamy go to Amsterdam. Or better yet, do. GET BELLARS TO AMSTERDAM.

Re-sign Tella and we're only missing Zlatan...

ClaretLoup · Post by **ClaretLoup** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:34 pm

Benfica won 15 out of 17 of their home games last season and scored in every one and only failed to score against Inter in the Champions League.

The defending tonight was excellent and that will be critical next season as we will have a lot less possession than last season.
Muric was imperious in the nets.

Carwin261 · Post by **Carwin261** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:35 pm

forzagranata wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:20 pm
Its a tough choice between Muric and Andros Trialist

Thought Al Dakeel,and Ekdal were immense.

MT03ALG · Post by **MT03ALG** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:35 pm

4midable wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:28 pm
Good few players but thats about it
Portugal leagues shite. Their wage bills prob less than ours and i bet 85% of it is paid to di maria

Champions League QF last season: 0-2/3-3 v Inter Milan

Paddy1882 · Post by **Paddy1882** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:36 pm

Friendly or not some good performances In a really tidy game. Ekdal is a really really good player so cool and calm.

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:36 pm

Guller Bull wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:28 pm
Looking forward to the next round draw! It would be nice if we could avoid the big boys until at least the quarter-finals.

Already been drawn

Betis away on Friday

TPClaret · Post by **TPClaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:37 pm

Beats playing Accy and Fleetwood. Great run out against top European opposition

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:37 pm

I know it's only pre-season but I've had to pour myself a brandy and a calvados after that result.

Benfica 0-2 Burnley

Must remember,

"Tt's all about the fitness"
"It's about learning systems"
"Pre-season doesn't mean anything"

But it's maybe a touch better than losing to the Isle of Man.

bf2k · Post by **bf2k** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:38 pm

I wish I’d kept up with those Portuguese lessons now

pureclaret · Post by **pureclaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:38 pm

Longsider wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:13 pm
Ok, get your bets on
I'm going 2 nil final score Burnley

ops just put£10 on thought you meant v man city

Jellybean · Post by **Jellybean** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:38 pm

Great thread on here tonight guys, enjoyed all the posts, almost as entertaining as the game. I'm in shock that was so good.

Selby Claret · Post by **Selby Claret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:39 pm

Muric was excellent but Ekdal made that look so easy
Like an earlier post said - head and shoulders above everyone

Tricky Trevor · Post by **Tricky Trevor** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:39 pm

If that was our B team our A team have had a kick up the aras after the alleged performance at Genk. Perfect.

Vino blanco · Post by **Vino blanco** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:39 pm

I have no idea how Vincent picks a starting eleven against City. Also, that away strip looks great, makes us look athletic and certainly visible.

Philss_99 · Post by **Philss_99** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:42 pm

Some good performances tonight, Muric, Dodgson, Ekdal but I thought Cork looked a little off it tonight as did Wout. Not decided on Andros T as of yet but again not a bad outing.

I also thought the match officials were very good. Let the game flow and no messing about. I know it was only a friendly but they are worthy of a mention.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:42 pm

As friendlies go, that was as good as it gets for us.

Great passing moves by both sides. Great pressing and getting back in shape.
Tough work out in the heat.

Lots of players putting a marker down for their place.

Bob Lorder · Post by **Bob Lorder** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:43 pm

Great performance, lucky for Benfica we rested our best players …

claretblue · Post by **claretblue** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:45 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:27 pm
this time last year we were beating Shrewsbury, we just beat the Portuguese Champions - let that sink in, what an UNBELIEVABLE year.

should beat the English champions in just over a fortnight!

UTC

Hedontplayforyou · Post by **Hedontplayforyou** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:51 pm

Good watch - some real graft from our lads and quality to go with it.

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:53 pm

Sounds like VK has a nice problem re who starts v Man City in central defence

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:00 pm

Bob Lorder wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:43 pm
Great performance, lucky for Benfica we rested our best players …

Not sure there'll be any agreement as to who our best players are at present.
Based on tonight, Ekdal would have to be the first name on the teamsheet, but Beyer didn't even get a game and Al-Dakhil and O'Shea were outstanding.
Muric is undroppable based on tonight, but many assumed Trafford would be the No. 1.
If signed, Townsend is more robust and fitter than Benson, so this could easily mean that Benson becomes an "impact sub"
And who knows what our best forward combination is?

NewClaret · Post by **NewClaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:02 pm

warksclaret wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:53 pm
Sounds like VK has a nice problem re who starts v Man City in central defence

We have some crazily good players there!

Swizzlestick · Post by **Swizzlestick** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:06 pm

Philss_99 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:42 pm
Some good performances tonight, Muric, Dodgson, Ekdal but I thought Cork looked a little off it tonight as did Wout. Not decided on Andros T as of yet but again not a bad outing.

I also thought the match officials were very good. Let the game flow and no messing about. I know it was only a friendly but they are worthy of a mention.

Cork had a v good second half I thought.

Goodclaret · Post by **Goodclaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:11 pm

Can't argue with much of what's been said already. Muric was fantastic tonight, I thought everything was played at such a better pace by him.

I knew Ekdal was good last season but I genuinely believe we have an absolute gem on our hands here. This guy is the dogs B's.

It's going to be one hell of an exciting season. I'm not saying top 4 finish but ...........

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:41 pm

Enjoyable thread this one tonight, unlike the transfers thread

Heat, tempo, class, extra week’s training - we had a lot against us tonight and got through it.

I predicted at the end of the season we would spend about £100m and finish, I think it was, 7th.

Didn’t really see anything tonight to change my mind on the latter, and I remain confident on the former.

CoolClaret · Post by **CoolClaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:43 pm

Can’t sleep me - absolutely buzzing with that.

We’re going places with this team.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:44 pm

Highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IUH8IGZL50

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:45 pm

CoolClaret wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:43 pm
Can’t sleep me - absolutely buzzing with that.

We’re going places with this team.

when you consider that feeling to how you felt after the Newcastle game and realise it really wasn't that long ago the turn around has been miracle like

CoolClaret · Post by **CoolClaret** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:49 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:45 pm
when you consider that feeling to how you felt after the Newcastle game and realise it really wasn't that long ago the turn around has been miracle like

Yup - really felt like the end of our stay in the PL that and a long road back.

I was in such a foul mood I actually had to swerve a wedding night do - didn’t want to bring a stink over

Quicknick · Post by **Quicknick** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 1:56 am

Always pleasing to beat a Portuguese team when you used to live there. Especially Benfica.

superdimitri · Post by **superdimitri** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 2:30 am

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:44 pm
Highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IUH8IGZL50

Has anyone watched these who also saw the entire game? They seem heavily Benfica oriented. Makes it seem like we were lucky since they had such poor finishing or final balls.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 2:46 am

superdimitri wrote: ↑
Wed Jul 26, 2023 2:30 am
Has anyone watched these who also saw the entire game? They seem heavily Benfica oriented. Makes it seem like we were lucky since they had such poor finishing or final balls.

they are just showing their bits for their fans tbh. We had quite a few chances and overall were excellent against a top top side

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 4:34 am

Good game with a coverage that actually switched from phone to screen easily
Defence was superb as was Guddy and Andros

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 4:59 am

https://twitter.com/ldnlongside/status/ ... 92704?s=20

Newcastleclaret93 · Post by **Newcastleclaret93** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 5:44 am

Wasn’t able to watch the game last night but from the highlights it very much looks like Townsend and Dodgson had a good game.

Is that accurate? And was there anyone else that stood out

Guitargeorge · Post by **Guitargeorge** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 6:02 am

Yes, both had sound games, but then again, so did most of them. Read the posts above to see who stood out.

Passing Clouds · Post by **Passing Clouds** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 6:05 am

Fair play to Ekdal. He looks super lean. Some of the criticism of his pace might have prompted this. Great sign he performed so well last season not at optimal fitness.

Anyone think we could have a back 3 with Beyer stepping into midfield, John Stones style?

ClaretLoup · Post by **ClaretLoup** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 6:15 am

superdimitri wrote: ↑
Wed Jul 26, 2023 2:30 am
Has anyone watched these who also saw the entire game? They seem heavily Benfica oriented. Makes it seem like we were lucky since they had such poor finishing or final balls.

Watched all bar first 20 minutes. Looks a pretty fair summary to me.

We were away to a top European team and restricted them to a few long range punts, got some great blocks in and when they did get through Muric pulled off a couple of blinding saves. We also created some pretty decent chances. Pretty sure that most of them appear in the edit. The balance of play was in Benfica’s favour which made it an excellent result.

However let’s not get too carried away, it was a friendly.