Benfica win 5-0 and confirm all my predictions

I would first like to apologize to all my readers for the hiatus.  I have had some important projects on the go and haven't get up with the blog.  Yesterday we saw Benfica blowout Vitoria Setubal away.  Talisca got a hat trick.

As I documented months ago, Talisca had the raw talent and needed time to learn the system.  It seems that time has begun to bear fruits.  After a couple of solid games he exploded on to the scene yesterday with 3 goals.  More importantly though, I noticed him making much less intakes  He is learning the positionings that JJ wants him to.

The trio of Gaitan, Talisca and Salvio playing behind Lima is really starting to gel.  Our defence with its 3 pillars from last year staying the same (Maxi, Luisao and Jardel) are enhanced by Eliseu which I have always maintained here is a BIG improvement on any of our left backs last year.

Samaris played cautiously as he should in his first match for the club and I liked how he communicated well with Luisao to ensure he was in the right places at the right times.

I liked how JJ made the early double substitution to give the boys some rest for the match against Zenit.  Cristante came on and got a few touches.  He confirmed his love for the long pass.  We didn't see enough of him to draw any conclusions yet.  Furthermore it was at a point in the game where it was no longer really a competitive match as Benfica was winning 5-0.

The Talisca match shows how brilliant they were to keep him and get rid of Bernardo Silva.  Many clamoured to let Silva play that position but Silva is a second division calibre player and could never have done what Talisca did.

Lets hope for a good result against Zenit.  As I predicted all along, the team is fine and will have another dominant year.