The football world thrives on meticulous preparation, especially for elite clubs eyeing multiple titles. However, recent criticisms levied against Benfica`s pre-season planning suggest that even at the highest levels, the fundamentals can occasionally be overlooked, much to the chagrin of those with a vested interest in the club`s success.
Cristóvão Carvalho, a prominent candidate for the Benfica presidency, has recently taken to social media, delivering a stinging indictment of the club`s current pre-season strategy. His core contention: Benfica`s decision to face the Supertaça (Super Cup) on July 31st with an apparent dearth of preparatory matches is a stark display of “pure amateurism” and a profound “lack of professionalism.”
The Unspoken Truths of Pre-Season
In professional football, the pre-season is not merely a formality; it is the crucible in which a season`s fortunes are forged. It`s the critical period for new signings to integrate, for tactical systems to be honed, for physical conditioning to reach peak levels, and, crucially, for team cohesion and rhythm to develop. Skipping adequate preparation matches before a competitive fixture, especially one as significant as a Super Cup, is akin to launching a rocket without proper fuel checks: the intentions may be grand, but the outcome is perilously uncertain.
Carvalho`s critique highlights this precise point. He questioned, quite rightly, the logic behind entering a serious, official match without the team having built up its tempo or established vital on-field connections. “What sense does it make to start the official season without rhythm, without cohesion, without working time?” he rhetorically asked. For a club with European aspirations and a hunger for trophies, this approach seems, at best, counterintuitive, and at worst, a serious strategic misstep.
A Peculiar Posture: The Club`s Own Doubt
Adding a layer of perplexing irony to the situation, Carvalho pointed out that Benfica itself, after initially confirming the Supertaça date, subsequently attempted to postpone it. This maneuver, he argued, implicitly acknowledges the detrimental nature of the schedule they had, seemingly, accepted. “Even more serious: Benfica itself, after confirming the date, tried to postpone it. That is, they knew it was detrimental, but only reacted late — and poorly. This is pure amateurism,” he asserted.
Such a revelation begs a fundamental question about foresight and proactive management within the club`s hierarchy. Where was the strategic planning when the Super Cup date was first proposed? Where was the rigorous defense of the team`s and club`s best interests? A professional sports organization is expected to anticipate challenges and negotiate terms that safeguard its competitive edge, not scramble to amend schedules once they are already set in stone.
The Echoes of Incompetence
Carvalho`s broader conclusion resonates beyond this single pre-season incident. He perceives a systemic issue: a deficit in rigor and competence at the highest echelons of Benfica`s management. “It`s not just a matter of dates. It`s a matter of competence. Whoever manages Benfica`s football must know how to say `no` when the club is disadvantaged — and must know how to plan a season with seriousness,” he declared.
In essence, this is a call for accountability and a return to the foundational principles of sound sports management. When critical decisions are made with what is perceived as “lightness” rather than “rigor,” the consequences invariably fall upon those who invest most emotionally and financially: the club members, the fervent supporters, and, ultimately, the very players tasked with delivering on the pitch.
As Benfica embarks on its new season, the shadow of this pre-season controversy looms large. The Supertaça will not only be a test of the team`s on-field capabilities but also a very public examination of the club`s foundational planning and the professional acumen of its leadership. For a club of Benfica`s stature, with its rich history and passionate fanbase, anything less than optimal preparation can lead to uncomfortable questions – questions that, as Cristóvão Carvalho has demonstrated, are not afraid to be asked.
