A trip to the Allianz Arena awaits Benfica in matchday four, and up until this point in the season, our most formidable challenge. Can the encarnados put together that perfect performance they almost pulled off at the Estádio da Luz?
Since that defeat, Benfica has stumbled their way to one win and two draws in all competitions.
When they seemed destined for a draw in Vizela, Rafa pulled a rabbit out of a hat in the last seconds to secure three points. They followed that up with an impressive first half against Vitória SC midweek in the Taça da Liga, only to throw a two-goal lead away. And most recently, having taken an early lead away to Estoril, complacency and lack of focus saw Jorge Jesus’ side concede a late goal, dropping them to third, one point behind their rivals Sporting and Porto.
The Portuguese manager was not happy with the match’s outcome and made it clear that his players could not lose their focus and concentration. We’ve seen these types of public outbursts have positive impacts in the past, but how will it play out this time around?
Measuring the changes away to Bayern is a tough ask. I know many of you are already in disagreement, but let’s put things in perspective here.
Last season, Bayern Munich lost five matches in all competitions. Four coming in the Bundesliga, all away from home, and one in the Champions League against PSG. At the Allianz Arena, they had four draws in all competitions. So, from just about 50 matches in all competitions, four draws, five defeats and 41 victories.
Looking at the 2019/20 season, there are four draws and five losses in all competitions; two losses and a draw at home in the Bundesliga.
All of this to explain something obvious; to beat a team of this caliber, and at their stadium, you need to put together a perfect performance. That means if you have two chances, you sure as hell better take them. And then, you need to ride your fortune to limit the clear chances the German’s may create because let’s be honest, they will have them.
Some will reference Bayern’s recent humbling defeat (5-0) away to B. Monchengladbach in the DFB Pokal. That was a perfectly executed plan by the hosts, which worked because when they got forward, they took their chances.
Had Benfica taken their chances at home, there’s no telling how that match finishes. Either Benfica would have been mentally lifted and pulled off a historic result, or it would have sparked the German’s to put it into another gear.
At the end of the day, as Benfica fans, we need to put the club’s name aside.
I understand we are Sport Lisboa e Benfica, but let’s contextualize that in today’s world and not keep carrying that name as if it’s 1961. Based on the name, we should compete with everyone, but that’s not the case today. Does that mean we can’t beat a club like Bayern Munich? Of course not, but remember this; Bayern Munich has the talent to win most matches without a perfect performance. As for Benfica and many others in Europe, anything less than perfection, especially in this competition, will not be good enough.
Currently second in the group with four points, Benfica still depends on themselves to progress to the knockout stage. If getting a point at home against the German and European Champions would be seen as a good result, you can imagine what a draw in Munich would mean.
From what we’ve seen in the last three matches, is there hope of pulling off that perfect performance? As optimistic as I am, I think we can all agree that the answer is no, but if this sport has taught us anything, it’s that there are no guarantees.
Outside of the result, Benfica fans will be looking for and expecting a performance with personality, fight, and determination. Going into the match, feeling sorry for yourself is already a losing mentality that will not end well.
Will Jorge Jesus put together a game plan that will surprise the hosts? Will Bayern rest some players, given that they’ve essentially already booked their place in the next round? Could Dynamo Kyiv make things interesting by getting at least a point against Barcelona?
As you can see, many questions surround this match, but the most important of them is; which Benfica will we see Tuesday night in Munich? Passive and lacking intensity, or hungry and motivated as we saw in matchday three?
How are you feeling going into this match? Confident? Nervous? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below.
