It was a competitive friendly at the Swansea.com stadium this afternoon between the Swans and Rio Ave from Portugal. The home side ran out deserved winners in a game which did have its moments if friction.
The initial calm with the Swans choosing to pass the ball neatly around soon saw a few hard tackles from the visitors on Eom and Cullen which fired up the pace from the Swans somewhat. After feeling each other out it was the Swans who dominated possession and looked far more likely to score. Unfortunately the good work petered out with Rio’s keeper Jhonatan almost presenting the home side with an opportunity after a defensive mix up. Abdulai again began to impress, as did Josh Key down the right flank. We also saw Jay Fulton further forwards and that would become evident when after twenty minutes he slotted home a fierce cross from Key to net the first goal of the game.
Rio Ave did have a flash shot across Vigouroux’s goal but it wasn’t until the twenty third minute that they gained a corner on the Swans left. The outcome was easily dealt with by the Swansea defence. That inspired Rio Ave who began to match the Swans physicality earning them a second corner which again was well defended by the home side. From that corner a wonderful bit of trickery from Eom on the break was well received by the West stand as he tried to free up Abdulai. The Swans academy product seemed to be everywhere during the first half an hour, his forty seven shirt popping up all over the centre of the field and on both flanks.
Swans head coach, Luke Williams started with Jay Fulton, Matt Grimes and Gonçalo Franco operating in the midfield, and against this type of opposition it was working well. Vigouroux looked competent in possession enabling the Swans to find space to receive his passes. It should also be noted his left foot looks rather sweet on the long ball too.
During the first half that is.
As the half drew to a close we again saw some nice Swansea passing, but the end ball was lacking. Rio Ave did compete well over the first forty five, they are playing in the top league in Portugal and have some quality players. Something else which was noticeable and very pleasing was the work rate of Eom, and his desire to defend and bravely as well. Coupled with him and Abdulai they were the stand out players of the half. Bar Žan Vipotnik, who signed for the Swans officially on Thursday, and who wasn’t expected in Swansea until next week, it seemed he couldn’t wait that long. The club announcing he would be at the game.
The game ended slightly early by my watch as the Swans went in at half time 1-0 up.
The Swans started the second half with the same line up as per the start, and it was Rio Ave who had a great opportunity to score a shot from outside the area which was very well saved by Vigiuroux. He turned the ball away for a corner. The set piece was defended, and a second corner was awarded to the visitors. They looked like a rocket or two had been launched in the away dressing room at half time.
However from that second corner the Swans pressed forwards looking for a second goal. What was becoming frustrating was the Portuguese side were fouling at every opportunity, and that became a continuous theme as then swans tried to open up the game. The visitors also had a few tricks up their sleeves deceiving the officials with some very well rehearsed diving. When Rio Ave tried to play football they managed to strike the Swans post. Sloppiness in giving the ball away the reason with the visitors striker firing in a nice shot. That lapsidasical defending has to be rooted out before the big kick off for sure.
The Swans were becoming far too casual in defence, Vigouroux showing his lack of concentration on two occasions, both of which could have led to a goal. And on fifty six minutes he again made a hash of another ball and that frustrated crowd immensely. His early promise somewhat dented. The Swans simply won’t get away with those errors in the Championship. It has cost the club on too many occasions over the past five seasons. From a free kick Darling headed at the keeper, and it’s clear that tactic which we saw last season hasn’t been forgotten.
Around the hour mark (65 mins) substitutes were made. We will concentrate on the Swans. A water break was called for initially and the changes were made but only by the visitors. Five minutes later Josh Key was replaced by Kyle Naughton. Oli Cooper came on for Franco, and Ruben Providence, a twenty three year old French trialist came on for Eom. There was a bit of a dust up between the sides as the half progressed. And again on seventy minutes which saw the referee intervene. A free kick from Grimes produced nothing, and yes there were echoes of last season, especially over those parts of games you just know will go wrong, but overall it was a decent effort.
The Swans were strong and took a lot of knocks in the second half, some unnecessary. Ruben Providence displayed some nice skill when he beat his man in the area but his shot was saved. Then a wonderful ball from Grimes picked out Abdulai who crossed perfectly for any one of the advancing Swansea players. It was substitute Naughton who reached it first smashing the ball in to the Rio Ave net. 2-0 and all was well.
On eighty two minutes Josh Thomas replaced Liam Cullen.
Minutes later Thomas found himself involved in a move chasing down a defender, he crossed which resulted in Grimes firing home a lovely shot to make it 3-0. Providence providing the assist. It has to be said that the work by Thomas during his short cameo was very noticeable, very busy and it has to be said dynamic. There were some very positive things to take away from this encounter.
It wasn’t a bad game by any means, but it was clear that Rio Ave on this showing are not a match for Swansea City. Their attempts on the break were admirable but lacked conviction. The Swans only issues were again made as a result of their own errors, Vigouroux especially. The game the club want him to play isn’t easy as Andy Fisher has found out. However, he can’t be as lazy on the ball as we have seen today. He has to sharpen up.
Questions will be asked about the absence of Sam Parker and Aimar Govea, that will hopefully be put to bed by Luke Williams later.
A 3-0 win will be welcomed by all, but now we look to next Saturday and the first fixture of the season, away at Middlesbrough.
⚽️ Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; 5 Josh Key 6 Kyle Naughton 65), 5 Ben Cabango, 6 Harry Darling, 6 Josh Tymon; 6 Matt Grimes (captain), 7 Jay Fulton, 6 Goncalo Franco 6 (Ollie Cooper 65); 5 Azeem Abdulai, 7 Liam Cullen 5 (Josh Thomas 83), 6 Eom Ji Sung 7 (Ruben Providence 65) 6.
Unused Substitutes: Nathan Broome, Evan Watts, Kristian Pedersen, Nathan Tjoe-A-On, Liam Smith, Dan Watts, Filip Lissah.
⚽️ Rio Ave: Jhonatan (Cezary Miszta 83), Miguel Nobrega (Jonathan Panzo 83), Joao Novais (Brandon Aguilera 83), Clayton Silva (Karem Zoabi 63), Amine Oudrhiri (Vitor Gomes 83), Tiago Morais (Valentim Sousa 63) (Helder Sa 87), Marios Vrousai, Kiko Bondoso Joao Graca 63), Aderllan Santos (captain) (Julien Lomboto 86), Renato Pantalon, Olinho.
Unused Substitutes: Patrick William, Amine Rehmi, Brandon Aguilera, Joao Tome.
Referee: Thomas Gary Owen
Attendance: 5,439