Liga Sagres: Associação Académica de Coimbra 2–3 Sport Lisboa e Benfica

Last Weekend the reds visited the city of the students, Coimbra to play against the local team. AC Coimbra received SL Benfica on Sunday, 18h and playing at home tried everything to win points.

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The first half started with the goal of Benfica, before the 3rd minute of the game. A goal obtained through a header of Weldon on the adversary area. Benfica controlled well the ball but some difficulties appeared, mainly because of the good organization of the team commanded by André Villas Boas. Académica reached the equalize by Diogo Gomes 29’ after receiving the ball had a powerful shot into the nets of our goalkeeper. Quim hardly could have avoid the goal, the ball came with effect and also because it slightly touched the centerback Sidney. Sidney that took the place of Luisão on the game. David Luiz was the captain of the team and helped the team to go looking for the second goal. Before the end of this part Weldon 41’ scored again, this time with his right foot after a brilliant cross from Angel Di Maria. The Argentine once again was in good plan and served the way he knows the reds attackers, Di Maria his one of the best players on the team serving his companions.

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On the second half, André Villas Boas wanted to gain strength on the centre of the pitch made some changes. Jorge Jesus rapidly understood the new positions of the students and told Carlos Martins 56’ to enter to substitute O. Cardozo. The team became better on the midfield and, the number twenty of SLB, Di Maria almost reached the goal, but Rui Nereu the AC Coimbra goalkeeper defended well. The student players, Pedrinho, Sougou and Vouho they tried to reach the game equalize but the red defenders were better. On the 64th minute there was a chance for Carlos Martins score, after a tremendous shot, but the ball stopped on the Académica’s post. Alan Kardec entered to the place of Weldon. Jorge Jesus knowing that the result was not comfortable collocated into the pitch the Brazilian Ramires on the Aimar’s place. On the following minute, Di Maria on the left, crossed for the goal of Rúben Amorim 80’. When William Tiero scored 87’ for Académica few believed the 3 points could escape to the eagles.

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A deserved victory from SL Benfica on a very tactical game, Jorge Jesus demonstrated why his experience makes our team play a beautiful football, and the most important, that is, helping the Club to occupying the Portuguese League Top position.

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There are only 3 games to dispute and some fans feeling that the Portuguese League title is near made the following video. It was recorded in the Lisbon centre Marquês de Pombal, a special place used habitually to celebrate the red victories on the championship.

RESERVED

Liga Sagres: Sport Lisboa e Benfica 2 - 0 Sporting Clube de Portugal

Benfica returned to internal competition with a marvellous result, two null over the Lisbon rival Sporting CP. Previously to this game the disappointment of Liverpool.

Last Thursday Benfica went to Liverpool to face the local team of Liverpool FC and came with a 4-1 defeat. Rafael Benitez was intelligent and contained his players strengths. The first twenty minutes everyone expected a tuff Liverpool but it didn't appear. Benfica was well during that period but the fatigued started growing after the first half.

Jorge Jesus made some changes on the principal team and Sidney surged as backcenter. The team may have gain on having players taller, but in fact lost velocity and this factor may have been determinant on the defeat. The rapid counterattacks of the UK team and some mistakes of our goalkeeper Julio Cesar were also important. The Liverpool players like, Lucas (34'), Kuyt (28'), Gerrard and especially Fernando Torres (59' and 82') made a great exhibition and took all the hope to Jorge Jesus team. Players like David Luiz, Luisão and Cardozo (70') tried to reach the goals needed to go into the next Europa League round, but their work was not enough. Although the numbers may represent a big difference, in fact, the eliminatory was not so unequal and Benfica could also have passed. The truth is that Liverpool FC has a great team and in fact deserved the victory.

Yesterday, Benfica received the Sporting CP team for the Portuguese League Sagres and won the game. The victory was obtained on the second half, after a first part where Sporting CP played better. Pedro Mendes, Miguel Veloso and Moutinho were some of the better "lion" players on Luz. On a game with few opportunities of goal for both sides, Cardozo, on the 68th minute, had the fortune to score just before his substitution. Few minutes earlier on a ball disputed with the Sporting defenders he became injured and asked to go out. Jorge Jesus left Aimar on the bench and when he entered Benfica gained the midfield. Aimar (78') attitude was determinant for the team achieve the final result of 2-0, after a brilliant pass of the Brazilian Ramires. Also players like Rúben Amorim, Fábio Coentrão, Carlos Martins and Luisão played very well, specially David Luiz who once again demonstrated the mentality of a winner.

The Europa League dream vanished but the conscience of a work well done is present and that's what really counts. When the work is done on a proper way the victories and the titles will appear sooner or later.

Europa League: Liverpool Football Club vs Sport Lisboa e Benfica

Tonight SL Benfica visits one of the more emblematic Stadium of the football world, Anfield. The stadium belongs to the English team of Liverpool FC. Later more than a football game we hope, we will be able to see a brilliant show, with lots of stars on both sides.

Liverpool FC was formed on the 15th of March 1892. It was at John Houlding's house in Anfield Road that he and his closest friends left from Everton FC, formed a new club. William.E.Barclay, a great football enthusiast, strongly suggested that they should go on with a new name: Liverpool. This historical Club has won along the times, 18 league titles, 7 FA Cups, 7 League Cups, 3 UEFA Cups and 5 European Cups.

Stadium: Anfield (45 000 Spectators)
Local Time: 21:05
Referee: Kuipers (NED)

Rafael Benitez to the Press
We are much stronger than we were few years ago, when Ronald Koeman and his Benfica won here in Anfield. Our team is better and the players feel that here is the oportunity of winning a trophie this season.

Jorge Jesus to the Press
We will make an excelent game tomorrow (today) like we did in Marseilles. Liverpool will initially be very strong but we are aware of that. Our players needed at least more 24 hours to be in better conditions but we intended that the Portuguese League is our main objective. However let’s now focus only on the Europa League game.
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Anfield is mystical for Liverpool FC, the place that already belonged to the “Toffees”, tonight can again be a stage of success for our players, like it was four years ago. Let's all walk with SL Benfica at the end of the game, from Anfield Road till the John Lennon Airport and finally to Portugal, with a smile.