Pre-Season 2015/2016

Benfica kicked off the preseason with a match in Toronto against PSG.  We can properly assess the first half where the probably starters played as a unit.  For the first game they exceeded expectations.  Some notes or observations I can add are as follows:

1. Silvio is being given an opportunity to show he can be the starting right back.  Based on yesterdays performance he isnt showing that he deserves that place.  He will need to improve a lot over the next few preseason games or else Benfica will likely go to market and upgrade at that position.
2. Talisca showed renewed signs of life in an attacking midfield role (alternating from wing to centre).  If he continues to perform that way he may be a starter when the season kicks off.
3. Ola John played few minutes in the second half but showed to things clearly:  he cotinues to lack objectivity and decision making near the opposing goal; he also showed a much better effort at defending and playing for the collective than he has in years past.
4.  Samaris - best player on the field.

Some of the B team debuts went badly - Lindelof, Teixeira were awful; Oliveira was too but that is to be expected from him.  I dont know why Nelson Oliveira is even being given playing time.  NO player has ever been given more opportunities with more clubs over more years to show that he has some quality than him.  He has wasted every single chance of the many he has been given.  Its time to cut him and not waste any more playing time on him.

Overall a good first match.  Lots of points to work on for the next match against Fiorentina on friday. I expect a much better performance now that RV has had a chance to observe the team in competition and knows what details he must work on and improve.