Benfica 2013/14 UEFA Champions League Peview

 

 

 

The UEFA Champions League is in full swing as it was announced this past Thursday the group stages of the tournament. As you may know the 2013/14 final will be held at the most beautiful stadium in Portugal, The Estadio Da Luz in Lisbon in which at capacity can hold approximately 65,000 spectators.

 

Group "C"

 

All and all the luck of the draw was kind for Benfica this year. (We all remember the horrific first round elimination one year ago when Benfica faced Barcelona, Celtic and Spartak Moscow.) Joining Benfica in Group C will be Anderlecht from Belgium, Olympiacos from Greece and PSG from France. Although no team is a guaranteed win during the group stages, on paper there is no reason why Benfica cannot advance to the round of 16 or even win the group.

 

Matches

 

September 17, 2013 home vs. Anderlecht

October 2, 2013 away vs PSG

October 23, 2013 home vs Olympiakos

November 5, 2013 away vs Olympiakos

November 27, 2013 away vs Anderlecht

December 10, 2013 home vs PSG

 

 

Olympiakos

 

The last time Benfica faced Olympiakos was during the group stages of the Europa League on November 27, 2008 defeating them 5-1. Olympiakos is lead by newly appointed Spanish coach and there is a Spanish influence on that team which includes ex - Benfica goalkeeper Roberto Jiménez Gago. If appointed to those games, here is no doubt he will give it his all. Also from Spain, Defender Miguel Torres (ex-Getafe), Midfielders Ibagaza,and David Furster.

 

Another former Benfica player Javier Saviola has recently joined Olympiakos. Also, two player who are quite familiar to Benfica Paulo Machado (ex-Toulousse) and Salina (Braga, and Nacional)

 

If Benfica underestimate this team, it may cost them points and Olympiakos can very well be a dark horse in the Group C.

 

Prediction: Benfica get the full 6 points but struggle in Greece.

 

PSG

 

In both 2011 and 2007 these teams met each other in the knockout stages of the Europa League. Both times Benfica were able to prevail victorious. Although, PSG are a very wealthy and powerful team in France, will it be that easy for them to dominate Group C. Strikers Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi, and Cavani are goal seekers and if Cortez and Super Maxi don't get into gear, these 3 will run over the Benfica full backs without any difficulty whatsoever.

 

Although PSG's offence is strong, their defence may have European experience they are also aging. For example; Alex, Camara, Maxwell and Jallet are all in their 30's or almost 30 in the case of Jallet. Benfica also has a strong mid with the likes of Enzo, and Matic but have strong playmakers in the newly appointed Serbians Markovic and Djuricic who will have no problem getting past the PGG defense.

 

An advantage for Benfica is when they do play PSG at the Parc des Princes in Paris, I can almost guarantee that  out of the 48, 000 + in attendance, at least half will be supporting red and white.

 

Prediction: Benfica get 4 points, they win at home but tie in Paris.

 

Anderlecht

 

Benfica are 1-1-1 in the last 3 encounters with Belgium's Anderlecht but let's go back to when it mattered. The year was 1983 and Benfica were facing Anderlecht in the UEFA Cup Final. There were 2 games, the first leg was May 4, 1983 held in Brussels in which Anderlecht were victorious and the second was on May 18, 2013 at The Luz in Lisbon. Shéu scored for Benfica in the 32" and Anderlecht soon followed in the 38" with a goal from Lozano. Benfica struggled and tried willingly to break the tie but were unable to claim their first UEFA Cup victory at home losing to Anderlecht.

This was a loss in which most Benfiquistas will not forget and will also remember during the upcoming home and away matches of Group C.

 

Unfortunately, I don't much about this Belgium team but there are similarities to Benfica. The little that I do know is that they are currently third place in the Belgian Pro League. They represent Brussels which the capital of Belgium. They have 32 league titles and although they do not have two back - to - back champions league titles, they have two back - to -back UEFA Europa Cup titles 1983 and 1984. They do not have 7 Serbians but have 2 including a Mitrovic. They have also produced quality players such as Romelu Lukaku, Vincent Kompany and Dries Mertens to name a few.

 

Prediction: Benfica get 6 points

 

 

 

Building Momentum

 

Although Benfica have got off to a dreadful 1-1-1 start to the 2013/14 Liga Zon Sagres campaign, Benfica have consistently appeared in UEFA competition since 2004. Upon the arrival of Jorge Jesus in 2009/10 campaign, Benfica have done the following:

 

2009 - UEFA Cup 2nd Round
2010 - Europa League Quarter-Final
2011 - Champions League 1st Round/Europa League Semi-final
2012 - Champions League Quarter-Final
2013 - Champions League 1st Round/Europa League Final

 

One thing that we all know about JJ is that he loves headlines and likes being recognized for his success. The further Benfica gets in Europe, the better it is for himself and the club. JJ's biggest accomplishment this season (besides keeping his job) for the club will be winning the league (four years in the making) but personally, I feel his ultimate goal would be to take Benfica to the biggest stage in Europe and that is this year's final in Benfica. If somehow JJ can win both, he will be looked upon as not only a genius but a God amongst the Benfica Nation. At that point JJ would look very attractive outside of Portugal and would not worry so much about his 8 million + 2 year contract at Benfica.

 

 

 

UEFA CL History

 

Benfica's history in Champions League is evident. They have won back - to - back titles in 1961 and 1962 and have been in seven finals primarily in the 60's during the team's "Glory Years," This is the same record that Juventus has (no back to back) and has as many European finals as Barcelona and Liverpool. Benfica has more final appeareances then Inter Milan, Ajax, and Manchester United.

 

 

 

UEFA CL Breakdown

 

For those of you who have always wondered (myself included) how much money can a team make during the UEFA Champions League I have decided to do my research through UEFA's web site and a little help from Wiki.

 

Every team who automatically qualifies for the competition will be awarded €8.6 and this is before they get to kick the ball in the group stages. If a team has to play a qualifier match to enter the competition (This year Arsenal had to play against Fenerbache and Zenit had to face Pacos De Ferreira to qualify) they will receive  €2.1 Million regardless if they win both matches. 

 

There are 6 games during the group stages. Each win during the group stage awards the team  €1 Million, a tie is half and a loss is 0. If a team is successful and wins all 6 games then they advance the group stages with €6 million. At this point if a team has won all of their games they have made  €14.6 million (16.7 if there is a qualifier)

 

During the round of 16 a home and away game is played and whether a team advances or not they will receive €3,500,000 (18.1 or 20.2 at this point)

 

The round of 8 or quarter finals is worth €3,900,000 (22M or 24.1M)

 

The final four or semi finals is worth €4,900,000 (26.9M or 29M)

 

Reaching the UEFA CL final and losing will get your team €6,500,000 (33.4M or 35.5M) but a win will get you  €10,500,000 (43.9M or 46M).

 

Remember these numbers are based on UEFA prize money this not include, ticket sales, team and sponsorship revenue. Also, the unlikelihood of a team reaching the final and not suffering a loss or tie during the group stages is near impossible. It is not uncommon for a team to buy quality players after a successful campaign.

 

In Benfica's case, although some fans feel that concentrating on winning the league every year is far more important then having a successful European campaign, it is also champions league money that will help Benfica pay the bills and sign quality players.

 

According the SL Benfica Transfer Market.uk page Benfica have spent over €31,000,000 in signing players for the 2013/14 season whereas they have made approximately €8,500,000 in departures (mostly Nolito and Roberto) so when you spend more money then you make what do you do?

 

This is why a good UEFA CL run helps covers those costs. Also, unfortunately with this summer's transfer window coming to a close within hours, Benfica to stay in the green financially may have to sell a Gaitan, Garay, Matic or even Salvio. (hopefully they can all stay)

Final Word

 

I have been often criticized for having too much faith in Benfica. I try to remain positive and am a passionate fan. As fans we all want our team's to do well. I celebrate when Benfica is victorious and every so often I will cry during a loss.

 

The league is a priority this year but with the UEFA CL final being held at the Luz, one can't help but dream of the possibility of watching Benfica hoist the trophy at home 52 years later.

 

The reality is every team in this competition has a chance of winning the title and Benfica's journey to the final will be no different then any other team. I am hoping that t he possibility of a final at home will inspire this team by motivating them to play that much harder then any other team in the competition.