Keirrison scores first goal for Benfica

Barcelona loan-out Keirrison scored yesterday his first goal for Benfica. In a friendly game against Celtic Glasgow, the Brazilian striker scored the 0-1.

Keirrison debuts for Benfica

Keirrison made his Benfica debut this past Sunday during Benfica's 1-0 win against Guimaraes.

Coming off the bench at half time for Saviola, Keirrison gave everyone a scare after twisting his ankle while chasing a ball two minutes into the second half. Momentarily limping, Keirrison was able to walk it off and subsequently recuperated.

It wasn't a very good game for Benfica overall, and Keirrison's entrance into the game didn't really bring much to Benfica's attacking front. The young Brazilian got very little touches on the ball, showing himself too static and too easy of a target for the Guimaraes defense, but the blame can't all go to him, as Benfica struggled to get the ball to the the forward's feet.

Benfica, who struggled throughout the game, played against 10 men for most of the second half, but could not get anything going, even missing a penalty. They would eventually get the winner at the 90th minute, courtesy of Ramires, Benfica's most expensive signing of the season.

Keirrison's debut didn't have the results he might have envisioned, and quite honestly, not what many fans expected from a 15 million acquisition, but it also can't be seen as a negative one. Surely after making his debut, he must feel encouraged to continue to work hard to deserve more opportunities.

by: fumas
www.talkingtothedoll.com


Photo Credit - Miguel Riopa /AFP/Getty Images

Keirrison Watch: Debut Delayed

Keirrison made Jorge Jesus' 19 player game roster for Benfica's league opener against Marítimo last weekend, but was scratched off at the last minute as only 18 players are allowed to dress.

Keirrison who was the target of some of Jesus' more energetic coaching during the past week, in regards to his positioning and movements on the field, was selected from the lot 27 players currently available to coach Jorge Jesus for this match.

Benfica tied up their season opener, and matched the performances of their direct rivals Sporting and FC Porto who also got ties in their respective games. Keirrison's competition, Weldon and Nuno Gomes, both came off the bench in this Sunday's game, and Weldon even got the tying goal.

The young Brazilian has his work cut out for him, as he will need to start adapting and prove that Barcelona made the right decision in acquiring him.


by: fumas
www.talkingtothedoll.com

Keirrison: "I think and execute very quickly"

this is a first contribution by benfica blogger fumas, who will follow for us the performances of barcelona loan out keirrison with benfica during the season. you can also check fumas' personal blog with a lot more news (in english) on benfica: http://www.talkingtothedoll.com/



Shortly after landing in Lisbon, Keirrison gave his first interview to Portuguese football daily "A Bola".

In this interview, published on the first of August, Keirrison talks about choosing Benfica, how he was welcomed the first couple of days, and the team's potential for a good season. He touches on some of his qualities, his idol, and his ambition to make the canarinha.

Always keeping a certain humility, Keirrison's dialogue is simple, and focused on the task at hand this year, he knows that his stay at Benfica will be brief and will serve as an apprenticeship to the European game, but even knowing that, his conversation rarely deviates from his only goal for this year - to help Benfica win titles.

Below is the transcript of the full interview translated into English (note: part of this interview was already published on this blog)


What did you mean with in your press conference with the statement: "It was me that picked Benfica"? Did someone try to choose your destination for you?
I just wanted it to be very clear how much I value this club. My agents had other propositions, but I didn't even want to hear about them when I found out about Benfica.

Why?
I know the club, I watched a lot of Benfica games in Brazil along with other European leagues, and the information that was given to me about Benfica was very good.

What were your first impressions?
Firstly, Lisbon is a beautiful city. Then the Estadio da Luz (smiles) no comments, it's perfect. In addition, Benfica's training center is very good and I was treated very well at my arrival.

Not going to Barcelona right away is what's best for you?
It was a joint decision, to obtain European experience in my first year. Benfica is the right club to evolve in Europe and in two days I feel that I have already adapted.

What can Benfica gain with you?
I'm going to try to help my team mates, in all aspects but in a collective way. You can't win anything by yourself, even if you have the world at your feet. I came to help Benfica win titles

Benfica is betting everything on this season. Are you prepared for the pressure?
There is always pressure in big clubs. Benfica is aiming high, and I am sure with all these excellent professionals, Benfica has every guarantee to be able to fight for titles. It's a a new group but we will be very strong very soon.

What did you think of coach Jorge Jesus?
He is very friendly, he told me what the team wants from me. I feel that with him, I'll have the freedom to talk about all aspects of the game.

What was the feeling like to be applauded by 1500 people in your first training session?
I have had similar experiences, but never with so many people. I could tell how the fans feel Benfica, and that gives me more motivation to work hard. It was good to hear my name being called. You know, I look to have a quick connection with the fans, and unlike some other players, I look to tend to them every time I can. I have been on the other side, I know what it's like.

Are you aware of your worth?
I never try talking about myself. I leave that to other people. I respect opinions, and I always look to do my job. I try to perfect myself everyday, but I know that I will never be perfect.

But you have the notion that Benfica fans saw your arrival as a big "acquisition" right?
Yes I do, I'm always going to have a big responsibility because of the fact that at 20 years old I've arrived at a club like Benfica.

Do you believe that you will soon be scoring goals for Benfica?
I'll be ready for that.

What opinion do you have of the main opponents of Benfica?
I know FC Porto and Sporting. I know that the fans want titles, and we do too. We have the conditions to win.

Will it be easy to score with the team mates you have assisting you?
Without a doubt. There is a lot of quality in this squad. I'm not going to say that it'll be easy, but I was born with a gift that God gave me.

Is being in the 2010 World Cup an objective for you?
Yes. Being at Benfica, I have every chance of being called. I know that Dunga will be watching. But if it's not in 2010, it'll be in 2014, as I am still young.

Do you believe you will be the future forward of Brazil?
That's the reason why I came to Europe.

Your playing style? Is it more talent or more work rate?
Both. Players that have the gift and don't work, and are not able to make sacrifices, they will get nowhere. As an example, I will be very far from my family, but I love football.

What is your safe haven, when things don't go well?
Faith in God and a lot of patience. I know how to wait for better moments.

Are you also patient on the pitch?
A lot. Sometimes I can be without touching the ball for 80 minutes, and I have to be prepared to score. That's happened to me quite a few times.

Do you like playing in the box, or do you like coming out of the box?
A mixture of both, I like to have the ball, but I also like to finish.

Better with your right foot?
I'm righty, but since I was a little boy, I have worked on my left. I have even scored nice goals with my left foot.

Does your aerial game still need to evolve?
It's not at the same level as my feet, but I have been working a lot on that aspect.

Do you like taking penalty kicks?
I am a specialist. But I am also becoming a specialist in free kicks. I try to be a complete forward, because I know some games you can't score in running plays, so you have to look for other ways.

In Brazil it's said that you have a strong personality. Is that true?
I have always had a strong personality, since I was a little boy.

Have you ever lost your cool with a tighter than usual marking?
I might get mad once in a while, but I have learned to elude defender's markings. Besides, it makes no sense to use violence against another player, I have never been thrown out like that.

What is your strongest trait as a player.
Coolness at finishing. I don't take too long to think about what I am going to do when I'm in the box, I think and execute very quickly, most of the times with one touch. I'm very decisive, and seldom am I left with the idea of having chosen the wrong option.

Is that why you admire Romario? He would often score with his toe, with only one touch.
Exactly, Pele is also my idol, but I have only seen Romario play. I grew up watching his game, and wanting to do like him. Romario scored a lot of nice goals, but his specialty was the first touch and to toe the ball. His playing style was simple, and mine is also. The fact that I played futsal helped me. I look to simplify myself, because in Europe there is no time to showboat. I have always tried to play simple with the thought of coming to Europe. And now i'm here.


The Other Side of K11:

If you weren't a footballer you would be...
A Physical Education teacher. I studied until 12th grade, but I didn't continue to college.

Your main quality is...
Sincerity, I don't beat around the bush, I am direct.

Your worst trait...
I stress more than I should.

What kind of a politician would you like to be?
I wouldn't like to be a politician, it's a class for which I have no admiration, even though I respect it.

What charms you about Europe...
Manners, mutual respect, clean streets and beauty.

Favorite movie...
"Pursuit of Happyness" with Will Smith

Book...
"Never give up on your dreams"(Nunca desista dos seus sonhos) by Augusto Cury, a Brazilian writer.


Read more:
Ten things you should know about Keirrison
Keirrison makes Benfica debut
Possible first option on two Benfica players

Keirrison: "I try to keep things simple"

Barcelona loan-out and Benfica forward Keirrison gave an interview to Portuguese sports paper A Bola.





What did you mean - at the press conference when you were presented - when you said: "It was I who chose Benfica"?
I just wanted to make clear to the fans the respect I have for this club. My agents had other offers, but I didn't want to listen of any of them once I heard about Benfica.

Why?
I know the club, back in Brazil I saw a lot of games of Benfica. I watched all European leagues. And the information I got was all very positive.

What were your first impressions when you arrived here?
In the first place, Lisbon is a beautiful city. Then, you have the Estádio da Luz stadium... I won't give any further comments, it's just perfect. In addition, they say that the training centre is very good. And the treatment I received from the club was excellent.

Was it the best thing for you to join Barcelona at this point in your career?
It was a decision taking into account everything, including the chance to acquire European experience at another club during my first year. Benfica sure is the right club to get to know European football. In two days time, I feel like I've almost adapted already.

What do you think of coach Jorge Jesus?
A good person, he explained me what he expects of the team and what my role will be. I feel that I will have the freedom to discuss all aspects of the game with him.

But do you have the feeling that the club sees your arrival as an important transfer?
Yes, I do. I feel a great responsibility for having arrived at a club like Benfica being only 20 years old.

Do you like to score penalties?
I am an expert. But I am also trying to become an expert in free kicks. I try to be a complete striker, because in some games you cannot score during normal play, so then you should be able to score in another way...

What is your strongest point?
My coolness in front of the goal. I don't need much time to think when I'm in the box, I can think and execute quickly, often at the first touch. I am very determined and I rarely have the feeling of having made a bad choice during a game.

It is therefore that you admire Romário so much? He marked a lot of goals like that, with just one touch...
Precisely. Pele is also my idol, but I only saw Romário live. I grew up learning from his game, wanting to be and to act like him. Romário scored many beautiful goals, but his specialty was the first touch, kicking the ball with his toe. His football was simple and mine is too. The fact that I've played futsal helps me. I try to keep things simple, because in Europe there is not much time when you are in the penalty area. I've always tried to play a simple type of football because I already was thinking about coming to Europe. And now I'm here...


Read more:
Keirrison makes Benfica debut
Possible first option on two Benfica players
Keirrison officially presented as Benfica player

Keirrison makes Benfica debut

Barcelona loan-out Keirrison made last night his debut with Benfica in a friendly game against Portsmouth. Keirrison replaced former Barcelona player Saviola twenty minutes before the end of the game. Benfica won 4-0, the last goal was scored by a Portsmouth defender in his own goal after being pressured by two players, one of them being Keirrison.

Read more:
Keirrison officially presented as Benfica player