Jesus Saves!

Like him or hate him Jorge Jesus has done what many former coaches were unable to accomplish at the helm, and that is leave an everlasting mark at the club. JJs longevity speaks for itself:

Jorge Jesus is Benfica's 62nd coach and arrived at the Luz on June 17, 2013 with Almost 4 seasons done. (Most coaches at Benfica lasted an average of 2 seasons)

He is the fifth longest running coach in Benfica's history. (Cosme Damião is the longest running coach almost 18 years in charge 1908-1926.) 

According to Brazilian sports business consulting firm Pluri Consultoria Jorge Jesus came is the 15th out of 30 best paid football managers in the world. 

According to Talking To Da Doll's Episode 56 Podcast 3.20/13, these numbers are proof that he is one of Benfica's most successful managers.

It has been 40 years since Benfica has had this many points in the League while at the 23rd round of the Liga. (The League's quality is improving and competition is much more fierce with the rise of teams like; Pacos De Ferreira, Rio Ave, Braga or as I like to call it The "A3" teams)

JJ has beaten the record of most unbeaten games (32) which was a 53 year old record

After recent win against Guimaraes, JJ is Benfica's third most successful coach in history with most wins.

JJ has the most wins in Europe more then any other Benfica coach in Benfica's history. 

It is also important to mention that JJ was the same guy who transformed a mid table team such as Braga and helped turn them around into a success by being Portugal's new "Grande Tres" (sorry Sporting but it's true! I don't see Braga lasting in the top 3 for long)

Although he has often put his foot in his mouth during interviews and press conferences, he has remained calm and is more conservative this season. Whether it is the influence of LFV Putting a muzzle on JJ, or a possible new contract at the end of the season, JJ seems calm and confident in leading Benfica to success this year. Here is JJ's infamous speech this year at the Faculdade Humana na Integra de Motorcidade. 

The question most Benfica supporters want to know is whether or not JJ will return at the helm

If Benfica continue their 4 point lead against Porto then yes? If we lose the league but win the Taça yes? If we lose the league and Taça then no. However, if we lose all competition in Portugal but somehow win the UEFA Europa League then not only yes but he will receive offers outside if Portugal. If Benfica repeat last year's accomplishments of having a 5 point lead over Porto and then blowing it then there is no question that JJ will be shown the door.

The reality is that the following last few games of the season will be crucial. Benfica's fate are in their own hands. Although Injuries are never planned but can occur at any moment, Benfica has a deep enough squad to carry on to victory. This is something that our neighbour's from the north lack and that is depth.

JJ being compared to the likes of Alex Ferguson and is considered a genius at Benfica. His adaptations were and are often criticised but it's as if he thinks on a different page then any other Benfica critic monitoring this team. For example;  He took a player like Melgarejo who used to play as a forward for Pacos De Ferreira (10 goals last season) and decided that instead of keeping him on the bench as a backup forward to Lima or Cardozo he decided to make him Benfica's starting Left-back. We all criticised his moves but it worked out. Melgarejo took a while to adapt and he is still not a top left-back but has filled int he role quite well. I do strongly feel that Luisinho deserves more minutes but we don't know how he will do against a Porto or a strong Europa league competitor. Enzo was another player that JJ adapted from being a winger to strong mid-fielder being lethal beside Matic. 

Although JJ's numbers are excellent he still has a lot of work to do to overcome the pessimistic Portuguese soccer critics. Another contract extension is not out of the question considering his efforts. What is really good about JJ is he is tough and stubborn and although he does not always make sense, he always looks at the big picture and does things for a reason. This is why the likes of Mourinho, and Ferguson are successful at club level.

When Benfica wins some silverware this year perhaps he can leave Benfica for a little while and spend some time mentoring Paulo Bento in becoming a better coach for Portugal. Maybe Portugal lacks more Benfica players? (Nationalize Lima for Christ's sake!) or maybe they just lack a creative genius?

UEFA Europa League? Liga Zon Sagres? Perhaps Both?

 

 

On Thursday March 14, 2013 Benfica defeated Bordeaux 3-2 (4-2 agg.) in France to advance to the quarter-final stages of the UEFA Europa League. Benfica's opponent will be announced Friday March 15, 2013

 

BIG QUESTION: Who will be Benfica's next opponent?

 

BIG ANSWER: Does it really matter?

 

Let's be honest, when Benfica was knocked out of the group stages of the UEFA Champions League before the start of 2013 there was almost a sense of relief amongst Benfica fans. Benfica no longer worrying about European competition was as if a huge burdon had been lifted off their shoulders. (or if you are an eagle then it would be your wings... you see what I did there?) But then you have to play in this pointless UEFA Europa League which takes focus on the most important prize to Benfica fans this season and that is winning the Liga Zon Sagres.

 

A day prior to Benfica winning in Bordeaux, fellow Portuguese rivals FC Porto were knocked out of the Round-Of-16 stages of the UEFA Champions League by Malaga. Had FC Porto advanced to the Quarter-Finals, they would take home a lot of money. In fact, If FC Porto somehow managed to go all of the way and win the 2013 UEFA Champions League they would of taken home between 40-45 Million Euro's (This figure does not include investors, current, and future sponsorship bonuses) That is a lot of lucrative money which can go towards many important team necessities. For example:

 

- New Coach

- Stadium

- Training Facilities

- Youth Teams

- New Attractive Players and Contracts etc.

 

Now let`s look at Benfica. According to the UEFA Europa League money prize:

If Benfica can go ahead and win the 2013 UEFA Europa League, they can walk away with approximately €7,000,000 and even if they go to the final and lose they would still walk away with  €4,500,000.

 

Is it worth the effort to risk losing the Liga Zon Sagres for a third straight year to FC Porto just so at the end of this season we can say `Well, even though you won the League, we went further in UEFA then you so HA? Obviously as a fan and as a socio, I want this team to win the League but I also really believe in my heart that Benfica are just as good as any other team left in the UEFA Europa League. Benfica have never won this competition but have come close a few times.

 

2013 UEFA Europa League Quarter- Finals

 

- Tottenham Hotspur FC

- SL Benfica

- S.S. Lazio

- Chelsea FC

- Newcastle United FC

- FC Basel 1893

- FC Rubin Kazan

- Fenerbahçe SK

This season has been one of Benfica's toughest seasons. They have been tied for first place with Porto from the beginning of the season until recently when Benfica took a 2 point lead after defeating Beira Mar and Porto lost points as they tied Sporting. FC Porto has been eliminated of European competition and will focus on regaining the Liga zon Sagres.

 

Benfica are eligible not only to win the league but are still eligible to win the Taça De Portugal (a title that they have not win since 2003/04) and have just a good chance to not only advance in the Europa League but win it for the first time. That is 3 possible titles in one of the most exciting seasons that I have ever seen in Portuguese soccer.

 

Keys To Success

 

For Benfica, it`s about believing in themselves.They must treat every game from now until the end of the season as an important one. They cannot under estimate any team no matter what position they are in the standings. (We almost lost to Beira- Mar, the worse team in the Liga Zon Sagres) Every team must be taken seriously.

 

JJ must continuously rotate the squad. There was a lot of squad rotation during the Bordeaux games however, Nemanja Matic needs to be rested as he continues to be Benfica`s most valuable and crucial player this season. He cannot get injured at this point in the season.


The Final Word

 

We are less then 2 months away from the end of the season. We (The Benfiquistas) need to continue to support our team. In my heart I would like to believe that we will win all 3 remaining competitions. 2 out of 3 competitions ain`t bad. If it is only 1 then I hope it`s a League victory over Porto. Let`s face it, FC Porto can`t win all of the time. Victories and trophies can be bought sometimes but not all of the time.

Best Benfica Goalie's Ever

After witnessing a great performance in the Europa League against Bayer Leverkusen (3-1 SLB aggregate) Benfica's "King Artur" had one of the best performances for Benfica. It got me thinking about how many great goal keepers have come and gone throughout Benfica over the years.I have decided to compose a list of whom I feel are the greatest goalie's in the history of Benfica. Again, this is a personal observation, and opinion of one of 14 + million fans.  

Michel Preud' Homme

 

 

 

                                                                          The Belgian goal keeper gets the nod as Benfica's most popular goalie. Preud' Homme became the first ever "foreign" goalie to join Benfica. Preud' Homme was given the name "Saint Michel" for his outstanding saves throughout games. After an impessive performance with the Belgium National Team during the 1994 World Cup in the USA during 1994, he was awarded UEFA's Goalkeeper Of The Year, and won the Yashin Award. Although he never won a UEFA Champions League with Benfica, Preud' Homme helped Benfica win a successful Taça de Portugal during the 1995-96 season defeating Sporting 3-1. Many Benfiquistas will remember this moment as a bright one during the 90's as a huge success during a time in which Benfica was going through it's "Dark Days"of a financial crisis. 

 

 In August 1999, at age 40 Michel Preud' Homme played his final career game with Benfica in a friendly against Bayern Munich. He played 199 games with Benfica allowing 184 goals.

Manuel Bento

 

 

 

In terms of longevity and longest career as a Benfica goalkeeper Manuel Bento "O Homem Borracha" ("The Rubber Man")wins this title for spending 20 seasons (1972-1992) at Benfica. Bento arrived at Benfica in 1972 from FC Barreirense as a replacement for Jose Henrique. Throughout his career, many critics argue that Bento was not only one of the best goalkeepers for Benfica but also for Portugal. In a documentary that aired in August 2011 on Benfica TV called "Bento O Guardião do Tempo" his former team mate Rui Águas mentioned how Bento's skill surpassed the likes of Vitor Baia. In 1977 Bento was named Portuguese Footballer Of The Year.

 

Statistics show that during his 1984-85 season Bento played a total of 30 games that season for Benfica, allowing 28 goals. This was considered his worst season in his career. However, during the Euro 1984  in France, Bento had a sensational performance against France during the semi - finals match. Although Portugal lost 3-2 to the host nation France, Bento was exceptional and was considered France's hardest opponent during the competition. During the 1986 World Cup campaign, Bento captained Portugal and got injured during the competition and was replaced by Sporting goalie Vitor Damas. This was Bento's last competition representing Portugal before his retirement in 1992.

Costa Pereira

Benfica's most successful decade was during the 1960's. Every Benfica fan who is alive today remembers Costa Pereira as Benfica's best goaltender of that era. During that era Benfica won eight Portuguese Championships (1960, '61, '63, '64, '65, '67, '68, and '69), three Portuguese Cups (1961, '64, and '69), and two European Champions Cup (1961 and '62). Although Benfica won two back to back European UEFA championships , they also had 5 UEFA European finals during the 0's in which Pereira was their goalie. (except for the 68' final against Manchester United)

 

Pereira played 13 seasons for Benfica (1954-67) He had 359 appearances and allowed 354 goals during his career. He started 22 times for the National Team but was unable to play for the famous 1966 squad due to poor form.

 

 

 

 José Moreira

 

 Moreira spent over 12 years playing at Benfica. Moreira was one of Benfica's most loyal goalkeepers. At age 17, Moreira was called up from the Benfica B team to the A team a back-up for Robert Enke. On a game in which Benfica was playing against Guimaraes, Enke suffered an injury in the 24th minute in which Moreira stepped up and managed to draw 0-0 in his debut performance. In 2002 Enke left for Barcelona and Moreira became the top goalie for Benfica. During the 2003-04 season, Benfica won the Portuguese Cup defeating a José

Mourinho coached FC Porto

 

 In 2004 Moreira lost the top spot at Benfica to the newly arrived Quim. It was that season in which Benfica won the Portuguese League, the first time in 11 years. The following season Moreira suffered an almost career ending knee - injury putting him out for almost one year. With the arrival of such goalies as Moretto, Hans Jorg Butt, and Julio Cesar in 2009, Moreira became further away from any sort of top spot at Benfica and resorted to more of a third place goalie.

 

In 2010 Jorge Jesus arrived at the helm and shortly after his arrival Roberto was named Benfica's top goalie. This was yet another year of Moreira being put in the back burner. Finally, in 2011 out of frustration (and an undisclosed fee) Moreira moved on and left Benfica to join newly promoted EPL team Swansea City (Nuno Gomes joined Blackburn that same year who also played 12 years on and off for Benfica) He played one game and stayed one season and joined Cyprus side Omonia in 2013.

 

On an International level Moreira contributed to many successful tournaments for Portugal. He represented the U-17, U-18, and U-21 squads. Although he did not start for Portugal during the 2004 European Championships, he was one of the three goalie's called up to competition. Finally in August 2009 Moreira started for Portugal defeating Liechtenstein 3-0.

 

Now 31 Moreira (uninjured) has a possibility of making a comeback at least to the national side. This probably will only happen if he either returns to Portugal or gets more minutes elsewhere. Currently in Omonha, Cyprus he has played 2 games this season.

Moreira would benefit a smaller team in Portugal then a big one. He spent so many years on Benfica that even with a return to the Luz, I could not see him getting much more time then Paulo Lopes.

If Sporting lost Patricio or if Beto left Braga and he was available on the cheap perhaps but Moreira would shine on a Rio Ave, Vitoria Setubal, Guimaraes, or Madeira side if he can get his way back to Portugal somehow.

The reality is injury played a big part in Moreira's lack of minutes at Benfica. It also didn't help that there was a frequent change of coaches during the 2000's each coach implememting their own system. Heynckes,Mourinho, Toni, Fereira, Chalana, Camacho, Trapatoni, Koeman, Santos, Camacho, Chalana, Flores, and Jesus.

Moreira remained loyal to the club that created him but by remaining so loyal for so long also was detrimental to his career. Had Moreira not been injured and had a consistent starting role at the club throughout the years, who knows where he may of end up as? Bigger then Bento? Portugal's main man after Baia? Maybe Portugal could of won the Euro in 04? We can only ponder.
 

QUIM

 

Joaquim Manuel Sampaio da Silva (otherwise known as Quim) has been playing pro for over 20 years. Although near the end of his career, Quim's time at Benfica is recognized as the prime of his career. Just like some of the other goalie's mentioned, Quim managed to win a few trophies during his six stint at Benfica ( 2004-2010). This inluded the following:

 

2 Portuguese League Titles (2004/05 & 2009/10)

Portuguese Supercup (2005)

2 Portuguese League Cup (2008/09 & 2009/10)
Eusebio Cup winner 2009
2004/05 Runner Up Portuguese Cup (2-1 Loss to Vitória de Setúbal )

While at Benfica, Quim caped 144 games (44 of those games were in European competition) His presence on the pitch was well known. Quim had a very commanding presence on the pitch. It was common for him to make his voice heard during games as he would often call on to fellow team mates on defense to move up or to stand guard. As a goalie he was very commanding which displayed strong leadership qualities.(Best Of Video)

Quim also represented Portugal as a back up goalie to Ricardo during the 2004 UEFA European Championships. Some critics feel that looking back perhaps he may of been a better suited first choice over Ricardo. In 2010, Quim started off the World Cup qualifying campaign as Portugal's starting goalie. he would eventually lose this spot to Braga's Eduardo.