Arbitration under scrutiny by Benfica: "We'll stay alert and watchful"
Benfica Achieves Early Season Success, but Controversy Surrounds Alverca Match
Portuguese football powerhouse Benfica has made a strong start to the new season, achieving the first three objectives set: the Supercup, qualifying for the league phase of the Champions League, and winning the opening three league games. However, the team's victory in the Alverca-Benfica match of the I Liga was overshadowed by a controversial incident involving midfielder Amar Dedic.
During the game, Dedic was shown a yellow card, but the method by which it was awarded was questionable, leading to concerns among Benfica's management and coaching staff. The director of football for Benfica's main team, Mario Branco, expressed his dissatisfaction with the criterion to receive a yellow card for every two faults in the match, describing it as illogical.
Following Dedic's expulsion due to the accumulation of yellow cards, Benfica coach Bruno Lage reacted in a flash interview, expressing his disappointment with the outcome of the match. Despite the controversy, Branco assured that Benfica will be attentive and vigilant about this type of arbitration throughout the season.
It's worth noting that the pitch in the Alverca-Benfica match was not ideal, similar to the one in the Estrela da Amadora match. This, coupled with the allegations that Amar Dedic "ruined" the pitch, may have contributed to the tense atmosphere during the game.
In a separate context, Aursnes, a member of Benfica's coaching staff, expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance. However, he believes that there is room for improvement, and that Benfica can perform better in the future.
Branco also stated that Benfica was present at the Cidade do Futebol to understand the recommendations of the new Arbitration Commission for the remainder of the season. This proactive approach suggests that Benfica is committed to addressing issues of refereeing and ensuring fair play throughout the season.
As Benfica continues its journey in the new season, it will be interesting to see how the team navigates these challenges and maintains its early season momentum.
