Going into 2014 Benfica were in third place with a 10-3-1 record. Although Benfica lost their first game of the season to Maritimo and lost important points as they drew to Sporting CP, Belenenses, and Arouca the season was not over yet. The team began to show a lot of promise as Jorge Jesus and company began to regain their confidence. Players like Rodrigo, Markovic, Ruben Amorim, Silvio became key players on the pitch. Also with Artur getting injured during match day 13 against Olhanese the emergence of Slovenian goaltender Jans Oblak would occur as he would only allow 3 goals in 16 league games.
On January 5, 2014 Benfica lost their king Eusébio at age 71. This tragic loss would continue to unite Benfica as they hosted FC Porto in what would go down as one of the most memorable victories against the Dragons ever. All Benfica players had the name Eusébio on their backs and were victorious 2-0 in which would become the first of three successful victories over the Dragons in 2014. This was the last game in which we would see Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matić wear a Benfica jersey. He was transferred to Chelsea worth approximately €25 million. In a later interview conducted by Benfica President LFV, he admitted that he convinced Matić to remain at the club.
Former Benfica Captain Mario Coluna also left the Benfica family as he passed away on February 25, 2014 joining his former team mate Eusébio. These events continued to motivate the team even more as they began what would eventually become a 27 home game undefeated winning streak at home.
Although Benfica were hosting the 2014 UEFA Champions League Finals, they exited the competition early as they were unable to advance through their group. Benfica finished the group with 10 points tied with Olimpiakos (loss on head to head) Anderlecht finished with 1 point and PSG dominated the group with 13 points. As one door closed another one soon opened as they entered the UEFA Europa League they began eliminating the likes of PAOK, Tottenham, AZ Alkmaar, and the in the semi-finals the hosts Juventus. Benfica advanced once again to the UEFA Europa League Finals for their second consecutive final losing in penalty kicks in a controversial game to Sevilla. The Bella Gutman curse of 1962 continues as this marked Benfica's eigth consecutive loss in a UEFA final.
2014 seemed a lot better then 2013 as history would be made. Benfica is now the only team to win all three titles in Portugal in one season the last time. Benfica won a double title "Doubradinho" in the same year was 1986/87 when they won the Portuguese Cup and the League.
Throughout the 2013/14 season Benfica played a total of 57 games in all competitions. They managed to not only be the top team in Portugal but became finalists in the UEFA Europa League and were ranked the 5th best team in the UEFA coefficient which is the highest ranking that any Portuguese team has ever recieved. Although the team struggled with injuries, red cards, and accumulative yellow cards, their performance throughout the tournament was a great one (especially away to Juventus) but in the end were more unlucky then unsuccessful losing to Sevilla in PK. Teams in Italy, France, England, Germany and throughout Europe only wished to be in Benfica's place reaching a UEFA final in 2014.
Some would argue that this team has not changed much from last season. Although their style of play has not changed (JJ still fields a 2 man midfield, occasional 3) I disagree with that statement in retrospective Benfica has a much greater depth then they did in previous years and Benfica has players that can play multiple types of positions. For example;
Ruben Amorim returned to Benfica after a one season loan absence away at SC Braga. Amorim can play as a midfielder, a fullback or on the wing in the midfield he can play as much defensive as he can be in a attacking role. He was a great alternative to Fejsa who missed most of the second half of the season due to injuries
Silvio and Siqueira are quality fullbacks in which Benfica have not seen since Fabio Coentrao departed almost 4 years ago. hopefully Benfica will sign the loaner FB for a permanent stay going into 2014/15
Jans Oblak has been one of many success stories of the season for Benfica. It is my personal opinion that Oblak is definitely Benfica's most valuable player this season he played 26 games in all competitions and has only allowed 6 goals, (3 in league, 3 in UEFA) since his start debut against SC Olhanese back on December 21. His only loss of a season was to PK in the UEFA Europa Final.
Serbians Marković, Sulejmani, Fejsa and Djuricić were all new additions to the team this season. They had a lot to offer but unfortunately Fejsa and Sulejmani's playing time was cut short as there was often injuries. Fejsa played 27 games and Sulejmani played 26 games (3 goals).
There are great things coming for Djuricić. Some are of the personal belief (myself included) that he was not given enough minutes on the pitch to demonstrate his worth. Whether or not JJ likes him or not, his style of play right now is not compatible with JJ's plans. (remember JJ sees him as a 9.5 but can very well be a 10) If Gaitan leaves Benfica this summer I believe Djuricic will emerge into the 2014/15 Benfica squad and just like his team mate Lazar Marković will turn plenty of heads throughout Europe.
Rodrigo is another player who emerged this year unfortunately his emergence was due to the injury sustained by Oscar Cardozo who missed most of the season. Rodrigo was given the green flag from JJ and became Benfica's second top goal scorer of the season with 18 goals in 43 Benfica matches. Shortly after Matić exit for a near €30M Benfica were able to sell the player rights of Rodrigo and André Gomes for €45M these players most likely will not return next season for Benfica
Our captain Luisão had his best season ever in which he not only caped 49 games and scored 6 goals but he was able to end the season by only receiving 3 yellow cards. For a CB this is unheard of. At 33 his form continues to grow and it looks like there is no sign of slowing down as Luisão has mentioned that he will most likely end his career at the Luz.
U19/ B Team
The under 19 team was very successful in the first ever becoming finalists in the first ever UEFA YOUTH LEAGUE competition. Benfica managed to go through the whole competition undefeated until they lost 3-0 in the finals to Barcelona in the next few years we will definitely see a great emergence of Benfica youth talent
The Benfica B team was also a lot of talk this year although they finished 5th and allowed in almost as many goals as they scored many goals such players as Ivan Cavaleiro, Bernard Silva, Funes Mori, João Cançelo and a few others will definitely emerge to becoming great talents in the near future
Benfica players continue to dominate the Portugal squads. Out of all of the teams that make up Portugal, Benfica is the most represented team for "As Quinas". In this summer's Portugal squad for Brazil, Paulo Bento initial called up 4 Benfica players out of his original 30 man squad. Both André Almeida and Ruben Amorim made the 23 man squad.
For Portugal's Under 21 team that will be in the 2015 UEFA European Championship 4 players have been called up:
Ivan Cavaleiro
Bernardo Silva
Portugal under 19 and 20 teams have 3 Benfica players also but the most impressive of the squads is the Portugal under 17 squad which during the month of May had 11 out of 18 players representing Benfica during Portugal matches against Scotland, Switzerland, and Germany.
Although in the past Sporting CP were the leaders of producing youth talent in Portugal, going into the future that theory has now died as Sporting may still develop youth in Portugal but not at the rate in which Benfica is going through at the Seixal.
The Year of JJ
We often criticized JJ's two man midfield and wanted him to play a three man midfield (although he tried a few games) the two men midfield and JJ stubbornness prevailed as we want three competitions this year. At this point in time unless serious contract comes his way, JJ will remain a the Luz until his contract expires next season.
We all hated on JJ and were frustrated in the way he ran the club. There were times during the season in which he did not have the players respect. He did always have the respect and support of Benfica President LFV who stuck by JJ through all of the mess.
I never thought I would say this (and I know I'm not alone) but if JJ can continue to bring success at Benfica I hope JJ remains our coach for a very long time. JJ is not only considered to be one of Benfica's most succesful coaches of all time but is regarded as the 11th highest paid coach in Europe according to daily.co.uk's list published in December 2013
For JJ to leave Benfica it would not make sense unless it's for money where would he go? he would not be idolized as much as he is in Portugal as the coach of the most popular team in Portugal. Unless it is to a really big team (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich who all have coaches) why leave the best team in Portugal to coach a mid-table team outside of Portugal?
The Law of The Market
Recently on BenficaTV guest host Pedro Guerra mentioned that it goes without question that Benfica will have to sell a few of their players during the up and coming summer transfer window. As often mentioned for Benfica or better yet any of the big teams in Portugal to remain successful financially they must do the following:
1) Secure a spot in UEFA Champions League
2) Having a good run or even reaching any of the UEFA Finals will generate more revenue and exposure to the club
3) Winning any of the domestic cups or league will give the team added bonus from their sponsors or investors
4) They must sell at least 2 big players (depending on what kind of money is received)
Although Benfica have won all of the possible titles in Portugal, after the season that they just finished (also in a World Cup Year) Benfica's talent will be raided. Here are some examples of revenue that Benfica will or are expecting to receive.
- 25 Million Matic
- 45 Milion Rodrigo and Gomes player rights
- 4.5 Million in UEFA Europa League Competition
- 4 Million for hosting the UEFA Champions League Final
- 12.1 Million for participating in UEFA Champions League
(8.6 just for getting there, 3 wins = 3M, 1 draw = halfM)
More then likely Eziquiel Garay and Nico Gaitan will be sold this summer. Garay has been rumored to go everywhere from Liverpool to Manchester United to Valencia but it now looks like he may join AVB in Russia at Zenit for a rumored 20+ million euros transfer fee. If this transfer is true then shame on all of the big clubs within Europe who are in search of a centre back. As good as David Luiz is for him to leave Chelsea and join PSG for a whopping 50 Million makes no sense. Garay is a world class centre back in which any team would be lucky to have and being paired with Luisão makes Benfica for a deadly centre back combo,
Nico Gaitan is another target who has also been rumored to go to the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and most recently Inter Milan for €25 million
Player Awards
Defensive Player - Eziquiel Garay/ Luisão
Offensive Player - Lima
Most Improved - Nico Gaitan
Revelation - Ruben Amorim
MVP - Jans Oblak
Flop - Ola John
Noteable Mentions - Rodrigo, Ivan Cavaleiro, Enzo Perez, Lazar Markovic, Maxi Pereira, Andre Gomes, Bernardo Silva, Funes Mori, Siqueira, Silvio,
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