Estrela da Amadora host Benfica on Sunday, 8 November, as Pepa calls for near-perfect play

Pepa wants a near-perfect performance

Estrela da Amadora host Benfica at the José Gomes stadium on Sunday, 8 November, at 20:30, in round 11 of the Primeira Liga. Pepa said his side will have to come close to perfection to compete with the visitors, and he framed the match as a challenge to meet rather than simply a source of suffering. The coach described the week of preparation as intense and competitive, and said the group is giving a strong response even though the results have not come. Estrela arrive on a run of four consecutive league defeats and have conceded in every match they have played this season.

“We want to enjoy the game, compete and hold on to what we control.”

Pepa acknowledged that his side has lacked efficiency at both ends of the pitch, with defensive lapses and small details costing points. He said the team must improve a great deal in that area if it is to take anything from a Benfica side with real depth.

Benfica's shape and Silva's plan

Pepa praised the depth and quality of Benfica's squad and said the team shows a clear imbalance between its left and right sides in attacking organisation, whoever plays there. He singled out Palhinha for his reach and cover in midfield, and Lenglet for his ball distribution and experience.

“The Benfica side is easy to identify, but very difficult to stop.”

Marco Silva, answering a question from Bola na Rede, explained that dropping the holding midfielder would free the left-back, and said the characteristics of El Karouani help with this even though Dahl also does it well. Silva added that Estrela could drop their No 6 between the centre-backs to form a line of five, and that Benfica would have to move that defensive line to find space.

Squad news and the goalkeeping choice

Silva confirmed that Lenglet is available again and said Samuel Soares is expected to keep goal. He described Alessandro Circati as young and still adapting, calling him aggressive and quick without the ball while noting that Benfica's play with the ball asks for very different decisions. Silva said Circati is on the same level as Tomás and Lenglet in the pecking order, and that the choice would always be the club's. Eddy Doué and Beni Souza miss the match, and Pepa had earlier said a disciplinary issue behind their absence from the Moreirense game was resolved, while pointing to internal matters for their absence now.

Silva said he has liked Trubin's performances, that Samu has been the league choice, and that all three goalkeepers have his confidence. He defended Trubin's decision-making in a goal Benfica conceded, and said Trubin has always shown he can play short.

Welcoming Paulo Fonseca

Silva welcomed Paulo Fonseca, Sporting's new coach, and recalled that the two shared a dressing room at Belenenses in 1996/97. He described his rival in clear terms.

“He is a very experienced coach with great maturity.”

Silva said they will meet again in a little over a month, when Sporting visit Benfica in round 16. He also praised Pepa's organisation of his teams, while noting that the recent results have not been the best and that the Reboleira ground is a difficult place to play.