Fulham started their pre-season campaign with an impressive performance against Benfica, securing a 1-0 victory. Dave Wilson gives us his player ratings as Fulham took another strong step towards the start of the Premier League season.
This match was a stark contrast to our previous encounter with Benfica, showcasing just how much Marco has done with this side in the last few years. Here’s how Dave saw it:
Leno - 7 Not much to do overall, but Leno remained sharp and focused throughout the game. He made a couple of routine saves and his distribution was solid, keeping the backline calm and organised.
Tete - 8 King Kenny linked up well with Traore on the right side, creating several dangerous overlaps. Defensively, he was reliable, breaking up Benfica's attacks effectively. His return to form is a promising sign for the upcoming season.
Robinson - 7.5 Jedi was electric down the wing, providing an outlet on the left and contributing to the attack. However, he was caught out towards the end of the half, getting nutmegged, which slightly marred his performance.
Diop - 7.5 Solid performance from Diop, who was composed under pressure and effective in his duels. He kept Benfica's forwards at bay and was a commanding presence in the air.
Bassey - 8 Bassey continued to impress with his strength and defensive prowess. He was difficult to beat and showed excellent anticipation, making several crucial interceptions.
Cairney - 7.5 TC looked fit and played a key role in linking up play. His ability to bring the ball forward and connect the midfield with the attack was vital to Fulham's control of the game.
Lukic - 7.5 Sasa put in a performance reminiscent of Palhinha with some quality tackles and interceptions. His work rate and defensive contributions were crucial in breaking up Benfica's play.
King - 6.5 The youngster Josh King showed promise with his passing and line-breaking runs but struggled with the physicality of Benfica's defenders. He had moments where he looked like a youth player adjusting to senior football. It's early doors in his career and he may need some time to adjust to the physicality of 1st team football
Traore - 8.5 Adama was a standout, using his pace to terrorise Benfica's defence. He was instrumental in the goal and consistently carried the ball forward with intent. His performance suggests he could be a key player next season.
Iwobi - 8 Iwobi was a threat going forward, linking up well with Robinson for the goal. He had another chance to score earlier in the game but it wasn't to be. Nevertheless, he showed signs of making the position his own.
Muniz - 7.5 R9 provided a consistent threat and had a couple of decent chances, including a header and a shot that went just wide. His presence up front gave Benfica's defence plenty to think about.
Subs:
Pereira - 6.5 AP struggled to make a significant impact after coming on. While he had a couple of good touches, he found it hard to influence the game meaningfully.
Castagne - 7 Timmy Chestnuts added stability to the backline and made a few key defensive contributions. He looked solid and dependable in his defensive duties.
Sessegnon - 7.5 Sess showed promise with his forward runs and link-up play. He added a different dimension to Fulham's left flank and contributed defensively as well.
Wilson - 7.5 Harry Wilson injected energy and creativity into Fulham's attack. His movements and passing opened up space and created opportunities for his teammates.
Jimenez - 7.5 Raul brought physicality and a focal point in the attack. He was effective in holding up the ball and bringing others into play, demonstrating his value to the team.
Reed - 7.5 Harrison Reed's tenacity in midfield helped maintain Fulham's control. His pressing and defensive work were crucial in disrupting Benfica's build-up play.
Godo - 7 Godo displayed good energy and work rate. Though he didn't have much time to make a significant impact, his performance was solid and encouraging.
Pajaziti - 8 One of the real standouts, Adrion Pajaziti impressed with his composure and passing range. He looked confident on the ball and was instrumental in keeping Fulham's midfield ticking over in the latter stages.
Overall, it was a great team performance with several standout individual displays, showing promising signs for the upcoming season. The combination of fitness, tactical discipline, and individual brilliance was key to Fulham's victory against Benfica. This match sets a positive tone as we look forward to the new season.
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