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Boavista playing the home game on artificial turf

Boavista will do their home games on an artificial turf, which will not help them much unless they improve their game

CS Maritimo

As expected, the newly promoted Boavista opened their season with a defeat. Judging by their performance in Braga, they are not ready for the return to yet another first division season. To make things even worse, they conceded goals in the opening minutes of each half time. The game today is a special one since it marks the return of top-division football at Bessa, but that's not the only reason. It will be played on artificial turf, which does not happen in Portugal often.

Coach Petit has the tough task of bringing his team's quality to a higher level. The team is made up of little known inexperienced players, but the coach claims they're more motivated and better prepared than they were ahead of the first round game: 

- We know we're in for a game against a tough opponent, but we're ready. We've been working hard for the past eight weeks, and I can feel the team are more motivated and better prepared. We know each other much better now. I expect the players to make less mistakes compared to the game in Braga.

They won't be able to count on Ervoes, who was sent off in the game against Braga.

Benfica opened the championship with a win for the first time in 10 years. Their opponent put up a good fight, and even had the chance to score a penalty kick early on. Their second round meeting is against Boavista on artificial turf. But, coach Jesus doesn't think that will be a problem for his team:

- Boavista are back in the league, and that's what special, not the turf. The atmosphere will be nice, what with all the adrenalin, and that will be a challenge, not the artificial turf. We have two of those at our camp, and we won't be looking for excuses in it. Boavista are always a tough opponent when playing home. The enthusiasm about being promoted will give their game an extra kick. We've been preparing this week for the tough game, but every game is tough.

The paperwork for Brazil's Julio Cezar signing was finally sorted out, and he can join the team. Pizzi, Lisandro López, Nélson Oliveira, and Enzo Pérez, who might not play today, are all on the list of 20 players the coach will choose from today. Julio Cesar and Samaris are still not on it.