Liga Sagres: Rio Ave Futebol Clube 0-1 Sport Lisboa e Benfica

In one of the most difficult games of this weekend, the reds visited Via da Conde, and brought three precious points back home.

Everyone knew that playing against Rio Ave FC, at their place, is extremely complicated and, if any doubts could be, the results achieved by them on the first half of the Liga Sagres, express perfectly well that: 7 games played – 2 Victories – 4 draws – 1 defeat. Useless to say that the defeat was this Saturday night against Benfica.

Jorge Jesus wanted to win this game, but he couldn’t get to much risks and suffering a goal. The eagle players could have entered better on the first half, but the structure of Rio Ave FC, made by Carlos Brito, didn’t allow that. Players like Fábio Faria, Bruno Gama and also the veteran João Tomás, for instance, consolidate this northern team, making of it one of the most solid on the midfield and mainly on the defence. Fortunately for us the return from the dressing rooms gave the players a different moral, that allowed Benfica reaching the goal. The goal was scored by Saviola on a lucky kick, after a corner kick has been marked and the opponent players stayed mainly worried with the taller guys.

Javier Pedro Saviola Fernández (1981/12/11)

Javier Saviola known also as El Conejo (The Rabbit) was born in, Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1981.

This Argentine player who also detains the Spanish nationality, by the age of sixteen began playing football on River Plate. The excellent performances and the title of the South American Football player of the year 1999 helped his talent being recognized.

The European dream became true, for one of the most important teams of the old Continent, Barcelona FC signed him when he was 19 years old. Louis Van Gaal helped him grew up and he responded with goals. After that fantastic season some ups and downs occurred on Cataluña and ended with the loan to the French team of AS Monaco FC. Later another loan allowed him the conquer of the Uefa Cup, while representing this Spanish team of Sevilla FC, in 2006. The return to Barça was a reality but noticed was the following season when Real Madrid signed with him.

This striker is known by his agility and velocity. He scores easily and likes to appear on the second posts on corner kicks and free kicks. Saviola likes to enter the penalty area with or without the ball to score. A disgrace to the opponent defensives.

Now it is time to represent the reds and play in the Cathedral "Luz". Among his companions, one above all, has many responsabilities for the presence of Javier in Luz, is name P. Aimar. His old River Plate mate told him, how big Benfica is and, how he could once again show his qualities, this time in Portugal.

Everyone can see that the "Rabbit" is happy for being playing with regularity and also for being part of this Benfica team.

Tonight Benfica will visit the city where Portugal became a Nation, Guimarães where we will be facing the local team Vitória Sport Clube. This game is the second one of the Liga Cup Group competition, where we expect another victory.