FM21 Benfica tactic and team guide. Club culture and board requirements, tactics, key players, youth prospects and potential transfer.
Football Manager 2021 Benfica tactic and team guide. Club culture and board
requirements, tactics, key players, youth prospects and potential transfers
in FM21
Here is a brief analysis of the Benfica squad, their club structure,
relationship any potential managers will have with the board, expectations and
possible tactics any FM manager can use.
SL Benfica are a professional football team that ply their trade in the Primeira Liga. Along with FC Porto & Sporting CP, Benfica constitute the Big 3 in Portuguese football. The club have played every season in the Primeira League ever since the league’s inception in 1934. Benfica are the most decorated team in Portugal with a total of 80 major trophies which includes 37 Primera League titles. Benfica have also won 2 European trophies having won back to back European cups.
Benfica are the strongest team in Portugal having won the league 5 times in the last 9 seasons. They are also renowned for producing some of the biggest superstars in football.
Benfica fell just short of Porto and finished 2nd in the league. The board requirements should you take over will be,
1. Win the Portuguese Primeira Liga
2. Qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champion’s League.
3. Win the PT cup.
Given that Benfica are one of the top dogs in the Portuguese league, the board requirements are obviously pretty high. The board expects the manager taking over to win league title, win the PT cup and qualify for the knockout stages of the UCL.
Odysseas Vlachodimos as a sweeper keeper.
Alex Grimaldo & Gilberto as wing-backs, Grimaldo is one of the best crossing wingbacks in the game and it is advisable to make use of this.
Jan Vertonghen & Nicolas Otamendi will make up the centre back pairing and both can be played as a Ball playing defenders considering that they’re comfortable on the ball.
Gabriel to be played as a ball-winning midfielder & Julian Weigl as a deep playmaker.
Pizzi as an Attacking Midfielder, will pop up with some crucial goals in important matches
Everton Soares on the left-wing as an Inside Forward & Luca Waldschmidt on the right as an inverted winger.
Darwin Nunez as a deep-lying or a pressing forward.
Benfica have the strongest squad in the Portuguese Primeira and there are a number of quality players on the bench like Haris Seferovic & Jardel who can change the game.
1. Some key players are new and could take time to gel and find chemistry with the squad.
2. Despite producing world-class youngsters Porto have a reputation for being a feeder club and there is always the risk of players being poached by bigger clubs from Europe.
3. The overall quality of the back-ups may not be upto to the standards of some bigger clubs and injuries could wreak havoc to the season.
Benfica have the best squad in the league, but these additions could further improve their depth and performances.
· Nuno Mendes
· Malang Sarr
· Matias Arezo
These players may be surplus to requirements at the club or may not be of the expected quality.
· Franco Cervi
· Adel Taraabt
There are a few exciting young prospects in the ranks who have the potential to be some of the best players in the league. A few examples are,
Currently on loan from Barca, Benfica have the option for an outright purchase for the young centre back. He is one of the best wonderkid defenders in the game and will be an asset to any side.
The Portuguese defensive midfielder has the potential to be the best player in the league in his position and could be a star for Benfica in a couple of seasons.
The young right back is already an able backup if and when needed and can easily make the rb spot his own in a couple of seasons.
RELATED: Best Football Manager 2021 Wonderkids
To summarise, Benfica are a big fish in a small pond. Can you take over the reins, shed the tag of a feeder club and take them to the very top?
About SL Benfica
SL Benfica are a professional football team that ply their trade in the Primeira Liga. Along with FC Porto & Sporting CP, Benfica constitute the Big 3 in Portuguese football. The club have played every season in the Primeira League ever since the league’s inception in 1934. Benfica are the most decorated team in Portugal with a total of 80 major trophies which includes 37 Primera League titles. Benfica have also won 2 European trophies having won back to back European cups.
Benfica are the strongest team in Portugal having won the league 5 times in the last 9 seasons. They are also renowned for producing some of the biggest superstars in football.
Board Requirements
Benfica fell just short of Porto and finished 2nd in the league. The board requirements should you take over will be,
1. Win the Portuguese Primeira Liga
2. Qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champion’s League.
3. Win the PT cup.
Given that Benfica are one of the top dogs in the Portuguese league, the board requirements are obviously pretty high. The board expects the manager taking over to win league title, win the PT cup and qualify for the knockout stages of the UCL.
Additionally you will be required to play attacking entertaining football,
sign high reputation players especially from rivals and develop players
using the club’s excellent youth system.
Benfica have one of the best youth recruitment’s in the game and produce world class player season after season. They have also very good youth and training facilities that help players reach their potential.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Starting Transfer Budgets
There are quite a few tactical setups you could deploy with Benfica, however, the best suited ones will be the vertical Tiki Taka. This should provide entertaining attacking football that board demands and could make use of all the fine attacking talent at your disposal. However, against quality attacks or tough away games, one could go with a fluid counter attack tactic.
A 4-2-3-1 is the most stable formation for Benfica. It will help you accommodate their stars in their preferred positions and also their attacking style of football.
A rough example of what your line-up would look like in a 4-2-3-1 formation is as follows,
Benfica have one of the best youth recruitment’s in the game and produce world class player season after season. They have also very good youth and training facilities that help players reach their potential.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Starting Transfer Budgets
Squad, Formation and Tactical Style
There are quite a few tactical setups you could deploy with Benfica, however, the best suited ones will be the vertical Tiki Taka. This should provide entertaining attacking football that board demands and could make use of all the fine attacking talent at your disposal. However, against quality attacks or tough away games, one could go with a fluid counter attack tactic.
A 4-2-3-1 is the most stable formation for Benfica. It will help you accommodate their stars in their preferred positions and also their attacking style of football.
A rough example of what your line-up would look like in a 4-2-3-1 formation is as follows,
Odysseas Vlachodimos as a sweeper keeper.
Alex Grimaldo & Gilberto as wing-backs, Grimaldo is one of the best crossing wingbacks in the game and it is advisable to make use of this.
Jan Vertonghen & Nicolas Otamendi will make up the centre back pairing and both can be played as a Ball playing defenders considering that they’re comfortable on the ball.
Gabriel to be played as a ball-winning midfielder & Julian Weigl as a deep playmaker.
Pizzi as an Attacking Midfielder, will pop up with some crucial goals in important matches
Everton Soares on the left-wing as an Inside Forward & Luca Waldschmidt on the right as an inverted winger.
Darwin Nunez as a deep-lying or a pressing forward.
Benfica have the strongest squad in the Portuguese Primeira and there are a number of quality players on the bench like Haris Seferovic & Jardel who can change the game.
RELATED:
Football Manager 2021 Tactics
Benfica secured the signature of the highly sought after winger only recently. He is one of the most underrated players in the game and be a constant threat from the left side of the pitch. He also is very versatile and double up as a winger from the right.
The experienced attacking midfielder is one of the most versatile players at the club and is comfortable with both feet. He also has the knack of scoring crucial goals and is one of the most important players at the club.
The German winger is also another extremely versatile player who can cut in and score plenty of goals from the right wing. His performances will be key in shaping your season.
Grimaldo happens to be one of the best left backs in the game and can still improve with game time. He is an excellent crosser and will be able to provide plenty of assists from the left.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Best Players Shortlist
Key Players
1. Everton Soares
Benfica secured the signature of the highly sought after winger only recently. He is one of the most underrated players in the game and be a constant threat from the left side of the pitch. He also is very versatile and double up as a winger from the right.
2. Pizzi
The experienced attacking midfielder is one of the most versatile players at the club and is comfortable with both feet. He also has the knack of scoring crucial goals and is one of the most important players at the club.
3. Luca Waldschmidt
The German winger is also another extremely versatile player who can cut in and score plenty of goals from the right wing. His performances will be key in shaping your season.
4. Alex Grimaldo
Grimaldo happens to be one of the best left backs in the game and can still improve with game time. He is an excellent crosser and will be able to provide plenty of assists from the left.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Best Players Shortlist
Weaknesses
1. Some key players are new and could take time to gel and find chemistry with the squad.
2. Despite producing world-class youngsters Porto have a reputation for being a feeder club and there is always the risk of players being poached by bigger clubs from Europe.
3. The overall quality of the back-ups may not be upto to the standards of some bigger clubs and injuries could wreak havoc to the season.
Potential Transfers (in)
Benfica have the best squad in the league, but these additions could further improve their depth and performances.
· Nuno Mendes
· Malang Sarr
· Matias Arezo
Potential Transfers (Out)
These players may be surplus to requirements at the club or may not be of the expected quality.
· Franco Cervi
· Adel Taraabt
Youth Prospects
There are a few exciting young prospects in the ranks who have the potential to be some of the best players in the league. A few examples are,
1. Jean Clair Todibo
Currently on loan from Barca, Benfica have the option for an outright purchase for the young centre back. He is one of the best wonderkid defenders in the game and will be an asset to any side.
2. Rafael Brito
The Portuguese defensive midfielder has the potential to be the best player in the league in his position and could be a star for Benfica in a couple of seasons.
3. Filipe Cruz
The young right back is already an able backup if and when needed and can easily make the rb spot his own in a couple of seasons.
RELATED: Best Football Manager 2021 Wonderkids
Summary
To summarise, Benfica are a big fish in a small pond. Can you take over the reins, shed the tag of a feeder club and take them to the very top?
