Benfica hammer Hearts 6-1 in Europa League as Marco Silva benches Trubin for Soares

Benfica demolish Hearts 6-1 in Europa League qualifier

Benfica opened their Europa League third qualifying round campaign with a 6-1 win over Scottish side Hearts at the Estadio da Luz. Rafa, Tomas Araujo and Vangelis Pavlidis, from a penalty, gave the home side a 3-0 lead before half-time. Gianluca Prestianni, Jhon Duran and Andreas Schjelderup, also from a penalty, added three more after the break. Tom Renaud scored Hearts' consolation in the 72nd minute, leaving Benfica with a comfortable advantage for the return leg in Scotland.

Soares starts as Trubin drops to the bench

Marco Silva's most discussed decision was handing goalkeeper Samuel Soares a starting berth over Anatoliy Trubin. The Ukrainian, who had been whistled by sections of the Benfica support in recent matches, watched from the substitutes' bench. After the match, Trubin posted on social media: "Today all the fans are happy. Bravo team." The message quickly became a talking point, with some interpreting it as a pointed reference to the supporters who had criticised him. Soares also posted, writing: "Thank you, God, for this opportunity! In search of more and better." Trubin responded to his teammate's post with clapping and fire emojis.

Silva dismissed any suggestion the decision was linked to transfer speculation surrounding Trubin. "I never put players in the starting eleven to then indicate something about who doesn't play. That's your job and you're the ones who take it down that path. My decision is purely technical," the coach said, noting that Trubin had started the first two matches while Soares had previously started against Villarreal, with Trubin then facing Flamengo.

Rafa Silva's evolving role

Marco Silva discussed Rafa Silva's positional evolution, saying the Portuguese international is naturally suited to a central role rather than playing on the flanks. The coach explained that pre-season constraints, including Schjelderup not being at his best level, Lukebakio's involvement at the World Cup and Prestianni's suspension, had forced him to use Rafa more on the flanks in the opening official matches.

A player who clearly is much more of a central corridor player nowadays. I think he was almost always a more central corridor player; playing often over a corridor, he often sought the central corridor too. Naturally, with age, he has been playing much more regularly as a third midfielder, a second striker, and that is clearly the position, or the area of the pitch, let's say, where he feels most comfortable.

Duran scores on debut, Prestianni earns his chance

Colombian striker Jhon Duran marked his appearance with a goal, but Silva tempered expectations. "A goal always gives confidence to any striker and for Duran it won't be different," he said, before adding that the forward "will have to continue to work hard to be an option for us." Silva also discussed the differences between Duran and Pavlidis, suggesting the pair could play together given Pavlidis's ability to drop into a deeper role as a second striker.

Prestianni started on his return from suspension, with Silva insisting that "there are no guaranteed places" at a club of Benfica's size. The coach praised the Argentine's work ethic during the weeks he was unavailable: "He knew he couldn't play, but he was aware he had to work harder than the others to show the quality he has and why he deserves the place."

Regarding Pavlidis, who has been linked with a move to Turkey, Silva praised the Greek striker's professionalism: "He has conducted himself as a great professional, as a very important player for the club and as someone who really likes being where he is."