Four games, four wins. On matchday four, Benfica beat P. Ferreira in Luz and maintained the record for outright victory in the Primeira Liga, rising to the isolated lead with one more point than Sp. Braga — three from FC Porto and eight from Sporting. Still, contrary to what it may seem, it is not that rare. Especially since the Reds have won the first four rounds of the Championship for three consecutive seasons.
Ti Emílio is proud of his nephew David (Benfica-P. Ferreira chronicle)
However, if we also look at the four victories in the knockout rounds to access the Champions League, the balance is obviously positive. Roger Schmidt’s team conceded the first goals in the Championship on Tuesday, both scored by Koffi, and he knew how to react at the end of the first half to a moment that could turn very adverse to the strategy presented by the people from Badajoz.
Individually, David Neres scored and was once again crucial in Benfica’s offensive movement, João Mário scored another goal and also assisted, Rafa maintains a high level of display and Enzo Fernández is the driver of the entire team. To all this is added Gonçalo Ramos, who also scored again and already has the best personal start of the last two years, reaching 20 goals for Benfica’s main team.
⌚️Final whistle: SLB 3-2 FCPF
There are 3 consecutive seasons that Benfica has a 100% victorious start in the first 4 days:
2020/21: +10 diff goals
2021/22: +6 diff. goals
2022/23: +9 diff. goals pic.twitter.com/D551ftzMnw— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) August 30, 2022
In the quick interview area, the Portuguese striker explained that it was “a good game”. “We played good football and got the three points. All games will be difficult. I feel good with this new ID.Hey, the most important thing is that we win and with this calendar there is no time to stop”. he shot at Ramos, who remains the manager’s favorite striker, especially after Yaremchuk left for Club Brugge in Belgium.
Roger Schmidt, also in lightning interviewHe did not fail to point out the “important victory” in a “difficult game”. “We played well in the first half but, especially after the break, we created a lot of chances. When you don’t kill the game you have to fight until the end. The rival believed and we had to fight but, in the end, I think we deserved to win. It was a good start, but it’s only a good start. On Friday we already have another match and then we have the start of the Champions League. It’s a tough start”, said the German coach, already anticipating the reception of Vizela and also Maccabi Haifa.
⌚️Final whistle: SLB 3-2 FCPF
You have to go back to Benfica’s perfect season with Jimmy Hagan (1972/73), exactly 50 years ago, to see 3+ goals per game in the first 4 games of the season at Luz. pic.twitter.com/W42ngn52cO
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) August 30, 2022
Source: Observadora
