Liga Sagres: SL Benfica 4-0 Associação Académica de Coimbra

SL Benfica with this victory is with the same points of SC Braga in the top of the Portuguese League classification.

For the Portuguese League, Liga Sagres, Benfica received last Sunday night the “students” team. The Associação Académica de Coimbra visited Luz with the hope of obtaining a victory. In fact, the last two visits from the Académica team to the eagles nest had similed to them, where they won both games. The game was marked by lots of rain and lots of goals but, this time, for the reds. Óscar Cardozo with 3 goals and Saviola with the most beautiful goal of the night gave a tremendous hapinness to all the fans present in Luz.

Benfica brought from the Belarus cold 3 precious points that guarantee to the reds the 1st place of the Uefa Europa League group I.

The eagles went to play against FC BATE Borisov last Wednesday and obtained a very important victory. Two goals from the eagles against one from the Belarussian team gives us hope at the next knockout stages draw. One of the main advantages of being the group winner is to avoid the teams that are coming from the Champions League.

The game was disputed on the Dinamo stadium in Minsk (10.000), and some changes were operated by Jorge Jesus: Fábio Coentrão took the place of Di Maria and F. Menezes the place of Aimar, Miguel Vitor played instead of Luisão and Júlio César was the goalkeeper. The low temperatures were probably the main reason for the reds apathy, mainly, on the first half, where FC BATE was the only team near the goal, on a Krivets free kick. Fortunately, the second half couldn’t have started better. A brilliant triangular process, between Filipe Menezes and Fábio Coentrão originated the opportunity to Saviola (46’) score and he did it. Saviola again on the left side of the reds attack, had another chance and gave it to Coentrão (63’) that took it, making the second goal for the reds. The players of FC BATE were dangerous on free kicks and on corners and reached the goal on a Miguel Vitor own goal. When Di Maria and Aimar entered the game, could have scored but, the really important thing now is the group position achieved.

Europa League: FC BATE Borisov vs Sport Lisboa e Benfica

SL Benfica will play tonight against FC BATE, fighting not only, for a point that gives access to the next round, but for a victory.

The Football Club Borisov Works of Automobile and Tractor Electronic Equipment was founded in 1973. FC BATE is the 2oo8 Champions of the Belarus and also of the last two years. The team also won the Belarus Championship on 1999 and 2002.

The plane took during a 4.30h journey the twenty one players that are available to play later in Minsk. On the other side, Jorge Jesus will no be able to count with Sidnei, Carlos Martins, Luis Filipe and Luisão but for sure other players will be good alternatives.

Although the low temperatures on the Belarus, the players only think on achieving a victory. The cold may be a problem for the reds but never a excuse, like Ramires says and when they enter the pitch to play against the Yellow-blue team of Borisov they will certanly forget it quickly.

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Jorge Jesus to the Press:
“We will not face this game thinking that a draw gives us the qualification to the next phase. Our idea is to win here, that may allow us to obtain the group first place.”

Viktor Goncharenko to the Press:
“We know very weel the Benfica team. He hope to win the game, although a draw would be satisfatory, and tet’s see what happens on the other group game.”

Town Stadium: Stadion Horodskiy(20h local time)

Futbolniy Klub Borisov Works of Automobile and Tractor Electronic Equipment
Goalkeepers: Sergei Veremko and Dmytro Ivanov;
Defenders: Sergei Sosnovski, Igor Shitov, Aleksandr Yurevich, Artyom Radkov, Maksim Bordachov and Vladimir Rzhevski;
Midfileders: Dmitri Likhtarovich, Aleksandr Volodko, Sergei Krivets, Aleksandr Pavlov, Igor Stasevich, Mikhail Kravchuk and Maksim Volodko;
Forwards: Vitali Bulyga, Aleksandr Alumona, Vitali Rodionov and Hovannes Goaryan.
Coach: Viktor Goncharenko.

Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Goalkeepers: Quim, Moreira, Júlio César;
Defenders: Maxi Pereira, Roderick Miranda, Miguel Vítor, David Luiz, Shaffer, César Peixoto;
Midfielders: Javi Garcia, Ramires, Ruben Amorim, Pablo Aimar, Di María, Fábio Coentrão, Felipe Menezes;
Forwards: Saviola, Cardozo, Nuno Gomes, Weldon, Keirrison;
Coach: Jorge Jesus.

Referee
Thomas Einwaller (AUT)
Assistant referee
Norbert Schwab (AUT) Klaus Strasser (AUT)
Additional assistant referee
Bernhard Brugger (AUT) Dietmar Drabek (AUT)
Thomas Prammer (AUT)

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

Last weekend the eagles visited the lions and a null draw was the final result.

SL Benfica went to a full Alvalade Stadium last Saturday night where our team played against Sporting Clube Portugal. The greens (SCP) were in a difficult period, on the 8th place and with a distance of eleven points from the top. The eagles were in better shape but knewing that in those conditions it wouldn’t be an easy game.

The game turned out very tactical and much miedfield played. Carlos Carvalhal the lions new coach did eveything he could to show a good team on his first derby. Jorge Jesus awaited for a genious to appear on the game like Di Maria or Pablo aimar.

Few oportunities on a good game, where the result made justice to both teams perfomance. On the eagles side Cardozo, Quim and Ramires were in evidence. Also David Luiz and Javi Garcia showed arguments to aniquilate the habilities of some green players like Moutinho, Veloso and Liedson.

After the game Jorge Jesus noticed that SLB had won this game because the team was able to mantain a candidate to the title on a considerable distance. Nevertheless, this will only became a reality if, J. Jesus be able to keep the good team perfomances and of course with good results.

When a high level game like this occurs it is needed to observe two aspects: the pitch and the visitant fans. A Stadium like this one of Alvade deserved a better pitch. The grass was not at the level of the stars and when it is show everyone looses. On the second aspect, about the fans, it is sad to watch more than 1600 young red people treated so badly until they arrive the stadium. In Portugal laws are created to allow, that animals, have to be transported in better conditions. Those 1600 football lovers payed a lot to see the game and deserved better treatment. More sun and more police are for sure not the solution.

When the team can’t win a game, the better thing they can do is: NOT loosing it.