Guardiola’s centre back gamble may backfire in the semi-finals
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The Spaniard has never shied away from playing his players out of position and tonight was no different. He deployed Joshua Kimmich in the centre back position but it definitely wasn’t new to the twenty-one-year-old who’s had to ply his trade regularly in this role. Pep’s persistence at times seems genius but tonight Kimmich was thoroughly exposed by the Portuguese side.
Jimenez, in particular, caused the diminutive centre back a host of problems with his off the ball movements. The home side were happy to move the ball forward aerially and scored their first goal as a result of this.
Eliseu Pereira whipped in a delightful looking cross which found Raul Jimenez who was surrounded by three Bayern players. That didn’t deter the Mexican from guiding his header past the oncoming Neuer.
One can only wonder what could have transpired if Benfica had their first choice players at their disposal.
