Pavlidis to be Benfica’s top scorer? The mastermind revealed | OneFootball

The secret to Vangelis Pavlidis' recent goal-scoring streak - who has his eyes on Eusébio's record - has a name: José Mourinho. The coach identified the need for adjustments and expressly asked the Greek player to spend less time in deeper positions and focus more on the penalty area. The instruction was clear: stop being an overly mobile forward and become a lethal finishing reference.

Physical freshness resulted in Pavlidis' performance boost

The immediate results of this tactical change were evident in the away match against Moreirense. The number 14 had a dream night, scoring three goals in the game. This hat-trick served as definitive proof that constant proximity to the opponent's goal enhances the best qualities of the Greek striker.

Another decisive factor for the performance boost was the intelligent physical management promoted by the coach. The forward appeared with high freshness levels, a result of the rest granted during the demanding European clash against Napoli. The strategic rotation allowed the player to recharge and explode competitively upon returning to the national championship.

The change in technical command radically transformed the athlete's effectiveness. Under Bruno Lage, the forward scored only four goals in 10 games. Under Mourinho's guidance, Vangelis Pavlidis' numbers soared: 15 goals and two assists in 18 matches, demonstrating much higher productivity in the new offensive dynamic instituted.

Throughout the current season and serving Benfica, the player – valued at 35 million euros – stands out as the undeniable figure of the team's attack. The 27-year-old Greek international has, so far, scored a total of 19 goals in 28 official matches played.

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