There are those moments in our lives which will touch us forever and we will never ever forget for as long as we live. The birth of our children, a wedding day, or just any moment of celebration. For The Benfica Nation, each one of us throughout the world has their own special memory that has forever left a mark. Some remember the back to back Champions League victory of the 60's in which we saw a teenage African boy named Eusebio hoist the trophy. The famous Joao Pinto or Cardozo hat trick against Sporting. For other fans it could of been your first time watching a Benfica game in person at the Luz. Whether you are a new Benfica fan of 6, 16, or 76 years of age, anyone who is a fan and witnessed yesterday's game at The Estádio do Dragão in Porto will forever be touched by this historic result.
Personally, I will always remember this day because while I was watching this game in my hometown of Toronto, Canada I was amongst family out celebrating my parents 50th year wedding anniversary. Tears of joy, happiness, and an over abundance of emotions were a constant throughout the day. I could not believe that not only was I able to celebrate a milestone in my family, but I was at a restaurant celebrating with the people who I loved the most a rare victory from my "Glorious" team. I was like a kid in a candy store and could not ask for a better day.
AGAINST ALL ODDS
Going into this game, Benfica (although first place in the Portuguese League) were in poor spirits. They had just drawn a scoreless match at home against Bayer Leverkussen in their last (meaningless) game in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. An early exit out of all UEFA competition's and a not so convincing first place performance in the league have left fans wondering if this team has what it takes to become repeat champions in the Portuguese League. Benfica has not won the double since 1982/83 and 1983/84 under the ruling of Swede Mastermind Sven-Göran Eriksson.
There were also fans, journalists, critics, who although supported Benfica did not believe that this team could beat the almighty Dragons of the north. Social media was rampant throughout the week as the league appointed ex - FC Porto socio Jorge Sousa to officiate the match up. This had every Benfica fan worried as FC Porto has been known in the past to influence the refs with bribes to achieve a favourable result. Julien Lopetegui is the mastermind behind FC Porto who has brought in such talented players as Brahimi, and Christian Tello. FC Porto's 4-3-3 is no match for Benfica's 4-4-2. Even my Benfica brothers at Benfica Podcast all acknowledged on the pod leading up to the game that FC Porto's squad is far greater then Benfica's. I disagreed stated that Salvio, and Nico Gaitan would smoke any of FC Porto's wingers and that the only tactical formation Julien Lopategui would implement is "Tic Tac Toe not the infamous "Tiki Taka."
I knew I needed luck going into this game. So I brought out my lucky Benfica watch given to me by a man I love and respect just as much as my old man, my old lady's old man JMP. I also wore my lucky custom made "O Glorioso" Nike shoes (I know, some poor kids in Indonesia were exploited in making these shoes, but these kicks are ridiculous) that were given to me by my brother as a token for his appreciation for being the best man at his wedding a few years back. "With great power comes great responsibility" and I knew these lucky charms wouldn't work everytime but now I begin to imagine what the outcome of the game would be had I not had these lucky charms. I did my part the rest was all up to my team.
THE GAME
As the players came onto the pitch and I saw such players as Jardel, Samaris, and Lima all start for Benfica I was not as confident as I was earlier that day when I put on my lucky shoes and watch. Regardless, I knew a tie was not out of the question and unlike previous years Benfica went into this game away at Porto with a 3 point advantage. The pressure this time around was directed at FC Porto and not SL Benfica.
The first 30 minutes were not easy to watch as in any FC Porto vs Benfica "Classico." Leading League goal scorer Jackson Martinez set up Alex Sandro who was shut down by a tremendous save from Julio Cesar. This would be one of his very few saves throughout the match. It was no doubt at that very moment I felt that if Benfica were going to lose the game it would not be from our confident goal keeping abilities of Julio Cesar but of a mistake made at the defensive line (Jardel), or a favourable call from what we all thought was a corrupt referee.
In the 35" Maxi had a throw in which landed in front of Lima in which he was able to land passed Porto's GK Fabiano and into the back of the net it was now 1-0 and we were all in disbelief that Lima was able to score the opening goal in Benfica's most important game of the 2014/15 season. Lima a player who has been criticised this season for being out of form, and reluctant to score goals due to the fact that he no longer had such talents as Cardozo and Rodrigo helping him score goals. This would not be Benfica's only "fluke" goal as some of the FC Porto fans made comments at a nearby table, in the 55" Tallisca was stopped by Fabiano and it was Lima who yet again was able to counter and capitalize on the lose ball in front of the net making it 2-0 at the Dragão for Benfica? We could not believe what we were seeing. Aside from a few cup games in recent history Benfica have only been victorious at the Dragão once in almost an entire decade in league completion. It was Nuno Gomes who also netted a brace at the Dragão on matchday 6 October 15, 2005 (another great Benfica memory)
FC Porto were not lucky this past weekend and although they have tremendous talent, they were simply unable to come back against a dominant Benfica. How were Benfica dominant you may ask? Clearly coach Jorge Jesus did his homework and was able to cover up any lose holes in the midfield. Benfica attacked and unlike previous years were able to creat chances. Tallisca although did not score, his shot on net resulted in Lima getting the rebound goal. Enzo continues to show that he is a very important part of Benfica's midfield alongside Samaris who upon his arrival lacked confidence but is now starting to show that he was worth the 10M transfer fee that Benfica acquired him for.
Benfica may not have dominated in possession as FC Porto ended the game with 59% ball possession and had more shots on target (4 vs 1) Benfica capitalize when it counted creating the result that they did and for once in a very long time they were well prepared and not afraid of losing points. It was FC Porto's chance to redeem themselves and prove that they are as great as everyone gives them credit for. Even after the game FC Porto coach is still convincing himself and everyone else that they will still win the 2014/15 Portuguese League. It is still early to celebrate and with 21 league matches to go anything is still possible.
GOING FORWARD
Losing to Benfica now gives Benfica an advantage over FC Porto not just with point advantages but with mindset. This was a huge burden lifted off of Benfica' shoulders. Benfica go into 2015 confident with a 6 point lead but may still struggle against the likes of SC Braga, and Guimaraes who have been in excellent form. With no UEFA to worry about, Benfica need to be well prepared against every opponent to reclaim "the double" a memory in which the fans wish to experience over 30 years later.
There were also fans, journalists, critics, who although supported Benfica did not believe that this team could beat the almighty Dragons of the north. Social media was rampant throughout the week as the league appointed ex - FC Porto socio Jorge Sousa to officiate the match up. This had every Benfica fan worried as FC Porto has been known in the past to influence the refs with bribes to achieve a favourable result. Julien Lopetegui is the mastermind behind FC Porto who has brought in such talented players as Brahimi, and Christian Tello. FC Porto's 4-3-3 is no match for Benfica's 4-4-2. Even my Benfica brothers at Benfica Podcast all acknowledged on the pod leading up to the game that FC Porto's squad is far greater then Benfica's. I disagreed stated that Salvio, and Nico Gaitan would smoke any of FC Porto's wingers and that the only tactical formation Julien Lopategui would implement is "Tic Tac Toe not the infamous "Tiki Taka."
I knew I needed luck going into this game. So I brought out my lucky Benfica watch given to me by a man I love and respect just as much as my old man, my old lady's old man JMP. I also wore my lucky custom made "O Glorioso" Nike shoes (I know, some poor kids in Indonesia were exploited in making these shoes, but these kicks are ridiculous) that were given to me by my brother as a token for his appreciation for being the best man at his wedding a few years back. "With great power comes great responsibility" and I knew these lucky charms wouldn't work everytime but now I begin to imagine what the outcome of the game would be had I not had these lucky charms. I did my part the rest was all up to my team.
THE GAME
As the players came onto the pitch and I saw such players as Jardel, Samaris, and Lima all start for Benfica I was not as confident as I was earlier that day when I put on my lucky shoes and watch. Regardless, I knew a tie was not out of the question and unlike previous years Benfica went into this game away at Porto with a 3 point advantage. The pressure this time around was directed at FC Porto and not SL Benfica.
The first 30 minutes were not easy to watch as in any FC Porto vs Benfica "Classico." Leading League goal scorer Jackson Martinez set up Alex Sandro who was shut down by a tremendous save from Julio Cesar. This would be one of his very few saves throughout the match. It was no doubt at that very moment I felt that if Benfica were going to lose the game it would not be from our confident goal keeping abilities of Julio Cesar but of a mistake made at the defensive line (Jardel), or a favourable call from what we all thought was a corrupt referee.
In the 35" Maxi had a throw in which landed in front of Lima in which he was able to land passed Porto's GK Fabiano and into the back of the net it was now 1-0 and we were all in disbelief that Lima was able to score the opening goal in Benfica's most important game of the 2014/15 season. Lima a player who has been criticised this season for being out of form, and reluctant to score goals due to the fact that he no longer had such talents as Cardozo and Rodrigo helping him score goals. This would not be Benfica's only "fluke" goal as some of the FC Porto fans made comments at a nearby table, in the 55" Tallisca was stopped by Fabiano and it was Lima who yet again was able to counter and capitalize on the lose ball in front of the net making it 2-0 at the Dragão for Benfica? We could not believe what we were seeing. Aside from a few cup games in recent history Benfica have only been victorious at the Dragão once in almost an entire decade in league completion. It was Nuno Gomes who also netted a brace at the Dragão on matchday 6 October 15, 2005 (another great Benfica memory)
FC Porto were not lucky this past weekend and although they have tremendous talent, they were simply unable to come back against a dominant Benfica. How were Benfica dominant you may ask? Clearly coach Jorge Jesus did his homework and was able to cover up any lose holes in the midfield. Benfica attacked and unlike previous years were able to creat chances. Tallisca although did not score, his shot on net resulted in Lima getting the rebound goal. Enzo continues to show that he is a very important part of Benfica's midfield alongside Samaris who upon his arrival lacked confidence but is now starting to show that he was worth the 10M transfer fee that Benfica acquired him for.
Benfica may not have dominated in possession as FC Porto ended the game with 59% ball possession and had more shots on target (4 vs 1) Benfica capitalize when it counted creating the result that they did and for once in a very long time they were well prepared and not afraid of losing points. It was FC Porto's chance to redeem themselves and prove that they are as great as everyone gives them credit for. Even after the game FC Porto coach is still convincing himself and everyone else that they will still win the 2014/15 Portuguese League. It is still early to celebrate and with 21 league matches to go anything is still possible.
GOING FORWARD
Losing to Benfica now gives Benfica an advantage over FC Porto not just with point advantages but with mindset. This was a huge burden lifted off of Benfica' shoulders. Benfica go into 2015 confident with a 6 point lead but may still struggle against the likes of SC Braga, and Guimaraes who have been in excellent form. With no UEFA to worry about, Benfica need to be well prepared against every opponent to reclaim "the double" a memory in which the fans wish to experience over 30 years later.
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