Vítor Manuel, a former Portuguese footballer and current football analyst, has weighed in on Benfica’s recent struggles, which includes two consecutive losses to FC Porto and Inter Milan. According to Manuel, Benfica’s starting eleven has remained consistent with few substitutions, which may account for player fatigue at this stage of the season. Manuel argues that opponents have now become familiar with Benfica’s playing style and dynamics, requiring the team to “reset” and make changes to their strategy. Regarding the coach’s role in correcting the team’s poor start, Manuel stresses that winning is crucial to improving performance. Although the Champions League remains uncertain, Manuel suggests that the team may need to make some lineup changes, including the return of Neres to the starting lineup, due to the absence of Florentino and the potential debuts of the “unknown” Nordic players. Manuel emphasizes the importance of the upcoming game against Chaves, calling it a “Champions League final” for Benfica. Benfica cannot afford to lose any more points and must win convincingly to regain the confidence of their fans before the game against Inter Milan. Overall, Manuel believes that Benfica’s current form requires a more “operational” approach – winning by any means necessary, even if it means abandoning their typical playing style. As Benfica seeks to regain momentum in the final stages of the season, their performance against Chaves will be vital to building confidence and taking on the challenge of the Champions League.
