Can SL Benfica Keep Kostas Mitroglou?

On August 6, 2015, Greek International Kostas Mitroglou joined Benfica for a season long loan spell from Fulham. The 28 year old Mitroglou was rated a "bust" after joining Fulham on January  31, 2014 from Olimpiacos. According to EPL pundits Mitroglou was not only Fulham's biggest transfer in the club's history (approximately £12 million) but has been considered one of the biggest "flops" ever in English Premier League history. 

Mitroglou went through his hardships playing in the most competitive league in the world. It is a lot of pressure for one individual to save a team from English Premier League relegation. Mitroglou suffered an injury upon arrival at Fulham and was out for two months. When healthy, Mitroglou only played in three Fulham matches and after being relegated at the end of the 2013/14 season, 

Mitroglou returned to Greece joining Olimpiacos for the 2014/15 season where he proved that he was no "bust" scoring 16 goals in 24 matches becoming the second best goal scorer in the Greek Super-league and more importantly contributing to Olimpiacos' fifth consecutive league title. 

"He needs good players around him, and when he was at Olympiacos he had good players around him and he scored goals in the league and in the Champions League, which proved how good he was" - Roy Carroll, Former Olimpacos Goalkeeper.

Carroll makes a good point which is why Mitroglou has enjoyed quite the successful season at Benfica. As he how is now referred to as "Mitrogolo", Mitroglou has scored 16 goals in 25 league matches making him Benfica's second best goal scorer this season behind Jonas. Mitroglou has also scored 2 goals in the Champions League and scored against Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese Cup. He is a fan favorite at the Luz and has claimed the hearts of Benfica fans young and old showing his love and hard work while wearing the Eagle on his chest. 

Mitroglou's loan at Benfica is quite comparable to the loan of Fabrizio Miccoli at Benfica during 2005-2007 where he was not only cherished by the fans but had a great work rate at the club netting 14 goals in 39 appearances. Sadly, Miccoli did not sign with Benfica (joined Palermo) and at this moment there is no word as to whether or not Mitroglou will permanently join Benfica in the future. 

Mitroglou more then likely will finish this season at Benfica with approximately 20 goals(maybe more) in the Liga Nos. In the unlikely event that Benfica do not purchase him from Fulham which one of these Benfica forwards will be able to reach or surpass Mitroglou's goals during the 2016/17 season:

Raúl Alonso Jiménez (2 goals in 22 Liga matches)

Luka Jović ( 0 goals, 3 Liga matches including B Team)

Nélson Oliveira (9 goals in 28 matches at Nottingham Forrest)

Jonathan Rodríguez (0 goals in 12 matches at Deportivo)

Victor Andrade (1goal in 20 matches for Benfica, Benfica B, and Guimaraes)

Francisco Vera (1 goal in 16 matches for Benfica B)

Bilal Ould-Chikh (0 goals, 12 matches for Benfica B)

Ivan Šaponjić (4 goals  12 matches for Benfica B)

Nuno Santos (2 goals 6 matches for Benfica B)

Euciodálcio Gomes (0 goals, 10 matches at Benfica B)

Oliver Šarkić (3 goals in 24 matches at Benfica B)

Sancidino Silva (5 goals in 30 matches at Benfica B)

Diogo Gonçalves (4 goals in 27 matches at Benfica B)

Although Benfica have had a financially successful year, to purchase an international forward like Mitroglou for an estimated £8-12 million seems fiscally irresponsible. Based on the data above, other then Jonas, and Mitroglou Benfica don't have a dominate goal scorer. There are many goals which are created from our strong mid of Sanches, Pizzi, Gaitan, Samaris and others. In the unlikelihood that Jonas and Mitroglou leave at the end of the season, Benfica will have to spend top dollar to find  their replacements. Going into next season based on the numbers above. Benfica need to keep Mitroglou. It is true that Benfica do not have the deep pockets of Manchester City, PSG, Barcelona and many others but acquiring a striker of Mitroglou's price tag is realistic then for Benfica to purchase a big named player for £30-£40-£50 million.

Benfica recently acquired the rights of Pizzi for approximately £12 million from Atlético Madrid. He is now considered Benfica's biggest signing in history. Benfica are also currently apart of a lucrative deal with NOS which will be worth £400 million over a ten year period. Also, Benfica have not only been successful in their domestic league but have their best UEFA Champions League campaign in five years. If eliminated during the Quarter - Finals, Benfica will take home anywhere from £28 - £30 million from their successful UEFA Champions League campaign. 

To allow a player of Mitroglou's quality to leave Benfica due to lack of funds seems unbelievable considering Benfica's financial success this season. It would be a missed opportunity as Mitrogolo has a lot to offer for Benfica at 28 years old. 

Бенфика против Зенит раунда 16 УЕФА Preview

Benfica will travel to Russia on Wednesday to face Zenit St. Petersburg  in the second leg in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Although, Benfica currently are leading on 1-0 aggregate, competing against Zenit has not been easy for Benfica. During the 2011/12 Champions League Quarter Finals stages, Benfica lost 3-2. During the 2014/15 Group Stages of the Champions League Benfica travelled to Russia and lost 1-0. Benfica have also failed to gain victories in Russia against such teams as; CSKA Moscow (2005 UEFA Cup) and Spartak Moscow (2012/13 UEFA Champions League)

Benfica who sits in first place in the Portuguese Liga NOS faces Zenit St. Petersburg who sits fifth place in the Russian Premier League. A win or draw will get Benfica onto the Quarter - Finals of the UEFA Champions League. Zenit playing at home will definitely have an advantage over the Eagles. Zenit playing in cold winter temperatures is something in which Benfica may not be accustom to. Coach Andre Villas Boas, has had several victories in the past over Benfica. For the most part, a majority of the Zenit players are either former Benfica players or have played against Benfica in the Portuguese League. 

Another disadvantage going into Russia is Benfica's injury list and absentee's. Julio Cesar, Jardel and Lisandro Lopez are key players in the Benfica starting 11 missing in action and for Benfica  to advance onto the Quarter - Finals will be hard considering that they are relying on such inexperienced players as;  Ederson, Grimaldo and Ruben Dias to get them there. 

Benfica are going into Russia with momentum and confidence especially after taking first place in the Portuguese Liga by defeating Lisbon rivals Sporting CP over the weekend, The task at hand appears to be against their favour but scoring one away goal or maintaining a draw may not as difficult as it seems for Benfica. If Benfica are able to advance they will be awarded €6,000,000 adding to their current champions league earnings of over €22,000,000. 

The Lisbon Derby March 5, 2016

The final Lisbon Derby of the 2015/16 Liga NOS season concluded Saturday night at Estádio José Alvalade where Benfica beat their rivals from down the street Sporting CP 1-0 due to a goal in the 20' minute by Kostas Mitroglu. MitroGOLO (as he is often referred to as due to his ability to score) has produced 15 goals in 24 league matches making him the third best scorer in the Liga NOS. )

Prior to kick-off, it was reported that goalkeeper Júlio César would be out for 6 weeks due to a 

training injury. Although 37 year old back up keeper Paulo Lopes was available, coach Rui Vitória

decided to put the pressure on the young 22 year old Ederson who made his Liga NOS debut at the 

Lisbon derby. A similar situation happened during the 2013/14 season in which Artur Moraes was 

replaced by 20 year old Jan Oblak for the remainder of the season.

In terms of similarities between Oblak vs Ederson there are a few. For starters, no one expected Júlio César to be injured prior to the most important game of Benfica's season thus giving the opportunity to Ederson. Secondly, both Ederson and Oblak disallowed goals in their debute Liga NOS matches. Finally, although both are young and seemed like inexperienced keepers, they demonstrate qualities of maturity and can be reliable to start. When Júlio César returns hopefully before the end of the season he will most definitely return to the net as Benfica's starter as he is still has a lot to offer. In the meantime, let's hope that based on yesterday's performance that Ederson (Oblak 2.0) will not fail the Benfica Nation. 

During the first 10 minutes of the match, it was evident that both teams were aggressive towards each other and not settling for anything less then a victory. Jonas was taken down instantly by the Sporting CP defense inside the penalty area. Moments later during another Jonas breakaway, Sporting CP goalkeeper Rui Vitoria appeared to reach out and grab the Benfica Forward' feet. In both cases referee Artur Soares Dias did not award any penalties or fouls. Benfica broke the silence in the 20th minute as Fulham - loanee Kostas Mitroglu capitilized on a William Carvalho mistake / deflection in the penalty area which gave the reds the 1-0 advantage. Carvalho (not a defender) was simply trying to cover up the mistakes of the Sporting CP defensive line and their goalie Rui Patricio. Sporting CP were relentless and throwing everything they could to get back into this match. During the 26th minute captain Adrien Silva ran into Benfica full-back Eliseu inside of Benfica's penalty box area. Although Soares Dias could not see everything throughout the match, it was very important that he did not award Silva a penalty kick for his acting abilities on the pitch. 

In the 39th minute Jefferson in a Renato Sanches-Esq style captured a shot outside of the Benfica box catching the top of the bar of the Benfica net. Sporting CP continued to apply pressure throughout the first half testing Ederson at least once more before half time. Their momentum continued into the second half as former Benfica player Bruno César missed a headed opportunity in the 54th minute. It was no doubt that Sporting CP dominated possession on this derby day.

Once again Ederson demonstrated a notable comparison to Oblak as he punched away the ball with confidence in the 68th minute. Sporting CP best opportunity to capitalize came in the 71st minute as Adrien Silva did not score on Benfica's wide open net reminding us all of World Cup 1994 when Baggio shot the ball over the net costing Italy the World Cup. 

After many weeks, Benfica have finally claimed first place in the Liga NOS. There are still 9 match days left in the 2015/16. Benfica need to continue to be consistent and treat every game from now until then as if it were a final. Although FC Porto and Sporting CP have challenging away games ahead of them, Benfica must not worry about anyone but themselves. 

Defending champions Benfica have now won 11 of their last 12 league games. Benfica have not won three consecutive Portuguese League titles since 1974/75 - 1976/77. 

Game Statistics. 

Game Highlights

Post Game Benfica Conference

Post Game Sporting Conference