Category Archives: Benfica

FIFA 16: The Top 10 Potential New Legends in the latest FIFA edition

  By O-Posts Team | July 11, 2024 - 12:00 | , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

HEADS UP: 1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest

FIFA 16 has already created a huge buzz in the gaming world and is probably the best sports game of the year. Inclusion of Legends in both Xbox and Play Station has played a great deal in bringing this success.

Let’s find out who are the Top 10 Potential New Legends added to FIFA 16.

 

1. David Beckham – Right Midfielder

Overall Rating: 89

Best attribute: 92 rating in Passing

Beckham played for Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan among other top clubs. He won six Premier League titles, one Champions League title and 12 other club honours in his career which solidifies his status as a legend of the game.

 

2. Oliver Khan – Goalkeeper

Overall Rating: 90

Best attribute: 91 rating in Reflexes and Positioning

Khan has won eight Bundesliga titles, one Champions League title and was Europe’s best goal keeper for four consecutive years. He was also voted the World Cup’s best player in 2002 — the first and so far only keeper to ever claim that accolade.

 

3. Raul – Striker

Overall Rating: 90

Best attribute: 92 rating in Shooting

Real Madrid legend has records for most appearances and goals for the Los Blancos. He has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions League titles making him his career a greatly rewarding one.

 

4. Thierry Henry - Striker

Overall Rating: 91

Best attribute: 92 rating in Shooting and Pace

The French superstar had a successful career in France, England and Spain. He scored a total of 360 goals in his career and has won the World Cup and league titles from each country he’s played in. He is a definite legend to look forward to in FIFA 16.

 

5. George Best – Left Winger

Overall Rating: 92

Best attribute: 92 rating in Pace and Dribbling

The Manchester United legend is one of the best players to have ever played in England. He won the Player of the Year and was voted the greatest Northern Irish player ever. Having scored more than 200 goals for Manchester United, he is going to be popular among Man United’s FIFA 16 fans.

 

6. Zinedine Zidane – Central Attacking Midfielder

Overall Rating: 93

Best attribute: 99 rating in Heading

Zidane is the most influential playmaker the world has ever seen. He won three Player of the Year awards and one Ballon d’Or among other honors as a player. He is going to create a buzz among FIFA 16’s Real Madrid fans as well as any average fan of the beautiful game.

 

7. Eusebio – Striker

Overall Rating: 93

Best attribute: 94 rating in Dribbling

A record of eleven Primeira Liga and a memorable World Cup showing in 1966 makes Eusebio Portugal’s second best player after Ronaldo. It was a shame he was not included in the previous versions of FIFA.

 

8. Ronaldo – Striker

Overall Rating: 93

Best attribute: 94 rating in Shooting

The Brazilian Legend has won many individual awards for his contribution to world football. With an overall of 93, he will be one of the most traded players in FUT 16.

 

9. Johan Cruyff

Overall Rating: 93

Best attribute: 94 rating in Dribbling

The Ajax and Barcelona legend has won three consecutive European Player of the Year awards, which definitely seals his mark as one of the greatest ever. Dutch gamers will be looking forward to seeing him in FIFA 16.

 

10. Diego Maradona

Overall Rating: 95

Best attribute: 97 rating in Dribbling

A 95 overall rating is the best rating (Pele also has 95) there is for a player in FIFA 16 Legend. The Argentine has had a hugely successful professional career and now he will be joining rival Pele in FIFA 16 as a Legend.

 

Written by Charchit Dahal

Follow Charchit on Twitter @CharchitDahal

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

FIFA 16: Three Major Changes in the latest FIFA Installment

  By O-Posts Team | July 7, 2024 - 17:18 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

We expect big changes from the new FIFA 16 as EA has promised a better game after the failure of FIFA 15.

We do not know all the changes that EA has done to improve the game, but we know some of the major changes that we will see in the upcoming new sensation (according to EA at the E3 conference).

 

Women’s Football

Women’s Football is the one big change we are going to see in FIFA 16. EA has announced that they have added twelve women’s national teams in the game and has focused on the female gameplay to make it more accurate as possible.

This is a milestone for FIFA as well as Women’s Football. There are only a very few people who completely follow Women’s Football, but after this everyone buying the game will have a chance to explore it.

Also, it has been reported that EA are planning on making a separate FIFA game for females only from next year. It will only be a great success for the future if the initial Women’s Football in FIFA 16 is as good as the EA claims.

 

New Tactical Defense with Improved Goalkeeping

When EA initially released the first gameplay trailer we were worried that again they were only focusing on adding new features, not fixing previous errors. But then they released the second trailer suggesting they have made some serious changes in the interference engine of the game. These improvements includes a new tactical defending and a more realistic goalkeeping.

The Tactical Defending includes more animatic moves like diving clearance and triangle traps giving the video game simulation a more real life like feel. There are not much changes in goalkeeping, however they have fixed previous bugs like air ball glitch.

 

More Animations and Graphics

We have already talked about more animatic moves in previous section but that is not all there is. The developers have added new stadiums, celebrations, skill moves, interactive crowds, and many other new graphics and animations to make the game compatible with the new interactive engine.

Other graphics includes new menus and modes, which have not been revealed yet.

 

Written by Charchit Dahal

Follow Charchit on Twitter @CharchitDahal

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Marcelo Meli: Boca’s rising midfielder flourishing with veteran Gago by his side

  By O-Posts Team | June 18, 2024 - 23:05 | , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Name: Marcelo Meli
Club: Boca Juniors
Date of Birth: 20th June 1992
Position: Central midfield

Who is he?

Much like Jonathan Calleri, Cesar Marcelo Meli was snapped up by Boca Juniors in the aftermath of being relegated with their former clubs at the end of the Torneo Final 2014 and has since seen their reputation and their value grow exponentially in La Bombonera. With Boca Juniors’ ambitious transfer plans in this window there is a chance that they will need to cash in on these assets and so Meli could be en route to Europe.

Meli hails from the small city of Salto in the north of the Buenos Aires province and although his initial footballing education took place at Club Sports Salto he was soon moving a little further north to play in the youth divisions of Rosario based side, Club Atletico Jorge Griffa. From here, his journey continued along the Rio Parana to Colon de Santa Fe in 2011 and it did not take long for young Meli to catch the eye.

After a string of impressive performances in the reserves, Meli was quickly brought into the first team by Roberto Sensini and made his debut away to Independiente towards the end of the 2012 Inicial.

Gradually Meli grew into one of Colon’s key players and alongside Ezequiel Videla in central midfield the two stood out in spite of the club’s struggles. The 2014 ultimately ended in failure and after relegation was confirmed, a tearful Meli said: “We did everything possible and we failed. It is an incredible sadness.”

The Primera sides had seen enough and as Videla departed for Racing, Boca moved swiftly for Meli. Colon received $750,000 for 50% ownership of Meli and sent talented youngster Cristian Pavon on loan to Santa Fe as part of the deal but initially under Carlos Bianchi, Meli struggled to hold down a first team place in La Bombonera.

Since Rodolfo Arruabarrena arrived as Boca coach, Meli has seen his status improve and he has established himself as a key part of the midfield. Meli’s boundless energy provides a good balance alongside Fernando Gago and Boca have enjoyed something of a renaissance.

Their Libertadores challenge unfortunately ended in controversy when they were kicked out as a result of crowd trouble but they remain very much in the mix for the Primera title.

What type of player?

Meli is a box-to-box central midfielder and his tireless running has been well complimented by veteran Fernando Gago playing in the number five role. While Gago can operate in front of the defence and look for passes, Meli’s dynamism in the centre can provide an outlet and help in linking the midfield to the attack.

A busy midfielder, Meli is something of an all-rounder, who tracks back and tackles on the edge of his own penalty area but enjoys breaking forward from deep to join the attack.

His range of passing is perhaps something that could be improved as is his protection of the ball and knowing when to maintain possession, but this season the 22-year-old has added an increased goal threat to his game.

A match-winning brace away to Huracan gave Boca a valuable three points as they find themselves just a point off the league leaders at the half way point.

What next?

That may well depend on Boca and with such ambitious and expensive transfer plans, Meli may well be sacrificed. Bringing Carlos Tevez back to La Bombonera or renewing a deal for Daniel Osvaldo will not come cheap and Argentina is certainly not swimming in cash.

In Marcelo Meli, Boca have a 22-year-old midfielder, who was bought for a comparatively low fee and would represent a considerable profit if they were to hawk him to interested European clubs.

The likes of Benfica, AC Milan, Roma and Valencia have all made tentative approaches to Boca over the past year according to the press and if it were obvious he was available they would likely be joined by more.

 

Written by Peter Coates

Follow Peter on Twitter @golazoargentino

You can check out more of his excellent work on Argentinian football through his website, Golazo Argentino

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Portugal’s Primeira Liga: A Team of Transfer Targets from Portugal

  By O-Posts Team | June 16, 2024 - 16:32 | , , , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Portugal is not only a popular destination for holiday-makers during the summer months. Professional football clubs across Europe often turn to the Primeira Liga to boost their squads ahead of the new campaign.

Whether it’s a proven performer or a bargain-basement buy, there are plenty of high-quality options available for every club (and every budget) in Portugal’s top flight.

Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert brings you a viable transfer target for every position that could just be the footballer needed to improve your club.

 

Goalkeeper: Adriano Facchini (Gil Vicente)

It may seem odd singling out a goalkeeper from a team whose season ended in relegation. But towering Brazilian custodian Adriano once again showed he deserves a much bigger stage than one Gil Vicente can offer him, time and time again coming up with miraculous saves thanks to sharp reflexes, athleticism and his commanding 1.87m frame.

Having recently turned 32 he’s probably got another five years of good service in him.

Probable price: Free (out of contract)

 

Right-back: Cédric (Sporting)

Sporting’s attack-minded full-back has made steady progress in recent seasons, making it all the more surprising that the Lisbon giants let contract renewal talks drag on to a point of no return.

Already a full Portugal international, the improvements made in his defensive game allied to his natural inclination to support the attack effectively (his pin-point crossing a speciality) have drawn suitors from England with Southampton and Stoke said to be close to signing him.

Probable price: €5 million

 

Left-back: Alex Sandro (FC Porto)

“It didn’t surprise me that Danilo went to Real Madrid, and it won’t surprise me if Alex Sandro follows him,” said former Porto coach Vítor Pereira, a statement that is testament to the Brazilian’s quality.

Sandro is a tenacious defender with enviable energy levels as shown in his willingness to bomb forward when the opportunity presents itself and physically imposing. His big move will surely not be long in coming.

Probable price: €20 million

 

Centre-back: João Afonso (Vítoria Guimarães)

Plucked from the lower leagues, Afonso took to the Portuguese top flight effortlessly, putting in a series of near faultless performances throughout the season.

A classy defender who packs a punch – he is a real danger at the other end of the pitch at set pieces.

It would be no surprise to see the centre-back move up the ladder after just one season in the Primeira Liga.

Probable price: €3 million

 

Centre-back: Paulo Oliveira (Sporting)

Captured from Vitória Guimarães one year ago, the centre-back looked shaky at the start of his Sporting career but after establishing himself got better and better and ended the season as the undisputed boss of the Lisbon club’s back four.

Excellent sense of anticipation and extremely strong in the air – at both ends of the pitch – and an ability to learn and develop augur for a bright future.

Probable price: €15 million

 

Defensive midfielder: Danilo (Braga)

Currently shining brightly at the U20 World Cup in New Zealand, the 19-year-old Brazilian enjoyed a fabulous debut season in Portugal, putting in hugely impressive displays as a near ever-present for Braga despite the fact he is still a teenager.

With remarkable positional awareness for such a young player, a rugged but fair tackler and an accurate passer, there is little doubt Braga are sitting on a goldmine.

Probable price: €17 million

 

Right-sided midfielder: Bernard Mensah (Vitória Guimarães)

The young Ghanaian has enjoyed a highly productive season and is a big reason for Vitória’s strong showing.

Tall but mobile, able to pick out a pass and a goal threat in his own right, Mensah has a bright future in the game ahead of him.

Probable price: €7 million

 

Left-sided midfielder: Nico Gaitán (Benfica)

Supremely talented midfielder who oozes class, it is something of a surprise Benfica have been able to keep hold of their magical Argentine for so long.

Chiefly used wide left, but equally incisive when playing in the middle, Gaitán has the skillset to open the tightest of defences with a piercing throughball, unstoppable dribble or perfect shot.

Having given five years of outstanding service to the Lisbon giants, Gaitán is expected to move on this summer, with Manchester United rumoured to be the likely destination.

Probable price: €35 million

 

Attacking midfielder/false nine: Carlos Mané (Sporting)

The speedy and skilful Carlos Mané is another gem produced by Sporting’s famed Alcochete academy.

Marked his debut with a spectacular goal against Marítimo in 2013/14 and has continued to make good progress this season.

Initially used as a winger, he has proven equally comfortable in a more central position, and despite only recently turning 21, Mané already has 66 first-team appearances and 12 goals to his name.

 

Striker: Marco Matias (Nacional)

A late bloomer, Marco Matias enjoyed a wonderful season at Nacional, scoring 17 times at a better ratio than a goal every two games in the Primeira Liga to become the top Portuguese goalscorer in the league.

His strong, direct and single-minded approach has been too much to handle for most defences in Portugal.

Probable price: €4 million

 

Striker: Jackson Martínez (FC Porto)

Top scorer in each of his three years in Portugal, Colombian striker Jackson Martínez is at the very peak of his game. Brimming with power and guile, it is an open secret Porto’s goal machine will not be in Portugal next season.

Reported to be close to signing for AC Milan, but with transfer talks dragging on there may yet be time for a late gazump.

Probable price: €35 million

 

Written by Tom Kundert

Follow Tom on Twitter @PortuGoal1

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Football Quiz: Can you name the teams that have participated in the Champions League since its inception?

  By O-Posts Team | June 6, 2024 - 17:47 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment


 

 

Created by Sporcle

Check out their website for more fascinating quizzes

Follow them on Twitter @sporcle

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Portugal’s Primeira Liga: 2014/15 Team of the Season

  By O-Posts Team | June 6, 2024 - 14:05 | , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Over the course of the Portuguese football season you are guaranteed an abundance of sublime quality, along with the odd forgettable match and a considerable dose of controversy.

Here we dwell on the first of the three aspects from a 2014/15 season that provided no shortage of memorable moments. Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert picks his Primeira Liga team of the season.

 

Team of the Season Formation and Line-up (4-3-3)

 

GK: Matheus (Braga)

A newcomer to Portugal, the 22-year-old Brazilian wasted no time in making a positive impact. Big, strong, brave and with excellent reactions, Braga have a big talent on their hands.

 

RB: Maxi Pereira (Benfica)

The tireless Uruguayan right-back again proved a key component in Benfica’s defensive and attacking game. He was directly involved in 13 goals in 32 league matches (5 goals, 8 assists) for the champions – incredible stats for a right-back – even more so considering he also fulfilled his defensive duties with distinction.

 

LB: Tiago Pinto (Rio Ave)

Tiago Pinto began his career as a left-sided midfielder but it was upon being moved to left-back that he is finally making a name for himself as a high-quality player in his own right rather than being known as the son of ex Benfica, Sporting and Portugal striker João Pinto. Although 27 years old, his tenacious defending while providing solid support when venturing forward may yet earn him international caps.

 

CB: Luisão (Benfica)

The Benfica captain is like a fine bottle of red wine – he just gets better and better with age. The beanpole centre-back led his defence masterfully and upon winning his fourth Primeira Liga championship, Luisão became the non-Portuguese player with the most Liga titles ever won at Benfica. Richly deserved.

 

CB: João Afonso (Vitória Guimarães)

Cash-strapped Vitória Guimarães have done an incredible job putting together competitive teams in recent years despite having to rely on their youth ranks and scouring the lower leagues. João Afonso is an example of the latter.

Having been plucked from Portuguese third tier club Sport Benfica e Castelo Branco, the northerners seem to have hit gold again, Afonso seamlessly adapting to top-flight football with a series of classy and powerful displays at the heart of the defence.

 

MD: Danilo Pereira (Marítimo)

Rock solid defensive midfielder Danilo Pereira has been tipped for a big future ever since being part of the Portugal side that finished runners-up at the U20 World Cup held in Colombia in 2011.

Spells abroad in Italy, Greece and Holland followed, but it was this season that he truly “exploded” onto the scene, exuding strength, mobility and intelligence in the holding midfielder role, and earning his debut for the senior Portugal side. No wonder big clubs at home and abroad are said to be queuing up to sign him.

 

MD: Nicolas Gaitán (Benfica)

Quite simply the best creative midfielder in Portugal over the past three seasons at least. Nico Gaitán again spread his particular brand of Argentine magic and was often the key to finding a way past the many teams who inevitably chose to park the bus when facing Benfica.

 

MD: Óliver Torres (Porto)

The Spaniard interpreted Porto’s newly implemented possession game to perfection, showing remarkable ability to retain the ball even in the most congested of midfields and with time at a premium, always choosing the right moment to play a simple accurate pass or an incisive throughball, as well as being a potent goal threat.

Porto are desperate to try and extend his loan period from Atletico Madrid.

 

FW: Marco Matias (Nacional da Madeira)

The top Portuguese goalscorer in the Primeira Liga with 17 goals in 33 games, the 26-year-old enjoyed a wonderful season. Direct and single-minded, Matias was a terror on the loose for any defence to deal with – most couldn’t stop him.

 

FW: Jackson Martínez (Porto)

The Colombian striker finished top scorer in Portugal for the third straight season, and this year also thrived in Europe, netting 8 times in 10 Champions League games. The perfect combination of power, guile and efficient movement, Jackson is at the very top of his game and a move to a giant from one of Europe’s major leagues surely awaits him this summer.

 

FW: Jonas (Benfica)

Picked up on a free transfer after he was released by Valencia, the silky-skilled Brazilian striker exceeded all expectations. Scored goals galore (30 in 34 appearances), but his superb link-up play was just as important in propelling Benfica to their championship triumph.

 

Coach of the season: Jorge Jesus (Benfica)

Guided Benfica to their first back-to-back championships in 31 years despite having lost most of his starting line-up from the previous season in last summer’s transfer window.

Jorge Jesus has now led Benfica to three Primeira Liga triumphs, but this one is undoubtedly his greatest achievement.

 

Written by Tom Kundert

Follow Tom on Twitter @PortuGoal1

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Football Quiz: Can you name the football clubs with the most top division titles in each country?

  By O-Posts Team | May 27, 2024 - 19:03 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment


Created by Sporcle

Check out their website for more fascinating quizzes

Follow them on Twitter @sporcle

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Football Tip: How to Avoid Being a Sports Widow

  By O-Posts Team | May 17, 2024 - 19:49 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

When you dread seeing the leaves fall from the trees because it signals the start of football season, or cringe when the first crocus pops its head out of the soils because it means baseball is just around the corner, you may be a sports widow.

Sports widows are women who feel that their life and their needs take a backseat to their husband’s interest in sporting events. Rather than mourning the loss of your husband’s company during the sports season, why not join him in his interest and share some special together time?

 

If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘Em

While you’ve probably found ways to entertain yourself while your husband watched sports in the past, you may not have considered joining him in his enthusiasm. Even if you find sports mind-numbingly boring, there are ways to focus on other aspects of the festivities and draw your own enjoyment from the event.

This year, inform your husband that rather than complaining about his obsession with sports, you’d like to join him in his love of the game. Just stand back when you make your announcement in case he passes out from shock.

 

Dress the Part

Before the start of the season, go shopping. Buy yourself some new duds to wear while you watch the game. Team-oriented apparel is mandatory to put you in the proper frame of mind. If you’ve never worn a t-shirt with your team’s name emblazoned on it, you may be surprised how doing so can raise your enthusiasm level.

Check out the official team sites for apparel, or visit your local big box store. Grab a baseball cap and situate it atop a jaunty ponytail, or buy an oversized football jersey and wear it with a sexy pair of leggings or tights.

 

Block Out Your Schedule

In order to be able to enjoy game day, you may need to plan ahead. Clear your schedule, and ensure that there’s nothing else tugging at your attention while you settle in for quality time with your family. It’s hard to immerse yourself in the moment when the sink is full of dishes, you have laundry to do or you can’t quit thinking about how you need to balance your checkbook.

Get your work done ahead of time and free yourself to really watch the game with your attention on it.

 

Learn the Rules of the Game

While you don’t have to be an aficionado, you may want to gain a rudimentary understanding of the rules of the game. Visit a website, or pick up a book that breaks the game down into simple, understandable terms.

Better yet, ask your husband to explain the finer points of the action to you as the game goes along when he doesn’t mind.

 

Enjoy the Extras

Even if you find that you really can’t immerse yourself in the sports action, you can still enjoy a special day with your family and friends. Focus your attention on creating special dishes for the game. Make a cheese ball, spicy bean dip, a football-shaped meatloaf or any other recipe you choose for everyone to enjoy while the game is on. Women’s magazines and recipe websites abound with game-time treats.

Decorate the room where you’ll watch the game. Blow up balloons, and hang streamers in the team colors to surprise your family. They’ll be thrilled at your show of team spirit.

Even when sports aren’t your favorite activity, it’s still possible to turn any athletic event into valued family time, rather than isolating yourself from the action. Once you put forth the effort, you may be surprised at the results and actually find yourself looking forward to game day.

 

Written by Amie Taylor

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Ahmed Hassan Koka: Rio Ave’s Egyptian goal-getter primed to hit the big time

  By O-Posts Team | May 15, 2024 - 23:01 | , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Only close followers of Portuguese football are acquainted with him for now, but Egyptian striker Ahmed Hassan Mahgoub, known in Portugal by his middle name, has a decent shot at becoming a household name in the game in the coming years.

The tall Rio Ave marksman showed goal-scoring ability from the moment he was thrust into the first team when still a teenager, and has steadily improved over three seasons. Hassan’s goals go some way to explaining how one of Portugal’s more modest top-flight clubs has over-achieved throughout that period.

A wonderfully polished finisher, the Cairo-born centre-forward is a throwback to another era in that he is a striker who confines his whole game to the space in and around the attacking penalty area.

Hassan is neither fast nor particularly mobile, but his adeptness at losing his marker, ghosting into scoring positions and applying the lethal touch when the opportunity presents itself are qualities that will almost certainly lead to his signing for one of Portugal’s major clubs this summer.

 

Highly sought-after

Sporting have long been attempting to lure him to the Alvalade, but according to reports it is Lisbon rivals Benfica who have made the decisive move and Hassan is expected to check in for pre-season training ahead of 2015/16 as a Benfica player.

Asked to comment on a prospective move to the Estádio da Luz, veteran coach Manuel José, who managed Hassan as a youth player when in charge of Al Ahly, has few doubts he can make a big impact at the Portuguese champions elect.

“His characteristics as a player are much better suited to a big team that play near the opposition box than a smaller team. He’s improved greatly. He’s not the fastest but in the area he knows how to position himself very well and he’s a clinical finisher. He doesn’t just take a swing at the ball, he looks to use his technique to apply the finish,” said José.

“I’m convinced he has the scoring qualities to make it at Benfica. He played under me when he was just 18 in some friendly games in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and what impressed me most was the ease and calmness with which he aimed to score. Whether it was with his head or his foot he wouldn’t just whack the ball, he’d look to place it skilfully into the net. He recognises that in the box what you need is intelligence and technique - not force.”

One of Hassan’s most famous goals was an angled rocket shot angled into the top corner against Sporting this season (see below at 2:50), but the spectacular strike was the exception that proves the rule.

As Manuel José pointed out, Hassan’s ability to almost caress the ball into the net is evident in the following compilation of some of his best moments at Rio Ave:

 

‘Big club’ player

Every year the Big Three in the Primeira Liga (Benfica, Porto and Sporting) pluck the outstanding performers from Portugal’s smaller clubs. Most of them struggle to make an impact. José believes Hassan will buck that particular trend and make a smooth transition.

“Some players are big players for a small club, but when they go to a big club they turn into a small player. Hassan won’t have this problem. I don’t think he’ll wilt under the pressure of playing for Benfica. He played for a huge club in Egypt, Al Ahly, who have 60 million supporters – curiously it’s another team that plays in red and has an Eagle as its crest.

“He’s used to the pressure that goes with playing for a massive club. Compare that to [Benfica striker] Derley this season. Derley came from a small 2nd division club in Brazil, he was a beast for Marítimo, but at Benfica he completely vanished.”

Hassan’s build and style have been compared to Benfica legend Oscar Cardozo, the club’s all-time highest foreign scorer. Hassan will be hoping he can soar to similar heights with the Eagle on his chest.

 

Written by Tom Kundert

Follow Tom on Twitter @PortuGoal1

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Benfica’s Andre Almeida: Time to stick or twist

  By O-Posts Team | April 26, 2024 - 15:07 | , , ,
Leave a comment

A series of star-studded Benfica sides have enjoyed considerable success domestically and abroad over recent seasons. In a club that employs a constant revolving door policy with regard to the playing squad, the unchanging pillars of the side, although few and far between, play a pivotal role.

Captain Luisão and right-back Maxi Pereira are the foremost examples, but utility player André Almeida has proven an equally crucial cog to keep Benfica’s engine purring smoothly amid the frenetic comings and goings.

He has never done anything other than a thoroughly competent job when called upon to play at right-back, left-back, or as a defensive midfielder. The fact he is asked to switch between all three roles has denied him the opportunity to excel in any one of them over a sustained period of time, when his flawless performances suggest it would not be beyond him.

Tactically astute, a good tackler, accurate passer and a tireless worker Almeida would be a certain starter in almost any other team in Portugal, and his relatively infrequent appearances have done no damage to his reputation as a dependable, albeit unspectacular, performer.

Coach Jorge Jesus likes his full-backs to bomb forward, something which does not come naturally to Almeida, although the two excellent assists in the recent 5-1 hammering of Académica de Coimbra shows he’s no slouch in the attacking third. But it’s his staunch defensive qualities that are most appreciated, and the Lisbon-born player has often been selected in the starting XI over the usual incumbent for crunch games when Benfica adopt a more circumspect approach.

As for international football, specialists in the positions he usually fills in for naturally get the nod ahead of a jack-of-all-trades, although in tournament play this very adaptability is an important trump card in his favour, and one which earned him a place in Portugal’s 2014 World Cup squad. He has 8 senior Portugal caps to his name.

Still only 24 years old, Almeida is edging towards 100 appearances in his four years at Benfica, and may feel the time has come to either stick or twist – to seek assurances of a more prominent role in the team or to further his career elsewhere.

 

Written by Tom Kundert

Follow Tom on Twitter @PortuGoal1

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts