Atlético v Benfica: Mourinho brings out big guns for Cup push | OneFootball

Benfica was back in action this Friday, November 21, returning to their Portuguese Cup commitments. In a fourth-round match, the Eagles visited Atlético. After a complicated first half, José Mourinho was forced to turn to the players most used this season to secure a 2-0 victory. See HERE how the match unfolded.

José Mourinho debuted a three-center-back defense in the first half, with António Silva, Otamendi, and Tomás Araújo. The experiment did not go as planned: Benfica struggled to create chances and failed to generate goal-scoring opportunities. The first half ended with the score still at zero.

In the second half, José Mourinho was forced to call upon Benfica’s heavyweights to try to resolve the game against Atlético. The gamble paid off when, in the 73rd minute, Richard Ríos opened the scoring. Just four minutes later, it was Pavlidis’ turn to score, this time from the penalty spot. In extra time, another penalty was awarded to the Eagles, but this time Otamendi missed. The referee blew the final whistle soon after, and the game ended 2-0 on the scoreboard.

With this win – the 14th in 23 games this season – Benfica moves forward in the Portuguese Cup, thus overcoming the fourth round of the competition, where last season they only fell in the final, against Sporting.

The Eagles now turn their attention to the Champions League, where they will face Ajax. The match, which will be played away, is scheduled for next Tuesday, November 25, at 8:00 pm, where the Eagles will try to build on their victory against Atlético.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.