Couto predicts hot Porto-Benfica, warns Eagles: “Anything can happen” | OneFootball

The clash between FC Porto and Benfica promises strong emotions. Jorge Couto, a former Dragons player, expects a “heated” duel at the Estádio do Dragão and highlights the balance that usually marks this type of encounter, especially considering the good form both teams are in.

“In these games it is always difficult to give either team any kind of favoritism. Given the balance, anything can happen,” said the former winger, speaking to Lusa. Even so, Jorge Couto admits that home advantage could give the Porto side a slight edge.

The former footballer, who played for Porto’s first team between 1989/90 and 1995/96, also highlighted the continuity in the blue-and-white squad. In his opinion, keeping much of the structure from the previous season, together with signings aimed at specific positions, has allowed the Dragons to retain a strong group.

“It still has a good squad, a strong squad for the competitions it is involved in. It is important that a squad is not just 11 players, or 14, but all 22,” he explained. Jorge Couto believes squad depth could play a decisive role at a later stage of the season, when fatigue starts to be felt.

And that ability is also recognized at Benfica. The Eagles arrive at the Dragão after an important 2-0 win over Milan in the Europa League, in a match in which Marco Silva made several changes: “It was a sign that the squad works well and is very well prepared for the demands of the competitions it is involved in,” Jorge Couto concluded.

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