Benfica kick off new Mourinho era with dominant 3-0 victory at AVS | OneFootball

There was a healthy turnout in Vila das Aves for José Mourinho’s highly anticipated return to Portuguese football, and there were plenty of positives for the Benfica supporters that made the trip to the Estádio do CD das Aves. A clean sheet, three goals from three different scorers and, most importantly, three points for the visitors. “The Special One” began his second stint at Benfica with an impressive 3-0 victory against AVS on Saturday night.

AVS can be proud of their display, especially in the first half. The team produced some good football in the first 40 minutes, and if Tomané had been able to capitalise on a glorious opportunity to take the lead just before the half, the story may have been different for the home side. In the end, goals from Georgiy Sudakov, Vangelis Pavlidis and Franjo Ivanovic were enough to give Benfica their fourth win of the season.

AVS drop to last place in the standings, after managing just one point from their first six fixtures. The Eagles jump from sixth to second-place in the table, and will hope to carry this momentum into Tuesday’s clash against Rio Ave.

Cagey opening 30 minutes

After a chaotic week where Benfica saw Bruno Lage dismissed and Mourinho hired, the spotlight was on the new manager as he looked to make his mark in his first match. This was considered by many to be a game Benfica had to win, and the manager decided to come out with an attacking formation, selecting two strikers up front. Pavlidis and Ivanovic both started the match, along with attacking midfielder Sudakov. The only real change from Mourinho and Lage’s starting eleven was the omission of Schjelderup, who had become a regular under the former manager.

The Lisbon side lacked fluidity in the first five minutes, but there was some more bite and intensity to this Benfica side. In the 11th minute, their hard work paid off. Dahl’s low cross was met by Ríos in the box. His shot was blocked, but Ivanovic was on hand to pounce on the rebound and tap the ball into the net. A lengthy VAR review ensued, and the goal was eventually chalked off after the referee ruled the ball had crossed the goal line before Dahl’s cross.

AVS were dealt an early blow when Bruno Lourenço limped off the pitch. Pedro Lima was brought on to replace the injured midfielder.

The game continued to be played out in the middle of the park with both sides struggling to create chances in the first 15 minutes. In the 18th minute, Ivanovic had a legitimate penalty claim after right back Sidi Bane reached for the ball in the penalty box. The referee deemed that the defender had, in fact, made contact with the ball.

Benfica’s passing gradually improved, and Sudakov earned a free kick in a dangerous position a few moments later. Ríos stepped up and ballooned the ball over the net, wasting a promising opportunity.

In the 33rd minute, a beautifully weighted pass from Aursnes found Ivanovic in the box. The Croatian rounded the keeper well and even managed to wrap his football around the ball and get his shot on target. Unfortunately for him, Devenish was waiting in front of the goal to clear the ball and keep the score level.

AVS maintained their shape, but weren’t simply sitting back. Oscar Perea looked particularly dangerous down the left wing, testing Dedić every chance he got.

In the 39th minute, disaster almost struck for Mourinho and his men. Tomané did it alone after a smart run down the centre of the pitch, and caught on to the ball just outside of the penalty box. His powerful shot seemed to be heading for the back of the net, but it hit the right post. The striker was inches away from giving AVS an unlikely lead, and Trubin, who was left frozen, would’ve had no chance if it was on target.

Ríos, who was one of the hardest-working players in the first half, responded almost immediately with a left-footed shot that sailed wide.

Sudakov records his first goal for Eagles

As the first 45 minutes came to a close, Benfia pushed bodies forward. Otamendi latched onto a cross from Pavlidis, but missed badly.

There was plenty of buzz when Benfica were able to secure the signature of Sudakov from Shakhtar Donetsk, and the midfielder rewarded his new club with his first goal on Saturday evening. To the relief of the Benfiquistas (and probably Mourinho), the goal finally came in added time. Ríos’ pass from the middle of the pitch found Pavlidis in a dangerous position. The AVS defenders swarmed the forward, and the ball eventually fumbled around before landing to Sudakov. The Ukrainian lashed a left-footed shot from just outside the six-yard box, beating keeper Simão to hand Benfica a 1-0 lead.

It wasn’t the prettiest goal to kick off the Mourinho era, but certainly one the Portuguese manager would welcome, and one that came at a critical stage of the match. Mourinho jogged into the changing rooms at the half like a man on a mission. Despite the late goal, the 62-year-old looked unimpressed with his team’s first-half performance.

Pavlidis converts from the spot to double Benfica's lead

Sudakov was fantastic on the night. The 23-year-old had Benfica’s first chance of the second half in the 54th minute, curling a right-footed shot from the left side, which was well saved by Simão.

Benfica’s pressure continued, and they were handed a fortunate bounce when they were awarded a penalty in the 56th minute. Sudakov was once again involved, launching a free kick towards the back post. As Otamendi went up for the header, Sidi Bane arrived late, and his elbow appeared to connect with the defender’s mouth. Otomendi eventually made it back up to his feet, and Pavlidis stepped up to the spot. The Greek forward had been quiet until that point, but did well to rocket his penalty into the top left corner of the goal. It was his fifth goal of the season in all competitions.

Ivanovic’s strike secures dream start for Mourinho

Ivanovic had also been lively during the match and was rewarded with a goal of his own in the 64th minute. Pavlidis’ pass connected with the Croatian striker who had made a driving run into the middle of the box. Ivanovic waited patiently as the ball bounced across his body before hammering a shot into the goal. Mourinho showed his emotion on the sideline, punching the air in celebration as Benfica took a commanding lead.

Guilherme Neiva came close to pulling one back for the home side in the 74th, but his close-range header drifted just wide.

Mourinho brought on Tomás Araújo, Gianluca Prestianni and João Rego late in the match as he looked to end the night without conceding. Benfica held on for a comprehensive 3-0 victory, a dream start for the legendary manager and his coaching staff.

AFS 0-3 Benfica highlights

Lineups:

AVS: Simão Bertelli, Paulo Vitor, Sidi Bane, Cristian Devenish, Kiki Afonso (Leonardo Rivas, 66’), Babatunde Akinsola, Jaume Grau, Ángel Algobia (Rafael Barbosa, 79’), Óscar Perea (Guilherme Neiva, 66’), Bruno Lourenço (Pedro Lima 15’), Tomané (Diego Duarte, 79’)