Benfica humiliates Atlético de Madrid: Lage's tactical brilliance in Champions League

It meant a lot for the result, but most of all, for team solidity on the pitch: Benfica's 4-0 win against Atlético de Madrid during the Champions League second round Head coach Bruno Lage managed to get the most out of his squad, dominated the game from beginning to end, extends winning streak for five matches in a row.

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With goals by Aktürkoglu, Di María, Bah, and Kökçü, the Portuguese did not give their opponent an inch. Estádio da Luz hosted another exhibition of strength by the Encarnados, who now accumulate six points in the competition and are tied with Brest. This victory places the team in third position in the ranking.

Strength in unity

After the game, Bruno Lage insisted upon the union within the squad. "This winning streak created the fantastic atmosphere we had today," said the coach. To him, the relationship between the players and the fans has been of extreme importance for these good performances from the team. Estádio da Luz played along with the team, creating an atmosphere according to Lage that boosted the execution.

The coach also praised both the contributions of the starters and those of the substitutes: "Once again, it was the best version of each player," Lage stated, highlighting how united the team were, not depending on individual brilliance.

Benfica en Alza

There's little doubt that Benfica is in a good moment. Five victories in a row had attested to the fact that the team was ready for the challenges of the Champions League. However, Lage remains cautious: "We've got six points, and that's very important. But we still have six matches and 18 points to fight for," he stated. Despite this strong opening, he knows that it is a long road and demands constant focus.

Bruno Lage's leadership is lauded most for the commitment of the player to preparation. The manager spoke of hours upon hours spent in learning and internalizing tactical ideas to lay the foundation for what has been happening on the pitch. "The players are spending a lot of time in a room, on the field, walking or almost standing still, to better understand our ideas," Lage said.

Commitment and tactical execution

That is the level of commitment that has made a difference, especially with set pieces and quick transitions. Tactically well-prepared, Benfica managed to neutralize Atlético de Madrid and capitalized on created opportunities. Lage praised the players for being able to do what they had worked out in training, and that reflects the effort the team has been putting into understanding and following the instructions of the coach.