Choque no Onze do Benfica: Surpresas Incríveis para o Hearts!
Benfica Shakes Things Up: A Beginner’s Guide to Their New Lineup Against Hearts
What’s Happening?
Imagine you’re playing a video game and you decide to swap out almost your entire defense right before a big match. That’s basically what Benfica (a famous Portuguese football team) did for their important European game against Hearts (a Scottish team from Edinburgh).
This isn’t just a friendly kickabout—it’s the second leg of the UEFA Europa League 3rd qualifying round. Think of it like a playoff series where the winner advances to the main tournament group stage.
The Big Picture: Only 4 Players Kept Their Spots
Out of the 11 players who started the previous game (against Académico de Viseu on Sunday), only four are starting again today. That’s a massive rotation!
The "Survivors" (Players Starting Again)
| Player | Position | Why They Stayed |
|---|---|---|
| Samuel Soares | Goalkeeper | The last line of defense |
| Clément Lenglet | Center-back | Experienced leader, only defender kept |
| Enzo Barrenechea | Midfielder | Engine in the middle of the park |
| Heorhii Sudakov | Attacking midfielder | Creative spark up front |
IMPORTANT POINT:
Lenglet is the ONLY defender from Sunday’s game starting today. The entire back four has been rebuilt around him!
The Brand New Defense (Back Four)
Benfica’s coach, Marco Silva, built a completely fresh defensive unit. Let’s meet them:
1. Amar Dedić – Right Back
- Who: Bosnian international (plays for Bosnia & Herzegovina)
- Interesting tidbit: He’s starting even though Benfica is negotiating his transfer to Newcastle United (English Premier League). Talk about professionalism!
- Role: Defend the right side, join attacks down the wing
2. Manu Silva – Center Back (Next to Lenglet)
- Who: Portuguese player, new to Benfica this season
- Big news: This is his first time starting as a center-back for Benfica!
- But he’s not a rookie: He played this exact position for Feirense and Vitória de Guimarães (other Portuguese teams). He knows the job.
- Why now? Since António Silva left, the team has been training Manu as a backup center-back. They haven’t signed a replacement yet.
3. José Neto – Left Back
- Who: Young Portuguese talent (only 18-19 years old!)
- Pedigree: European AND World Champion at U17 level with Portugal’s youth teams
- Big moment: This is his first start of the entire season — what a stage to debut on!
The Rest of the New Faces
It’s not just the defense—midfield and attack got a makeover too:
| Player | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Ríos | Central Midfielder | Colombian international, first start this season |
| Dodi Lukebakio | Winger/Forward | Belgian international, first start this season |
| Andreas Schjelderup | Winger | Norwegian youngster, first start this season |
| Jhon Durán | Striker | Brand new signing! Colombian star, first start in a Benfica shirt |
Why So Many Changes? The Coach’s Master Plan
Marco Silva explained it perfectly in his pre-match press conference:
"We want to give minutes to players who joined the preparation late — like they hopped on a moving train."
The Strategy in Simple Terms:
- Squad rotation — Keep everyone fresh for a long season
- Integration — Help new signings and late arrivals get match fitness
- Reward training — Players who work hard in practice get game time
- Tactical surprise — Hearts prepared for one lineup, get another!
Gabriel Índio (another young defender) will be on the bench as backup.
Today’s Complete Starting XI
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Samuel Soares |
| Right Back | Amar Dedić |
| Center Backs | Manu Silva • Clément Lenglet |
| Left Back | José Neto |
| Central Midfield | Enzo Barrenechea • Richard Ríos |
| Right Wing | Dodi Lukebakio |
| Attacking Mid | Heorhii Sudakov |
| Left Wing | Andreas Schjelderup |
| Striker | Jhon Durán |
Formation: 4-2-3-1 (Four defenders, two defensive midfielders, three attacking midfielders, one striker)
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Hearts vs. Benfica |
| Competition | UEFA Europa League — 3rd Qualifying Round, 2nd Leg |
| Kickoff | 19:45 (7:45 PM local time) |
| Stadium | Tynecastle Park |
| Location | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Watch Live | Follow minute-by-minute here |
Summary
- Benfica made 7 changes from their last game — a massive rotation!
- Only 4 players kept their spots: Soares, Lenglet, Barrenechea, Sudakov
- Entire defense rebuilt around Lenglet: Dedić (RB), Manu Silva (CB), José Neto (LB)
- Manu Silva starts at center-back for the first time for Benfica (but has experience)
- José Neto (U17 double world champ) gets his first start of the season
- Four attacking players make their season debuts: Ríos, Lukebakio, Schjelderup, Durán
- Coach Marco Silva planned this to integrate late-arriving players
- Match at 19:45 in Edinburgh — winner advances toward Europa League group stage
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Why would a coach change so many players for an important European game?
Great question! It looks risky, but Marco Silva is thinking long-term. The season is a marathon, not a sprint. He needs everyone fit and sharp. Players who joined late (like Durán) need real game minutes to gel with teammates. Plus, Benfica likely has a lead from the first leg (or feels confident), so they can afford rotation.
2. Is Manu Silva really ready to play center-back in a big European match?
Yes! While it’s his first start for Benfica at center-back, he’s played there extensively for Feirense and Vitória de Guimarães in Portugal’s top flight. The coach has also been training him there specifically since António Silva left. He’s not learning on the job — he’s returning to a familiar role.
3. Why is Amar Dedić playing if he might leave for Newcastle?
Professionalism. Until a transfer is officially completed, a player under contract gives 100%. Sitting him would hurt team morale and his own value. Plus, he might stay! Football transfers are unpredictable.
4. Who is Jhon Durán and why is he starting immediately?
Durán is a Colombian international striker Benfica just signed. He’s young, fast, scores goals, and the coach clearly likes what he sees in training. Starting him away in Europe shows massive trust — or a need for his specific qualities against Hearts’ defense.
5. What happens if Benfica loses this game?
It’s the second leg of a two-game series. The aggregate score (total goals across both games) decides who advances. If Benfica won the first leg at home, they have a cushion. If it’s tied or they’re behind, this game is do-or-die. Either way — expect drama!
Enjoy the match! Whether you’re a die-hard Benfica fan or just learning the beautiful game, tonight’s lineup tells a fascinating story about squad management, trust in youth, and tactical courage.