Benfica head coach Marco Silva, in a detailed post-match interview published on the club's official website, praised the performance of Ukrainian midfielder Georgiy Sudakov in the Portuguese League Cup quarter-final match against Gil Vicente. The encounter ended in a convincing 4-1 victory for the Eagles, with one of the highlights being Sudakov's spectacular long-range shot, which marked his team's second goal. The manager emphasized that for the 24-year-old Ukrainian, this goal was not merely a scoring episode, but an important personal milestone in his Portuguese football career.
Tactical function: what changes and what remains the same
Answering questions about how exactly Sudakov fits into the team's setup, Marco Silva provided a detailed explanation. According to the coach, when in possession of the ball, the Ukrainian's role practically does not depend on which flank he operates on: "Since Sudakov is a classic midfielder, his role remains unchanged regardless of whether he operates on the left or the right." Silva compared him to other players who step into the central midfield position outside of their natural role, noting that in Sudakov's case, his function in the attacking phase is predictable and stable.
Defense: transition to 4-4-2 and duties in the middle block
Significantly more differences arise in the defensive phase, according to Silva. When Benfica is without the ball, Sudakov drops deeper, joining the work of the defensive midfielder—the so-called "number six." As a result, the entire team shifts to a 4-4-2 formation, and the Ukrainian finds himself closer to his own goal rather than in the attacking zone. The coach directly pointed out aspects that need refinement: "He is required to understand the principles of cover: the ability to operate within a middle block, help the other central midfielder, or, if necessary, cover the flanks. We still have work to do with him, but what I saw today pleased me."
Personal evaluation: a team player in an unusual position
Silva placed a separate emphasis on Sudakov's team-first character. "It is also important that he scored a goal—and a great one at that. For him, this is a big event, and besides, he played a very strong match. He is a team player: even playing in an unusual position for himself, he works hard for the benefit of the collective when we are without the ball. I am pleased with him," the manager stated. Thus, the coach confirmed that Sudakov is capable of adapting to non-standard areas of the pitch without losing discipline and dedication.
Statistics and upcoming matches
In the current season, 24-year-old Sudakov has played 18 matches for Benfica, scoring two goals and providing one assist. In the match against Gil Vicente, he started and played a productive game, securing his team's advancement to the Portuguese League Cup semi-finals. In the next stage of the tournament, Benfica will face Porto. Before this match, Silva's team will play a Portuguese league game against Alverca, giving the coaching staff an additional opportunity to work on the defensive interactions that Silva insisted upon in his comments.
