Aguiar set to start in Lisbon derby (article)

[Guest Jeffery S.]

From Record today, an interesting article says that even though Petit is back training, Aguiar will likely keep his starting spot with Benfica in this weekend's match vs. Sporting Lisbon. If you check out the link to the article, there are fan comments that are very positive towards the presence of "Robocop" on the team, even though most agree that Petit, international with Portugal, is more technical. Note that the team has not lost in the month that Fernando has been a starter. If Benfica wins they'll jump ahead of Sporting into the 2nd spot in the league.

(In other news, Benfica has drawn a bye into the quarter finals of the Portuguese Cup, seven other matches will be played Jan 14 to decide who'll be there with them).

Here is the English translation of the Portuguese article, with photo, at http://www.record.pt/noticia.asp?id=381600&idCanal=11

FERNANDO AGUIAR SHOULD STAY ON THE TEAM

'Robocop' is free to play

The return of Petit should not take away Fernando Aguiar's starting role

Fernando Aguiar seems to be immovable on the starting eleven of Benfica for the derby this Sunday vs. Sporting, and the return of Petit to training sessions this week should not mean that the Canadian mifielder will lost his spot.

Benfica's number 16 has won the affection of fans and Camacho does not want to lose his combative character for a game where the "encarnados" are going to meet a team with a physically strong midfield.

At this time, the doubt seems to be the use of Petit as starter after being out for a month, without putting into question the spot of his natural "rival" on the team. The truth is that since the Portuguese international was injured vs. Molde in November, Aguiar has latched onto the spot beside Tiago in the middle, and the team has not had to taste defeat, with the worst result the draw to Marítimo.

The battle for the spot even was to give rise to inflamatory public declarations by both players, leading to the intervention of Camacho. If the use of Fernando Aguiar seems to be certain, the same could not be said of the other places in the midfield and up front. More than a question of players, the question seems to be what tactical system the Spanish manager will use in the game against the "Lions".

Nuno Gomes will start in attack, with the doubt as to whether he will be beside Tomo Sokota or if Camacho will opt to use just one striker at the start, leaving Zahovic as a direct support directly behind the man up front.

Another of the questions still left open is the use of two wide wings (Simão and João Pereira) or the reinforcement of the midfield.

Author: JOÃO RUI RODRIGUES

Date: 30 December, 2003 01:43:00