Club America vs. Benfica: Things Learned from International Champions Cup
After four pre-season games in North America, 360 minutes and two penalty shootouts, SL Benfica finally got their first win in summer 2015, vs. Club America in Mexico City.
Traveling to one of the more hostile and repugnant climates on offer, the reigning Portuguese champions came out of the Estadio Azteca as winners, albeit following a 0-0 draw. There were 16 substitutions, suggesting the setting took its toil on the participants—whose respective 2015/16 campaigns are just beginning.
The two biggest moments of the match were a missed penalty in the 15th minute and a sending off in the 70th minute. Both decisions were against the Mexican champions, and the deciding penalty shootout followed suit.
Winning 4-3 on pens, Benfica can travel to Lisbon and claim they left home for a reason. Returning to Portugal with no points would have been devastating to morale, but Rui Vitoria's men found a way to make their last International Champions Cup fixture count.
Here, we look at two lessons learned from the match—one for each side.
Benfica: If You Stare at a Goalkeeper Before Your Penalty, at Least Pick a Corner
In the 15th minute, Benfica were awarded a penalty. A poor tackle in the Club America box gave Jonas a chance to open the scoring from 12 yards.
Normally, the 31-year-old Brazilian is dependable from the spot, but he took his time watching America goalkeeper Moises Munoz gesticulate on his goalline—the movements worked. Benfica's 30-goal striker from last season shot an awful penalty right into the waist of Munoz.
There are two schools with penalty taking.
The first says never to look at the keeper, pick a corner and take your strike. Jonas elected not to use this method. The second, as perfected by Eden Hazard and/or Mario Balotelli, says keep your eyes on the goalkeeper, and depending on his movement—select the opposite corner or go down the middle.
Jonas was unable to compete this method.
Only the coolest of customers can walk through door No. 2. For others, picking the top-left, top-right, bottom-left or bottom-right corner is the better option. The foremost rule, however, is ignoring the goalkeeper's shenanigans—they tend to be off-putting.
Hopefully, for Benfica's sake, their main penalty taker will shy away from devious goalkeeping tactics come league and continental play.
Club America: At Full Strength, Las Aguilas Will Be Tough Outs in Domestic Play
While many of their players are recovering from international duty and general summer rust, Club America still have gears to reach. Several players serving at the Gold Cup and Copa America are slowly returning to fitness and take the Mexican club higher.
Oribe Peralta, Paul Aguilar and others will come back to Ignacio Ambriz's squad and add depth to areas where the first-season manager already has bags of relative talent.
Playing in one of the world's largest stadiums, with the added advantage of altitude, urban air and pace, more players in the dressing room—and arguably the best players, as they are on international duty for a reason—seem a massive benefit to this Club America side.
The Mexican league has already commenced, so the earlier returning internationals can find their legs, the better chance America has at defending both the Liga MX and CONCACAF Champions League crowns.
Having options with three, four and five at the back, the 4-4-2, 4-4-3 and 4-2-3-1—all formations and defensive strategies experimented with in the International Champions Cup—reinforcements should make Las Aguilas that much more difficult to beat once their mid-season form rolls around.
Seeing as Club America won a double last season and hired a new manager anyway, Ambriz had better pray his missing options can help retain what was accomplished last season. Otherwise, his head will rest on the proverbial chopping block.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.