Europa League: Sport Lisboa e Benfica vs Liverpool Football Club

A full Luz stadium is prepared to receive one of the most important games of the UEFA Europa League night. Liverpool Football Club visits Lisbon and will face one of the best Benfica’s team of the last years. Reds against reds. If this game between this teams, who normal use red colors, occurred on the Hamburg final, no one could would be surprised, because we are talking about two European historical clubs.

SL Benfica receives the Liverpool FC with the physical and physiological indices on top. In fact, occupying the first place of the Portuguese League and being the victorious team on the recent Carlsberg Cup Final helps in a very positive way the moral of the eagle’s players. Jorge Jesus wants the players concentrated and to be focused on the teamwork. Players like Aimar, Saviola, Cardozo, Martins and David Luiz can make the difference. Others like Ramires, Maxi Pereira, Javi Garcia and Luisão turn the group more solid. Every player want to be on that pitch later, but only eleven can be the ones to enter. Jorge Jesus knows that and also that this will be probably decided in Liverpool.

Liverpool FC only arrived to Lisbon yesterday night and they decided not to experiment the Luz “green”. Rafael Benitez worked already with some of the eagle’s players that will face tonight and probably feels that their capacity may decide the eliminatory. Liverpool comes to face Benfica with brilliant players like for instance, Reina, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, but conscientious that their exhibitions during the current season hasn’t been as good as they wanted to.

A great game is expected, between two teams that, for sure enjoy scoring goals. What better can a spectator want than goals? Off course we hope that those goaaaaals may be scored for our boys. Both teams will never walk alone.

Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Swe)

Liga Sagres: Sport Lisboa e Benfica 1-0 Sporting Clube de Braga

SL Benfica gave a enormous step to achieve the season title. Last Saturday night a full Luz Stadium saw the red athletes winning the game against the second place, SC Braga. The tickets had vanished two weeks before and the two better teams playing football in Portugal on the present season were facing each other.

The reds coach, Jorge Jesus, decided that the eleven players starting the game would be: Quim, the goalkeeper, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, David Luiz and Fábio Coentrão on the defensive, helped also by Javi García. On the midfield Ramires, Carlos Martins and Di Maria, while on the attack Cardozo and Saviola tried to reach the goal. In fact the goal was obtained on this first half, more concretely just before it ends, and by the centerback Luisão after a corner kick on the right. D. Paciência, SC Braga’s coach, tried to changes things on the second half, and his players started to appear near the reds area. And some danger occurred mainly by Mossoró, Paulo César and Alan, and many times on the free kicks of Hugo Viana or Luís Aguiar, this last one had entered the game meanwhile. J. Jesus knowing that the most important was to obtain the three points made Rúben Amorim, Pablo Aimar and Kardec substitute C. Martins, Ramitres and Saviola. Pedro Proença, the referee of the game, was very well during the game, although a penalty could had been marked, against SC Braga, when the ball touched Rodriguez’s hand. But, in our opinion Proença decided well and Rodriguez, one of the best centerbacks playing in our championship didn’t deserve that. SC Braga has this year and similar to the previous seasons great players on the team, and two examples of that are Luís Filipe and César Peixoto, the reds defenders who did not had the chance to play on this game.

Luís Filipe Ângelo Rodrigues Fernandes (1979/06/14)

Luís Filipe started playing football in 1996, on the youth teams of Associação Académica de Coimbra and later, in 1999, he went to Spain where he represented the B Team of Club Atlético de Madrid. This experience made him move to SC Braga to play for two years. His experience was good and the games made also brought good results to him and Sporting CP decided to sign him in 2oo1 a contract. This right winger played many times as defender, the results were not so good and the Sporting CP administrators decided to loan L. Filipe to União Desportiva de Leiria. Stability was not a point on his favour and he jumped to the island of Madeira to play for the Club Sport Marítimo. Thirty games later he returned to SC Braga where he participated on more than fifty games. This positive regularity opened the Luz doors and he came to Benfica in 2oo7. He stayed the first season, but on the second (2oo8-o9) he went, for loan, to Vitória SC where he played till he came back. This thirty years old player, hasn’t many chances on this actual Benfica, but Luis Filipe can for sure do much better when he gets his opportunity.

Paulo César Silva Peixoto (1980/05/12)

César Peixoto was born in the same place where Portugal was founded, the beautiful city of Guimarães. He represented a region club when he initiated his career. This northern club was Clube Caçadores das Taipas. Two seasons later in 2oo1 he came to Lisbon to play for Clube de Futebol «Os Belenenses» where he stayed for a year. His performance was so good that José Mourinho moving to FC Porto asked to his pass to be acquired. In the city of Porto and representing the local Club he stayed since 2oo2 till 2oo6. In between, he was loaned to Vitória SC and in last year to RCD Espanyol de Barcelona. Great games he had on one hand but on other some annoying injuries that frustrated his plans. César Peixoto returned to Portugal to play for SC Braga for two seasons and then was bought be SL Benfica. César Peixoto played many times on the left wing of the teams he represented but the necessities of the Clubs made him occupy the left back. His good performances made him got the place. The majority of the titles won by César where in FC Porto, like for instance Uefa Cup and Champions League, but he will for sure win some more while representing the Eagles.

Benfica is now 6 points away from SC Braga and the League is not yet won, but this victory represents a great deal. On the other hand SC Braga needs to look down because the second place and the Champions League access can be loss, this because FC Porto is only 5 points distance. Let’s now buy one of the few tickets available for receiving Liverpool FC for the Uefa Europa League next Thursday.

Glory days: Carlsberg Cup Victory and Europa League Quarter-Finals

Portuguese Sports Newspapers

Yesterdays Frontpage

(ABola,OJogo,Record)

Carlsberg Cup Final: Sport Lisboa e Benfica 3-0 Futebol Clube Porto

SL Benfica brings another Carlsberg Liga Cup home. After the previous victory on this competition Benfica went to Algarve Stadium last Sunday to defeat the actual Portuguese Champion FC Porto.

The afternoon started not so well with disturbs caused by hooligans. The police should be more prepared to deal with this kind of situations and the laws should punish the prevaricators. A football game must be a pleasant time for everyone who pay for the tickets, that are not always cheap and easy to buy. The ones who really search for troubles should stay at home or be present to a police station, this independently of the colours they defend.

The game started with both teams well distributed on the pitch and Quim had some troubles to solve. The reds goalkeeper had at least two great defences before the reds goals. Benfica's goal appeared when Rúben Amorin shot the FC Porto's nets and Nuno E. Santo let the ball with a mistake, pass into the nets. Benfica that entered the game with some changes, like for instance the entrance of Alan Kardec, Airton and Carlos Martins. This last player Carlos Martins was preponderant on the game, when he made a fantastic goal on a free kick marked on a distance superior to 30 meters.

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When the second half started everyone thought Jesualdo Ferreira would do something important on FC Porto team, but the red players were more than motivated and did not let them. A tremendous game from Luisão and David Luiz dominated Falcão and Cristian Rodriguez. To register on this second half only two things. The first one his the Bruno Alves FC Porto bad attitude, that needs to be more grown up, like for instance Alan Kardec, Pablo Aimar and Óscar Cardozo were dealing with him. The second point was the great performance of Rúben Amorim that gave the third red goal to Cardozo, just before the end of the game. A deserved victory from the best team on the Algarve Stadium.

Before the Liga Cup Victory Benfica went to France were few Believed a victory could be reached.

Europa League: Olympique de Marseille 1-2 Sport Lisboa e Benfica

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Memorable game for the reds. Olympique de Marseille received Benfica knowing that they were in advantage and made a game of contention and that was their mistake.

Benfica entered the Velodrome Stadium with the wish of scoring goals. The opportunities appeared but the lack of luck made all the chances being missed. On the other hand Olympique de Marseille had a chance and scored. Brandão passed Júlio César and gave Niang (70') the chance to score and he did not missed it. Fortunately for us Maxi Pereira (75') was once again decisive against the French and scored a goal on a long distance kick. Benfica dominated the game and Didier Deschamps had no solutions for the offensive football from the reds.

Ramires and Di Maria were also in good plan on this game on the other hand the referee team (Skomina - Svn) forgot to sanctioned two faults on the French penalty area for Benfica's. Both committed by the same Marselha's player Taye Taiwo. When everyone expected for the final whistle Alan Kardec (90') appeared alone in the area, on a free kick, and scored the winning goal. It's fair to say, that this goal and the eliminatory were more than justified and deserved for the eagles.

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Alan Kardec de Souza Pereira Junior (1989/01/12)

Kardec was born in Barra Mansa near Rio de Janeiro. This young striker made his formation on the Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama "school". There he also played in the youth teams from 2ooo till 2oo7. After it, he was called for the main team and there he stayed during the next two years, playing on more than fifty games. On the Valentines day of 2oo7 he played for the first time on the senior team of Vasco da Gama, on a victory against Nacional Fast Clube (2-1), on a game counting for the Brazilien Cup. Before he sign with the Lisbon team, SL Benfica, he was loaned to the Sport Club Internacional. To register also his participations on the Brazil Youth National Teams.

Alan Kardec his a tall striker who likes to discover spaces on the opponent areas. Kardek shots easily and scores even more if the adversaries give him to much space. He his smart and likes to play for the companions, has team spirit, thinking first on the collective and for last on himself. If he keeps that mentallity and interiorize what the coach needs from him, we will for sure gain respect and his place on the "tuff" European Football.

UEFA Europa League draw

Quarter-finals: 1 & 8 April

1: Fulham FC (ENG) v VfL Wolfsburg (GER)

2: Hamburger SV (GER) v R. Standard de Liège (BEL)

3: Valencia CF (ESP) v Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP)

4: SL Benfica (POR) v Liverpool FC (ENG)

Semi-finals: 22 & 29 April

1: Winner quarter-final 2 v Winner quarter-final 1

2: Winner quarter-final 3 v Winner quarter-final 4

Final: 12 May

Hamburg Arena

On the following day (Friday 19 Mar) the UEFA's draw decided that the next Benfica's opponent will be the great team of Liverpool Football Club. One thing is certain the team that goes into the next round to face the winner of the confront between Valencia Club de Futbol and Club Atlético de Madrid, will "Never Walk Alone".

Europa League: Olympique de Marseille vs Sport Lisboa e Benfica

This will be the day of decisions in the UEFA Euroa League. After a one goal draw in luz a great game expects Marseilles this afternoon.

A late goal from Ben Arfa gave Marseille the chance to receive the eagles in advantage. We all are aware that away goals are fundamental, so the expectations are at high level to see the stars in the Velodrome pitch later.

Olympique de Marseille is one of the most important French clubs of all times. This historical Club has been Champion of France already ten times, conquered the same number of France Cups. In Europe O. Marseilles was European Champion in 1993.

The Club of Olympique de Marseille was founded in 1899 in the city with the same name located in the famous region of the south of France. The Mediterrean animates the city and gives colour to it. The locals are not very friendly of foreigners but times are changing. In 1924 the first conquer was obtained, the French Cup. This great team achieved the first Championship victory in 1929. After 1986 great success moments took place and victories were obatined with the help of Bernard Tapie. To remember will be the players who played by then, Papin, Waddle, Francescolli, Stojkovic and so many others.


To the Press:

Didier Deschamps

We need to be well organized like we were in Luz. If we defend well for sure it will appear opportunities to our team score. We know that we can’t leave the Benfica players with the ball, because they do have good quality. I think this two teams will make the game like if it was of the Champions league, so we need the public to come to Velodrome to support our team.

Jorge Jesus

Our first objectiv is to win the Portuguese League. But this is another competition and we want to go on through the next round. We know that Marseille scored a goal in Lisbon but we are think we also can score in Velodrome. All my players are well, so let’s try to do even better in Europa League that the team did last year.


Vélodrome Stadium 19.00 (local time) » 60 000 Spectators
Referee: Skomina (Svn)

Olympique de Marseille

Goalkeepers: Mandanda and Andrade;
Defenders: Bonnart, Diawara, Hilton, and Taiwo;
Midfielders: Cissé, Mbia, Be.Cheyrou, Lucho Gonzalez, Abriel, Kaboré, Ben Arfa and Valbuena;
Forwards: Koné, Niang, Morientes and Brandão
Coach: Didier Deschamps.

Sport Lisboa e Benfica

Goalkeepers: Júlio César, Quim and Moreira;
Defenders: Maxi Pereira, Luisão, David Luiz, Miguel Vítor and Sidnei;
Midfielders: Airton, Ramires, Ruben Amorim, Javi Garcia, Carlos Martins, Pablo Aimar, Felipe Menezes, Di María, Fábio Coentrão and Éder Luís;
Forwards: Saviola, Cardozo, Nuno Gomes, Kardec and Weldon;
Coach: Jorge Jesus.

Benfica independently of winning or loosing the competitions where still is envolved, the Portuguese League, the Europa League and the Liga Cup, is doing one of the best seasons of the last years and most important of that this team enjoys the game. Somepeople say that the Target Bonus implemented in Luz seem to be the secret of this season success. I personnally agree that money makes people wok better not only in soccer but in other activities. Nevertheless, if there is a main reason for this season perfomance, that reason is Jorge Jesus and his dedication to the football team.

Liga Sagres: Clube Desportivo Nacional 0-1 Sport Lisboa e Benfica

Madeira Island is recovering from the recent and terrible catastrophe occurred, with tremendous material and person losses registered. While life is coming back to normal with its ups and downs, Benfica visited one of the local teams, Nacional. The Madeira team is again well oriented by Manuel Machado, who unfortunately, for health reasons, needed to be away from the pitches for some time.

Both teams entered determination on the game and the goal could have occurred for both sides. Nacional although the recent loss of one of the most influent players on the team, Rúben Micael, who has been sold to FC Porto, continues with a football of high quality level. In their stadium they are even stronger and from the teams who visited them, few took from there the 3 points.

In evidence on the CD Nacional team were the goalkeeper Bracalli, Patacas and Halliche. Also in good plan were Leandro Salino and Thiago Gentil. Saviola and Cardozo tried to reach the goal on the first half without success. On the second part of the game Coentrão missed a chance and Cardozo a Penalty kick. But two minutes later Ruben Amorim gave another possibility to Cardozo score after a tremendous run on the right and a perfect cross to Tacuara score. Who also helped the conquer of the three points was Ramires and Quim, our goalkeeper.

This important victory occurred precisely with few time to rest from the previous game that, had been in Luz on the Thursday before, against the Olympique de Marseille team for the Europa League competition.

The stadium was not full but with many people who wanted to see two great teams. Benfica entered more dinamic and had some chances to score being to register on this first half some missed chances from Pablo Aimar, Saviola, Di Maria, Cardozo and of Brandão and of the Argentine Lucho for Marseille. Deschamps knew that a goal from the French could be important and, after the pause his players were better positionated on the pitch and exerced more pressure over the red players. Fortunately Júlio César, the “eagles” keeper, was in very good plan on two or three shots. Benfica reorganized, Ramires and Maxi Pereira become in evidence and caused terrible headheaches to the French. On the minute 75 SLB reaches the deserved goal by Maxi Pereira after a good pass from Di Maria. Ramires ten minutes later could have scored thw second but the ball did not enter. When everyone looked at their watches Ben Arfa scored for the O. Marseille.

Benfica will try everything now in France, knowing that a goal is needed. Although Niang (Marseille captain) and his companions think they are closer of the next phase, Benfica still have a word to say. On La Ligue things don’t seem to go as Deschamps wanted and in Vélodrome some nervousism may appear. Who are more confident after this weekend victory are the Benfica fans who already bought all the tickets for the game against SC Braga on the 27th March. This game might be the game of the season and the fans know it. For now let’s do our best in the Europa League.

Europa League: Sport Lisboa e Benfica vs Olympique de Marseille

Tonight SL Benfica receives the team of Olympique de Marseille. The French team returns to Portugal to play against the reds twenty years after a polemic game.

The team of O. Marseille comes to Luz, to dispute the first hand of the UEFA Europa League 1/8, after eliminating the Danish team of F.C. Copenhagen and after making a good work in the Champions League, although they didn’t go on through that competition. The team orientated by Didier Deschamps wants to make a different result from the one obtained twenty years ago in Lisbon. There was a full stadium to receive the semi-final of the European Champions Cup in 1990. Marseille had a good team but the eyes of the European were in the red players like for instance Silvino, Veloso, Aldaír, V. Paneira, Valdo and the Swedish player Matts Magnusson. But in that night one Angolan footballer would become the hero, his name Vata. He had entered the game to substitute Jonas Thern and near the end of the game, when there was less than 10’ to end it, Vata sent the ball with a touch of his hand into the French nets, the referee did not see the Vata’s fault and considered the goal valid. The public was so euphoric that was created the perfect ambient in Luz to Benfica go on into the final. The results against O. Marseille were 1-0 and 1-2. That final would be later lost in Vien against the AC Milan of Frank Rijkaard, Gullit and Van Basten.

SL Benfica players are focused on winning the Portuguese League but everyone wants to play this games and most important honouring the Club. Olympique de Marseille comes to Lisbon with very good players like Brandão, Ben Arfa, Niang, Lucho Gonzalez, and Valbuena. Both teams must be concentrated and conscientious that a goal can make the difference. To the Press:


To the Press:

Jorge Jesus
The Portuguese coach said that he wanted a victory. Responding also to a reporter said that a perfect result would be victory of 5-0. In fact, J. Jesus recognised that the French are a very dangerous team and the prove of that is the good performance they had in the Champions League, where they faced teams like Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Didier Deschamps
The French coach considered that Benfica is playing very well and that playing at home are a team that scores easily but that Marseille wants to get a good result.


Referee: Félix Brych (Germany)

Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Goalkeepers: Júlio César and Moreira;
Defenders: Maxi Pereira, Miguel Vítor, Luisão; David Luiz and César Peixoto;
Midfielders: Airton, Javi Garcia, Ramires, Ruben Amorim, Carlos Martins, Fábio Coentrão, Pablo Aimar and Di María;
Forwards: Saviola, Óscar Cardozo, Nuno Gomes, Éder Luís and Alan Kardec;
Coach: Jorge Jesus.

Olympique de Marseille
Goalkeepers: Mandanda and Andrade; Defenders: Bonnart, Diawara, Hilton, Mbow and Taiwo; Midfielders: Cissé, Mbia, Be.Cheyrou, Lucho Gonzalez, Abriel, Kaboré, Ben Arfa, Valbuena and N´Doumbou;
Forwards: Koné, Niang, Morientes and Brandão;
Coach: Didier Deschamps.

Liga Sagres: Sport Lisboa e Benfica 3-1 Paços de Ferreira Futebol Clube

Last Sunday, Benfica received the northern team of Paços de Ferreira that were coming from seven games without defeats, and obtained 3 more important points.

When the reds entered the Luz pitch knew that the direct rivals had already lost points on their games. The teams of SC Braga and FC Porto had only obtained one point each, this because they both had draws on the games they disputed, against Vitória SC away and Olhanense at home, respectively. The public, near 43000 spectators, felling that our team, the reds, could gain an important, three point distances from the second classified on the Liga Sagres, and eleven from the third, went to Luz Stadium helping the team to win this tuff game.

SL Benfica entered the game with a strong wish of winning the game and scored two early goals. The first goal was obtained, on the twelve minute, by Rúben Amorim. A precious insistence of Cardozo that after a brilliant cross from Di Maria, passed the ball to Amorim. The second goal was scored by “El Conejo”, Saviola. Benfica tried to reach the third goals and almost got it, but the chances were missed. Paços with a good team in Luz had fewer chances but also scored. On the 43’ William reduced scoring the Paços de Ferreira goal.

Julio Coelho the Paços de Ferreira goalkeeper was in evidence on the second half making some notable defences. Also in evidence on Paços team were Candeias and Maykon, fortunately for us Quim, the eagles keeper was in good plan. Quim was helped also by 70’ positive minutes of Airton who played in the place of J. Garcia, in front of Luizão, David Luiz, Maxi Pereira and Fábio Coentrão. Ulisses Morais players tried everything to change things but, Cardozo (58’) scored the third goal of the team and made the fans sing on Luz. Some minutes to show their value had Filipe Menezes, Sidnei and César Peixoto who entered the game on the last twenty minutes.

Airton Ribeiro Santos (1990-02-21)

Airton was born and raised in Nova Iguaçu near one o the most important cities in Brazil and in the world, Rio de Janeiro. When he was thirteen he started playing football at Nova Iguaçu Futebol Clube. He kept playing in youth teams of Mesquita Futebol Clube and later by indication of Adílio (youth coach) in Clube de Regatas do Flamengo when this last club signed him partially.

Airton, on a game (9-7-2oo8) of CR Flamengo against Atlético Mineiro made his first appearance on the Brazilian championship, when the coach Joel Santana called him from the bench.

He became Brazilian Champion with his mates on the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo team, before Benfica opened him the “doors” of Europe, signing with him a five years contract in the last winter market.

This young player may have a brilliant future ahead of him. He his strong physically and tall, but that characteristics don’t turn him slower and that’s important to help the team defending. He wins many balls turning the defence much more solid. He now needs time to meet better his companions and work well on the opportunities given to him by the actual Benfica’s coach Jorge Jesus, to progress rapidly but with his feet firmly on the ground, on this new European experience.

On this “gamesweek”, Benfica reached an important position on the top of the Portuguese League. Let’s believe on Jorge Jesus arguments and on the player’s abilities to win this Championship.

LIGA SAGRES: Leixões Sport Clube 0–4 Sport Lisboa e Benfica

Last Saturday night SL Benfica went to the northern, on the 21st "gameweek", to visit the team of the city of Matosinhos, Leixões SC. After the brilliant victory against Hertha Berlin SC, on a day where also Eusébio received the UEFA President’s Award from the hands of M. Platini, the reds returned to the League games with a victory for the same result, 4-0.

For the UEFA Europa League the reds received on Thursday afternoon the German team of Hertha Berlin SC and the final result was a great victory. Four goals for Benfica and zero for the Berliner team. Benfica dominated the majority of the game and made a tremendous exhibition. The Hertha Berlin players tried to avoid the Portuguese team goal with their maxim force and expected always to score a goal. Honestly, although the good performance of Drobný, the goalkeeper and from Cícero and Nicu, there was few they could do against this Benfica. Three goals of the game were scored by the Argentine Pablo Aimar (25’) and the other by Cardozo (48’ and 62’). The other goal of the game was obtained by Javi García who once again was very well. Javi that, after the game, told the Portuguese TV cameras that the team had played good football and defended very well, and considered also, that Benfica has good conditions to make good exhibitions in the UEFA Europa League.

On Saturday, when the Eagles entered the pitch of the Estádio do Mar everyone expected that SL Benfica players would be in "trouble". The weather was terrible, a cold night and lots of rain and of course, the home team, Leixões SC normally don't give many chances to the visitors. Nevertheless, a perfect football team entered that game and demonstrated a strong mentality. Benfica dominated the game and reached the first goal near the thirty minutes, when Éder Luís kicked the ball into the opponent nets. Éder Luís and Airton that started the game being part of the first team and responded correctly to what Jorge Jesus wanted from them. A great game also from Maxi Pereira, Ramires and Luisão always very secure. It is expected that Cardozo and Saviola score the team goals, but when on the game appears a players, in this case, like Àngel Di Maria the task is harder. Di Maria made an Hat trick with 3 goals scored. Well to say the truth he scored one more, when the result was still a draw, but it was invalidated for outside, a misjudge decision of the referee team. Also players like Quim, David Luiz, Fábio Coentrão had a great attitude and were later in the game helped by Carlos Martins, César Peixoto and Rúben Amorim that "jumped" from the reds bench.

Three very important points obtained on a difficult Stadium, the experts say that teams win Championships in this games. Well, Benfica isn't Champion yet but is for sure in the good way. Of course SC Braga is just on one point difference and the team needs to be extremely careful.
Also with this victory on the international competitions Benfica aims the next round and will face the French team of Didier Deschamps, Olympique de Marselha a good present to all Benfica lovers on the same week of the 106 anniversary of our glorious club Sport Lisboa and Benfica.