Jose Mourinho reverted to Porto's strongest 4-2-3-1 formation, with Kostiani and Alenichev both returning. Benfica, on the other hand, sent a 4-5-1 formation very pragmatically, and although the form was sluggish, Gomez still started the game. In Camacho's tactical system, Gomez's fulcrum role is more important than his goals, which is an important reason why Gomez is not in good form and can also occupy the starting position. Benfica's attack this season has always been concentrated on the left flank, with Simão being a key player on the wing. Camacho has unexpectedly promoted Simao, a player from Sporting Lisbon, to captain Benfica this season.

The decision was initially met with strong opposition from Benfica's players and fans, but Simão stopped Yoyo with his excellent performance at the start of the season. In the first 6 rounds of the league, Simão used 3 goals and 2 assists to help Benfica successfully bite the top of the table Porto and rank second in the standings. Watching Simão perform at every home game has become almost a fixture for Benfica fans. And Lao Lei himself admires this national teammate very much, and the effort and hardship of becoming the captain of the sworn enemy's team are far from what outsiders can imagine. However, Lao Lei does not feel that he can lead Benfica to victory over Porto, for the simple reason that Porto have him and a group of the best players in reserve.

During the pre-match ceremony, Lao Lei successfully appeared on the big screen with a bad smile in the face of boos. Benfica fans are familiar with this, but they just can't turn a blind eye to it, and unfortunately they can't do anything about it. As long as Porto is still standing above Benfica's head. Any of their attacks seem to be so unconfident and unassailive. Now faced with such a situation, Benfica fans have wisely chosen to ignore it. Ignore that nasty face on the big screen. And Lao Lei faced such a situation, but he was very proud in his heart. It's like taming a beast that is hostile to you.

When it was Simang's turn to shake hands with Lao Lei during the handshake ceremony between the two sides, Simang said with a fighting spirit and firmly: "Lei Ma, you must not leave the Stadium of Light with a smile today." ”

Lao Lei looked at the captain's armband on Simang's right arm, smiled indifferently and said, "I just know that you will definitely stay here and cry." The two men looked at each other without showing any weakness and stepped out of the way. Both sides saw in the eyes of the other that they would win.

When the game starts, it starts with Porto's possession. According to the usual style of play, Porto first controlled the tempo and possession of the ball after the opening, testing Benfica's defense. I have to say that even if it's an iron bucket formation. Benfica's bucket formation is also much more effective than that of other teams in the Portuguese Super League. Camacho's set-up was very targeted, limiting Deco and guarding the wings to prevent Porto from playing a flexible attacking routine that combined with the wing. This is a very sensible approach, although it is out of the middle lane, but it is better to hurt its ten fingers, it is better to shorten one finger. In this way, Porto's contact points in the front field are reduced and there is no activity on the wings. If he wants to break Benfica's attack, Lao Lei must have more forward assists, but this also leaves a good opportunity for Benfica's counterattack. Although the win rate on paper is still as large as Porto's, it is not a good number. The main thing is to see which side can score first. This is already the ultimate Benfica can do, maximizing their chances of victory.

With no room for acceleration, Maniche and Alenichev are like fast horses stuck in the mud, unable to move an inch. While organizing the backward feet of the backfield. While carefully observing Benfica's defensive formation, Lao Lei also had to be Camacho's arrangement very well. But alas. Mourinho has already rehearsed such a situation, but the goal is not for Benfica. Rather, it is to deal with the suffering situation that could arise in the Champions League. In this way, it can be tried on Benfica in advance, without the arrangement of Mourinho on the sidelines, Porto tactics have long been memorized in mind, and they have taken the initiative to make changes.

He made a coming-over gesture to Maniche on the left, and then Old Ray and Maniche completed the switch. Maniche, who has good defensive ability, played the back position of Lao Lei, and Lao Lei confidently and boldly moved his position to the front court and played the role of a free man in the front court. Lao Lei took the initiative to make such a change, which made Mourinho on the sidelines nod with satisfaction, and Camacho frowned. This is the first time that Porto have shown themselves in front of everyone. Camacho didn't expect Porto to take the initiative to change his defensive tactics so quickly, and when he glanced at Mourinho, who was calm next to him, he suddenly had a premonition of uneasiness in his heart.

After Lao Lei played the position of free man in the front court, Benfica's defense suddenly became overwhelmed, and there was no ease and order that had just started. If the previous situation was compared to Benfica's blockage that stuck the gears of Porto's attacking plane, now not only has the obstacle been pulled out, but even a few drops of lubricating oil have been dripped in, and the overall operation is smoother. Lao Lei used his own running in the front court, very freely cooperating with Deco and others, and at the same time tearing Benfica's defense.

In the 21st minute of the first half, Porto played the first threatening attack of the game. Lao Ray, Deco and McCarthy hit the wall twice in a row and came to the front of the penalty area. In the face of Benfica's defenders, Lao Lei directly used his speed to eat, took a trip to the ball and then accelerated, and went directly to the bottom. Before the ball went out of the baseline, Lao Lei kicked back with his left foot, skimmed the ankle of his right foot, and the ball rolled between the feet of the Benfica defender who had just stopped, and then accelerated again from outside the baseline to bypass the Benfica defender. At this time, Lao Lei can directly threaten Benfica's small penalty area, and before Benfica's central defender blocked it, he picked up a pass and crossed the football to the goal. McCarthy arrived in the middle and came with a crisp header, but unfortunately the angle was too positive, and the Benfica goalkeeper blocked it with both hands to defuse the attack.

The attack didn't score, but it at least proved that the tactics worked. At the same time, Maniche, who has excellent defensive ability, also shows excellent adaptability in the position of midfielder. Although it is slightly worse than Lao Lei's defensive ability. But the effect of his partnership with Kostiani was enough to make Benfica's attack suffer. In the 25th minute of the first half. Up front, Alenichev was caught up on the flanks by Benfica's full-backs and centre-backs and cut off the ball. The ball was then kicked by Benfica's centre-back to Simao's feet. Just as Simão was about to turn and accelerate, Maniche appeared in time like a professional post-player, and when Simão turned, a timely and accurate poke sabotaged Benfica's counterattack. It's not always successful, but it's done very well.

Camacho on the sidelines was anxious, but he was helpless. He has come up with all the tricks, and they have been defused by Porto's superior strength. This is a conspiracy, dignified, and invulnerable, except for proving that it is broken. Although Benfica can play a few counter-attacks from time to time, they are not very effective, and overall Porto still have a great advantage.

In the 29th minute of the first half, the situation on the field finally changed. Lao Lei appeared on Alenichev's right side this time, and the two played a small area of exquisite cooperation on the right side. A succession of one-two broke through Benfica's defense on the right flank, with Alenichev behind the bottom. Knocked back directly to the front of the penalty area, and at this time Lao Lei was already there in a gap.

After receiving Alenichev's pass, Lao Lei did not make adjustments and directly volleyed vigorously. The ball hit the Benfica defender's calf and created a slight touchline, which caused great suffering for the Benfica goalkeeper's save. By the time he wanted to make the increase, it was too slow. The ball flew straight into the middle of the goal. After 30 minutes of play, Lao Lei broke the deadlock at the Stadium of Light with a long-range shot that was quite lucky.

“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL！！！ The ball is in! Reima's long-range shot helped us break the deadlock. 1:0。 We are ahead of Benfica at the Stadium of Light. After the goal, Lao Lei happily spread his hands on the field. Palm down, run. It made a flying pose, like an eagle. I don't know if Lao Lei deliberately provoked Benfica fans, anyway, that's what they thought, and Benfica fans let out a piercing boo at Lao Lei who was celebrating. But this didn't make Lao Lei feel uncomfortable, but made him run more happily, and even the smile on his face was even bigger.

Benfica fans can swear that they have never hated a player and a manager as much as they do now. Mourinho's angry Cheng dù on the sidelines was no lower than Lao Lei, and Mourinho rushed to the Benfica fans on the sidelines to celebrate with a chic and passionate kneeling. He doesn't have a good impression of his old club at all, and every time he comes to the Stadium of Light, he does something. And to the displeasure of Benfica fans, every time Mourinho leaves with the attitude of a winner. Thinking about the wolf bèi and the constant ridicule and scolding of the fans when Mourinho left, the current situation is really quite Buddhist cause and effect.

After the restart of the game, Benfica still adhered to the strategy of defending and counterattacking steadily, and did not make any changes. Porto did not make any changes and continued to use such tactics to impact Benfica's defense. However, Benfica's calm defense did not allow Porto to extend the score, and several threatening shots on goal were stubbornly blocked by Benfica's defenders.

However, opportunity is like a woman who is easily changeable, when you don't catch her a few times, she has the opportunity to throw herself into the arms of others. In the 44th minute of the first half, Benfica counter-attacked again. This time Simão was smarter, handling the ball faster and not giving Maniche a chance to press. After a simple one-two with Gomez, Simão used his pace to go straight into the heart of Porto.

In the face of Ferreira, Simão showed his skillful ball skills, and the continuous rapid change of direction made Ferreira a little confused. Then there was a sudden stop, on the edge of the penalty area, with the outside of the right foot flicked instep and directly began to cut forward. After a few steps, before Costa could make up for it, it was a long-range shot.

Simão played a wave as well as the ball went around Bya's hands and drilled into the top left corner of the goal. In the closing stages of the first half, Simão equalised for Benfica with a brilliant individual performance.

The Stadium of Light suddenly shook like a volcanic eruption.

The cheers and beats of the Benfica fans seemed to make the entire Stadium of Light tremble.

And Simão didn't celebrate so passionately after the goal was scored.

Instead, he turned around and found Lao Lei, staring at him.

His eyes were full of scorching war intent.

And Lao Lei smiled slightly and looked at each other without showing weakness.

"That's how the game is, it's flavorful!" (To be continued......)

PS: Error correction: Joaquín in the previous chapter should be Simão. The name is confused, sorry!!