Thoughts On SL Benfica During 2015/16

Now that SL Benfica's 2015/16 season has come to an end, The Benfica Nation can reflect on a satisfying but at times difficult successful season. Coach Rui Vitoria was criticized and often deemed as a coach not suitable to coach any of "The Big 3" in Portugal. After a dreadful pre-season in which SL Benfica lost literally every game on their North American Tour, and a mediocre start to the 2015/16 season, 

SPORTING CP & JORGE JESUS

The Benfica Nation did not believe in Vitoria and his coaching methods. Although, SL Benfica had an impressive 4-0 matchday #1 result against Estoril, just a few days prior SL Benfica lost the Portuguese Super Cup to local rivals Sporting CP. A defeat that would be the first of three loses to Sporting CP and would include an interesting feud between SL Benfica's former coach Jorge Jesus and their new coach Rui Vitoria. 

Matchday #8 saw one of SL Benfica worst defeats ever in history at The Luz as SL Benfica fell 3 -0 to an compact, determined Sporting CP. Jorge Jesus and his mind games and experience as a former SL Benfica coach paid off as his team was victorious. Sporting CP had not seen a victory at The Luz since January 28, 2006. SL Benfica were now seven points behind Sporting and sat mid table in the Liga while Sporting were continuing to enjoy their dominance in the Liga. 

JJ mentioned in a press conference that while at Benfica for 6 years he successfully defeated Sporting CP fourteen times. Vitoria remained a professional and would not comment much in the press conferences about the "JJ mind tricks."

Benfica's Portuguese Cup dreams came to an end during the fourth round in which they lost 2-1 to Sporting CP at the Alvalade. Sporting's President Bruno De Carvalho continued to be vocal on Facebook and social media constantly putting down Benfica's players, coach, and anyone associated with the club. It seemed almost impossible at this point that Benfica were going to beat Sporting CP and become champions for the third consecutive season. 

On week 25 SL Benfica were victorious 1-0 at The Alvalade in a much needed victory. After suffering 2 loses in the Liga to FC Porto, a previous lost to Sporting CP, and a controversial loss in matchday #2 to Arouca, in order for Benfica to be champions they could not afford to lose to Sporting a second time in the Liga. Had Benfica not won at the Alvalade, the "Tri" probably would of never came. 

FC Porto

Although everyone thought that it was going to be Sporting's year, FC Porto made life difficult for Benfica in both Liga matches. With such additions as Maxi, and Iker Casillas it was no doubt that Porto wanted to stop Benfica from getting their "Tri" by spending on big names. FC Porto beat SL Benfica on matchday #5 with 1-0 victory in the 86'. Benfica played a great first half playing a two striker formation and dominating in not only possession but shots on goals.

Benfica on matchday #22 hosted FC Porto and suffered their first loss 2-1 in the Liga in 13 matches. Although, FC Porto at this point seemed distant from winning the Liga and were in shambles due to a change in coach, frustration from the players, and internal turmoil involving FC Porto mastermind Pinto Da Costa, wife, and son, FC Porto will always want to be victorious against Benfica (and vice versa)

FC Porto did end up finishing third in the season 15 points behind first place Benfica (88 points). A result alongside Benfica's Tri that has convinced The Benfica Nation that there has been a change of the guard in the Liga as FC Porto's dominance is no longer evident. 

Rui Vitoria   

Now that SL Benfica have won the "Tri" looking back throughout the season there were most definitely doubts and criticism of the new coach. Vitoria's accomplishments other then winning the "Tri"and the Portuguese Liga Cup include the following:

1) Quarter - Finals stages in the UEFA Champions League (including 30 million + in UEFA bonuses)

2) Giving opportunities to Benfica's Youth & B Team players. (Most evident was Renato Sanches who was just sold to Bayern Munich. Benfica have made over 100 million in selling youth players within the last few seasons.)

3) Remaining professional while representing the club in the media during press conferences pre and post match

Vitoria went from coaching smaller clubs to the biggest platform in Portugal and possibly the world. He was the third highest paid coach in Portugal and is extremely loyal and passionate with his current coaching job. There is no doubt that Vitoria shares the same vision for Benfica as President LFV and that is investment at the Seixal amongst "Made In Benfica" players. 

With silly season approaching there is no doubt that Benfica will sell some of their current squad. Just like last season when Benfica sold an entire full squad of players, Vitoria will look at Benfica's youth for an opportunity to step up during the 2016/17 season. Just like this year Vitoria may have yet another quality "Made In Benfica" player on the cusp of breaking into the main squad and possibly be sold for millions and millions of Euro's. 

Renato Sanches Joins Bayern Munich

What seems to be considered the most expensive transfer in not only Benfica's history but in the Portuguese Liga NOS for a Portuguese born star, Renato Sanches signed on the dotted line earlier today with a move to Bayern Munich on a five year contract which will take him to June 2021. Bayern Munich and SL Benfica have agreed on a 35 million euro transfer move which can end up becoming almost 80 million depending on performance clauses. 

The 18 year old midfielder has been a Benfica player for a decade now and just like other "Made In Benfica" or "Made At The Seixal" players like Bernardo Silva, Ivan Cavaleiro, and Marcos Lopes to name a few, Sanches was a raw talent who went for big money and will go onto to bigger leagues and better opportunities. It was only recently that Benfica's President Luis Filipe Viera was recieving an award in Dubai in recognition of Benfica's youth program as being the best in the world. A title in which for many years Sporting CP was often recognized for. 

Despite of what critics may speculate, Renato Sanches was born on August 18, 1997 in Lisbon, Portugal. He is of Cape Verdian decent. He spent most of his youth playing soccer on the streets with friends and family. By age 9 he was enrolled in Benfica's youth teams and would eventually become a part of Benfica's senior team. During the 2014/15 season Sanches made his professional debute on Benfica's B team campaign and UEFA Youth League squad. At the beginning of the 2015/16 season Benfica appointed Rui Vitoria as their new coach who advertised from day one that there will be opportunity in Benfica's main squad for youth players as long as they earn their spot. Renato Sanches was slowly integrated into Vitoria's midfield and quickly built a reputation as not giving up and being aggressive yet strategic with his style of football. Sanches also caught the eye of not only Portuguese National Team Head Coach Fernandes Santos but Louis Van Gaal, Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, and of course Carlo Ancelotti. 

There are many memorable moments of Sanches while wearing a Benfica jersey. He contributed to the 11-1 UEFA Youth League victory against Galatassaray. There was of course the goal against Academica which got everyone talking. His performance in the Champions League Quarter - Finals against Bayern Munich but his most impressive performance came after a recent game against Rio Ave when he was abused racially by fans. Sanches response shows his humbleness and humility as most players in those circumstances would get emotional, Sanches laughed it off while walking off the pitch. 

It is sad that Sanches will not be included in Benfica's next season but the shock value should not be surprising to the Benfica Nation since this move has been reported for most of this year that Sanches leaving was a done deal. The only real shock value in this move was Renato Sanches signed to Bayern Munich when it was guaranteed that he would sign to Manchester United.

Sanches move to Bayern Munich will be a beneficial move for his career. Bayern Munich is one of the biggest clubs in the world with deep pockets who not only dominate the German Bundesliga almost yearly but are always a top team in the UEFA Champions League. Had Sanches move to the English Premier League gone through, he may very well of ended up joining the ranks of Bebe, Anderson, and Nani whose move started off with high hopes and ended up in a bust. A move to Barcelona or Real Madrid currently may only of got him a spot on the bench and not necessarily the starting 11 with the calibur of talent. 

Financially, Benfica once again hits the jackpot big with one of their home-grown talents. Sanches is now the first ever Liga NOS player to join Bayern Munich. This deal may not of been so lucrative with such top teams in Serie A or such La Liga teams as Atletico who in the past have created "secret handshake" deals or have deals with Benfica that do not make any sense (i.e Roberto, Raul Jimenez etc.) Benfica receives almost 80 million while Sanches begins another chapter in his career. Even Cristiano Ronaldo's fee from Sporting CP to Manchester United was not even  half of this one. Speaking of CR7, I'm sure he may of been a little jealous during this Portugal friendly.