Trabzonspor vs Benfica preview

August 2, 2011
By: Matthew Clarke

Having won the first game 2:0, Benfica are now hot favourites to go through, but things were not easy as they seem in the first leg for the Eagles, seeing they scored both goals in the final 20 minutes of the game.

Trabzonspor coach Senol Gunes decided to deploy a defence-minded approach at La Luz, and his tactics helped keep the opposition strikers at bay for more than an hour, but two late conceded goals meant that the Turks travel home in very poor spirits.

The Turkish side didn’t show much in the first leg apart from defensive organization and some potential for the counterattacks, but seeing they now trail Benfica by two goals, they will have to change their approach, that’s for sure.

The game will be played at Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, in front of the bumper crowd that could spur on the home side into all out attack.

With Benfica also possessing a lot of attacking potential, we are likely to see a high-scoring game, so bear in mind that over 2.5 goals pays 2.00 (1/1) with Bodog.

Coach Senol Gunes is unlikely to make big changes to the starting line-up, although new signing from Eintracht Halil Altintop could play some part after building up his fitness over the last week.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Zengin – Balci, Kacar, Glowacki, Celustka – Zokora, Colman – Yilmaz, Mierzejewski, Alanzinho – Paulo Henrique.

Benfica did well to earn a two-goal lead in the first leg, although they had a lot of problems breaking the defence-minded visitors.

Former Barcelona player Nolito opened the scoring after coming on for Enzo Perez, while Nicolas Gaitan scored late into the game to give his side a big lead before the return leg.

With Trabzonspor forced to attack their opponents in the return leg, Benfica will have a lot of space to exploit, and that is something highly skilled players such as Aimar, Gaitan, Saviola and others will know how to take advantage of.

Therefore, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Eagles record another win over the Turkish side, with Benfica now 2.20 (6/5) with Sportingbet to win in Turkey.

Winger Enzo Perez has missed the trip to Turkey because of an ankle problem and his place in the starting line-up will probably go to Nolito.

Miguel Vitor remains sidelined, while Joan Capdevila, Carlos Martins and Urreta were not registered for the competition.

Probable starting line-up (4-1-3-2): Arthur – Maxi Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Emerson – Javi Garcia – Nolito, Aimar, Gaitan – Cardozo, Saviola.

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