In an interview with A Bola on March 12, the Hibs forward singled out the Ibrox captain and praised his Portuguese colleague Fabio Silva following the 2-0 triumph at Easter Road. He also identified three other important players for Philippe Clement’s team.
The “midfield pendulum,” John Lundstram, and the “very, very creative,” Todd Cantwell, according to Tavares, are crucial to the Gers. However, he also identified a potential weakness that he believes Benfica might take advantage of in their return leg at Ibrox on Thursday, March 14: the Gers’ tendency to give up possession when under duress.
In English, he stated, “It is a very vertical team that always tries to increase the intensity of the game.” However, it also works incredibly well in brief combos.
“To be honest, I don’t know if I have much to say about defects, but I believe this is a team that tends to lose possession of the ball under pressure.”
On crucial men, he added: “The captain, James Tavernier. He is experienced, physically strong and extremely offensive. In set pieces he is excellent.
“Then John Lundstram is the midfield pendulum, he is also very physically strong and controls all the rhythms of the team’s game.
A very, extremely creative midfielder is Todd Cantwell. As the saying goes in Portuguese, “The ball never cries at his feet.”
Cantwell has been one of the many out injured in the Light Blues squad of late so it is as-yet unclear whether he will be available for Clement in Europe.
As one of the several injured members of the Light Blues squad recently, Cantwell’s availability for Clement in Europe is still unknown.
Despite returning from Lisbon last week with an excellent 2-2 draw, an under-strength team has already lost players and will face a formidable challenge in the second leg.
It would come as no surprise if Tavernier was called upon to step up once again this week given his outstanding full-back statistics this season, which have showed no signs of abating. Two years ago, he was the best scorer in the Europa League.
This week has also brought attention to how important Lundstram is to Clement; therefore, if a costly replacement is not going to be needed, an extension of his contract, which is about to expire, is a top priority in the ongoing negotiations with the club.
In the cup, Rangers prevailed in difficult conditions at Easter Road, but the Portuguese powerhouses’ visit will present a greater challenge.
For what may be a close match in Glasgow, the players need to step it up if a tendency to get hustled off the ball in the face of pressure is a legitimate criticism.
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