Taça da Liga 2018/19: Benfica vs Porto

The first semi-final in the Taça da Liga was a mouth-watering clash between the top two sides in Liga NOS, Benfica and Porto. Porto, who have never won the competition before, were attempting to make only their third final. However, Benfica are the most decorated team in the competition having won the trophy seven times in its 11-year history.

Team news

Both managers named strong sides for this game with Iker Casillas the only notable absentee for Porto. In the other dugout Benfica boss Bruno Lage gave Mile Svilar, the youngest ever Champions League goalkeeper, his third start in the competition. He also gave a start to young starlet Joao Felix, who has been linked with moves to Liverpool and Manchester United this January.

First half

In the last five meetings between these two sides, there have been fewer than three goals in all of them. Judging from the first moments of the match, this was never going to be the case here. Porto started the game playing with a high press which caused organisational problems to Benfica.

In the 20th minute poor defensive communication allowed Porto to have two attackers in between the Benfica centre-backs. This allowed Héctor Herrera to split the defenders with a pass into the feet of André Pereira to create a one-on-one opportunity.

There were further problems for the Benfica defence as Jardel went to screen the run of Moussa Marega. However, as Jardel did not put pressure on the ball, Pereira was left with a one-on-one opportunity with Svilar. The Portuguese striker should have scored, but he fired his shot to the near post and it was saved by the young keeper.

Benfica were also sloppy when trying to play out from the back, unaware of the space and the options. When Gabriel Pires receives the ball below, he should check his shoulder to see the space behind him or the option of Andreas Samaris to his left.