Portuguese Primeira Liga Key Battles: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SL-Benfica-c40542
The rivalry of the Portistas and the Eagles is set to be reignited today when the two powerhouses slug it out at Estadio do Dragao. Bettor.com analyzes the key battles of the mouth-watering tie.
1. 1. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oscar-c28720 Cardozo vs. Rolando
Benfica’s in-form forward, Oscar Cardozo, has so far made mincemeat of the defenders he has played against but facing an experienced centre-back like http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rolando-c31583 is a different prospect altogether.
A victim of the 28-year-old was Manchester United’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jonny-Evans-c19085, who was brutally exposed by Cardozo with his sublime close control and ability to use both his feet to equal effectiveness.
His dribbling abilities are also something which are not to be taken lightly and Porto boss, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vitor-c36281 Pereira, will command his players to stop the ball from getting to him in the first place.
When he does get the ball, it’s not going to be easy getting back but Rolando will have to try his best.
The Dragao favourite was linked with a move to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 over the summer but in a rare display of loyalty the defender committed his future to the Portuguese champions. Being an integral part of the quadruple winning 2010/2011 side, he has come across Cardozo
and has got the better of him on more than one occasion.
Paraguayan International, Cardozo, has been labelled as failure whenever he has come played against Porto. During his time in the Primeira Liga, the attacker has encountered the Dragons multiple times but has never been able to do anything worthwhile.
However, given the form he is currently in, it looks like an even challenge, in which the more determined player will come out on top.
1. 2. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hulk-c16436 vs. Luisao
The star of his side and the tormentor of all opponents he plays against, Hulk is looking even more deadly than last season.
Taking over the role as the talismanic forward from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Radamel-Falcao-c30276, the attacker has not been ruthless but has been scoring goals, left, right and centre. Originally thought to be out for this fixture, Hulk has been deemed fit for the clash and will be rearing
to go.
Charged with the ominous task of preventing his International teammate from getting on the score-sheet is Luisao, who is a star in his own right.
The lanky defender was rumoured to be on the verge of a switch to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, however, he changed his decision at the last moment and decided to stay put at Estadio da Luz.
Up until now, the experienced veteran hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down and contrary to that, he has rather taken steps forward.
Silencing http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wayne-Rooney-c36736 at the moment is a feat not all defender can achieve but Luisao was able to do it. He prevented the English forward from orchestrating the game when the two sides met last week.
Luisao, given his massive 6-foot-4 inch frame, is an ideal opponent for the former Tokyo Verdy man and is going to be hard to get away from.
However, Hulk is a different kind of front-man and usually relies on trickery to get past his man. With the backing of the home crowd, the Selecao International will pull out all stops to ensure he gets to the score-sheet and it’s the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 of the Benfica
skipper to make sure that it doesn’t happen.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect the official editorial policy of Bettor.com
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