Benfica second string shambles

Benfica have nothing to play for in the league and with a game on Thursday away to PSV in the return leg, it was another chance for Jorge Jesus (from the stands) to swap the entire starting 11 and throw in Benfica’s second team.
I tuned in to see a match, in the back of my mind I thought, ‘’it won’t be a pretty game, but let me see the boys’’ after all they seemed to produce some football against Portimonense a while back.

Little did I know I was in for a shock.
As a Benfiquista I would not generally be happy to tune in and watch my team.

But we all as supporters have the right to criticise when the performance is below par, when the team does not push for the win or even strive to produce the necessary performance even in a loss.

But when that loss is due to a very large number of players, being paraded as the second option or the long term replacement to some of the 1st eleven, not performing or just simply relying on the name Benfica to win a game, it’s a bit hard to swallow.

I agree we can’t fully expect to change the full eleven and win matches week in and week out, no team will take the full eleven one day and be able to beat the likes of Sporting, Porto , Braga and in Europe.

But when players are asked to come in and beat a team like Naval (no offence intended) they should be good enough, they should work hard enough, show desire, commitment, and passion.

We have to look at Arsenal, FA Cup is where they showcased their talent, and they brought on a squad of young players, whom played to the same standard as the established eleven.
Manchester United brought on an almost changed squad for cups and with the youngsters performing well.
Why? They had all intentions on showing the Gaffer they deserved their place, they showed passion and won games.

Last night in the squad there were players unable to even show they were worth the few and wages paid out, the arrogance of walking on to a pitch and not putting enough effort was shameful and somewhat disappointing to even watch.

Why is it important to perform? Well for the simple fact that when this happens again, no one will tune in, the stadiums will be half full if not much less. Why would anyone travel to watch a miserable performance from the second string that we already know won’t give their all or at least a few faces that did not perform to the standard of the eagle.

But that said, bring on PSV with a full squad.