Football craft is about the art of football, Benfica, my interpretation to what I see in the Liga Zon Sagres and football Involving Portuguese clubs, also grassroots and non league football in England.
Scouting at lower level and players expectations.
After a long weekend of training the young Dragons were well up for their last big match of the season and went out on the pitch really focused for the first time in a few weeks.
The hard work on pressing and shape in training was clear to see from the outset, with the midfield and forwards pressing Chelsea into mistakes.
After a couple of missed half chances and a clear penalty not given, a goal of real quality put the Dragons in front. Jamal at Right Midfield dummied inside and pinged a fifty yard switch ball to David on the Left Midfield who controlled in one touch, steadied himself and curled a beautiful cross into the box. The Dragons striker Darius read the play and rose majestically to find the top corner from 12 yards with a truly magnificent header.
HT 1-0. The manager asked for even more at Half time and the Dragons produced early with David again causing trouble. His whipped low cross confused the keeper who could only palm into his own net.
But these Dragons never like it easy and conceded territory and possession thinking the job maybe done. After 70 minutes it was 2-2 after a couple of sloppy concessions and Chelsea where now confident of pushing on to win over the now deflated Dragons. However, a canny couple of substitutions and tactical switches got them back on track and the 10 minutes left with Darius side footed from 12 yards after a set piece mix up to put them ahead once more. Another change of shape and some outstanding back foot defending nullified the threat leaving the opposition players and coaches bemused.
No not the Fulham v Chelsea FC it will be Kensington Dragons v Chelsea FC Elite, a match that will have both entertainment and heated challenges.
I mean its only an under 18’s match, why would it be so important for it to be a big thing?
Well it’s all good, but the Dragons are the eldest club in the North Kensington area, with Chelsea FC Elite (formerly known as Latimer fc and then FC Kensington) having been mostly associated with Chelsea FC Kickz Project and using the former clubs as a chance to play Sunday youth football.
But why the big importance?
Well as Kickz attracted a good number of kids from the area, it meant a lot of players from Dragons would attend sessions with the hope of ending up at Chelsea.
So when Kickz decided to join a Sunday league a small number were asked but refrained from joining them, and only trained with Kickz, but when I dropped a couple of players, they would almost automatically sign for them. All was good as one summer one of my centre backs decided that he wants to play for CHELSEA FC.. to which I replied, ‘good luck’ as would never want to keep a player from realising his dream, but also warned him that playing for Kickz was not Chelsea FC.
So this was the small start until midway through the season I found out that my captain had played for them illegally on occasions, after i told him i would report the club if he ever done it again, an angry manager phoned me and to this day i will not reveal my reply or the conversation.
The following summer my captain whom had been constantly asked to join them gave in, causing the angry reaction from some of the squad members a bit tired of intrusions.
The teams never met until Chelsea (then FC Kensington) was promoted to the Premier League from the second and us from the 1st as runner ups.
The first meeting showed that no other then 7 of our former players were playing for them, most of them players i had dropped for unruly behaviour and non commitment.
So in the meeting that followed, most games have been heated up, a decent standard of football and lots of goals, with majority of the game being of bad tackles and management have never exchanged words or handshakes, but the players after all the heated tackles, do end up speaking and having a laugh at the end of the game.
Someone not too long ago rightly asked me ''why do you refer to FC Porto as pigs'' my main answer was just the fact I grew up knowing them as pigs, the attitude of the club and its supporters is shameful, violent and damn right life threatening.
I will say this, many clubs across the world have violent fans, there is always a group that cause trouble, and Benfica fans are no exception.
The club has its own hardcore mob that has been dealt with in the past, and have somewhat scaled down from its approach to violence.
But the scale of FC Porto supporters goes well beyond fans match day violence, and something that will have to be dealt with but the authorities.
As we know FC Porto have their own registered support group that has to account for its member’s acts, after all, you can’t legally accept membership for violence (unless you are an MMA licensed fighter).
The acts after last nights game could have easily caused the death of Benfica’s President Luis Felipe Vieira, the president was driving behind the Team bus when his windscreen was hit by a sack of stones causing the driver to be assisted by paramedics with Luis Felipe Vieira being treated for injuries to his hand and face.
A little over a week ago Benfica's Vice-President was attacked outside a restaurant in the city of Porto by two masked men, and told to never speak against FC Porto or suffer a repeat.
The constant harassment from the 'Pig corral' at any given time a SL Benfica team, be it football, handball, volleyball or basketball, they travel to the dirty mud, are given the dirty treatment.
So in short to my views of the FC Porto mob, I truly believe they are directed and if not so, they are encouraged by the actions and reactions to these incidents from the King pig himself, a Mr Nuno Pinto da Costa, a man so corrupt and with no little regard for anything but his gain. A man walking on water even after being proven to have brought Portuguese football to its knees only to be allowed to carry on presiding over a club that without his money and power and influence (in bribery more often then not) would frankly not have struggled to be where they are now.
With the club releasing a statement on their website (probably in the hope they wont be attacked on their travels to Lisbon) it might be a little too late.
Benfica managed a sweet victory against a team that have so far been doing well in the league, the team from the Porto region however failed to apply the early needed pressure on Benfica, and inside four minutes, Javier Cohene seemed to catch Javi Garcia on the head and a penalty for Benfica, with Cardozo bravely stepping up to make it 1-0.
On the 13th minute after a team passing move, Gaitan connected well with Aimar, who put the ball past a helpless Cassio for 2-0.
the Eagles went ahead again on the 25th minute when Nico Gaitan from 35 yards out placed the ball on the top left corner with almost no pressure, and with such ease that he hardly felt like celebrating.
Pacos managed to grab one back when new boy Carole (yes its a boy) uknowigly directed the ball into his own net.
The team from the north finally got some grip on the game and pressed Benfica until the half time, managing to go close a couple of times, and forcing Roberto into some magnificent saves.
in the second half was a similar performance with the hosts finding the gaps, and creating chances with Benfica equally wasting them.
on the 77th minute with the introduction of Nuno Gomes the Reds looked a bit more capable upfront with the crowd cheering on and screaming for the man, and it didn't take long for the Benfica 'old boy' to get off the mark, and on the 82nd minute from the second attempt at goal.
Nuno Gomes made it 4-1 and then after playing off the last man on the 90th he finished for 5-1.
A performance that started well for Benfica, but died soon after the 3rd goal, and with some chances not being finished, the team had to count on their long serving striker to come off the bench and show some established strikers how to finish.
I for one would love to see Cardozo in games like this perform better, despite scoring a penalty, the Benfica hitman has failed to fire the bullets with the same accuracy that he had last season, and at times looking lazy.
Jorger Jesus for the tough man he is, should learn to accept that, despite having players like Kardec on the bench and an under performing Cardozo, sometimes an old head just knows better, as he has shown in the last 2 league games.
The tactics were about right but somehow the team were lacklustre in the middle part of the game, at times the leadership from the back isn't felt upfront.
But a happy day for any Benfica fan, a good over all win to ensure that 'Os Andrades' will not win the title in our back yard when Benfica will 'roast' FC Porto for the next round of the Liga Zon Sagres.
Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery have both recently claimed that the Europa League is not worth playing in, and it should be avoided.
With Bayern 4th in the Bundesliga, they will need to get their act together in the remaining eight games or face the humiliation of having to eat their own words.
Robben says 'I can't imagine playing in the EL competition' and that 'It would be the worst thing that could happen, and would be better not to play in it at all'
the flying dutchman also added "Even winning the Europa League would not mean anything for me," ending with "That is not the title you want to win and it is not something I want."
Robben seems to be more used to Champions League football, and playing in the Europa League seems to be bellow his standards.
Ribery's comments came a week after commenting;
"The Champions League is incredibly important for the team, the club and the fans,'' the French man also added. "The Europa League is rubbish and we have got to avoid that'' and also said "The best way is not to even think about that. Playing in the Europa League is no fun at all''
"Once you know the Champions League, then you always want to play in the Champions League.''
With this i am sure their team will really have to sell 2 players should they fail to qualify for the Champions League, or perhaps the two superstars are already paving their way out of the club should they not finish third at least.
But one thing is for sure.. I now want Bayern Munich to end up in the Europa League, keep both players, this way I can point at the TV and laugh... and should they end up playing an English side I will gladly pay to point at them and laugh... so look out for a banner ''HOW SHIT ARE YOU? ARJE & FRANCK''
The U18’s faced 5th placed Pitshanger FC at Birbeck, trying to cement a top 2 position for the season.
They began brightly and controlled the game but as has happened of late, paid the penalty for some poor final balls and finishing by conceding from some naive defending at a set piece.
They were 2 down shortly after the break allowing the opposition to cross too easily and not marking tightly enough in the middle.
It looked all over as the Dragons had an obvious goal chalked off with the opposition linesman refusing to admit it had crossed the line and the referee failing to spot an obvious ball had crossed the line by 2 yards at least.
But heads never went down as this clan of Dragons is made of strong stuff and once the switch was made to the emergency 3-5-2 it was one way traffic.
Two super free kicks from the inform right winger drew them level and a flowing move through the middle allowed the Dragons to smash the winner home with 10 minutes to go.
Once more the team showed some character to come from two goals down and grab all 3 points, but clearly made life hard on themselves by wasting at least 15 chances.
Next opposition will be the big West London derby at home against Chelsea FC elite at St Marks.
A tense night at Parc des Princes, PSG needed to set the tone of the game but getting a goal and then defend. Benfica needed to get the away goal and hold on for at least a 1-1 draw.
On a night where the stadium was packed, and i mean packed by Benfica supporters and a squad that had been rested from playing the previous league game, the expectations of the visiting crowd and Eagle supporters were high.
Benfica started the match well, the attack from Benfica as usual was rushed forward, with a PSG defence able to stand the attack, Makelele seemed the man to break up most of Benfica’s attack from the middle, where Benfica had Pablo Aimar whom was being instrumental to create the offensive play.
Benfica took the lead on the 27th minute when Nico Gaitan was fed outside the area by Salvio, the Argentine looked up as to cross, but opted for a long range shot at goal, and with the ball swerving away from Edel Benfica went ahead 1-0 and with the much needed away goal.
But it was to be a short lived lead as on the 35th minute Bodmer equalized from a sweet right foot volley just inside Roberto’s goal area.
The second half was mainly dominated by the French, with Benfica being taken back to its goal at most occasions, the likes of Coentrao and Maxi Pereira constantly working the wings from the back, supporting Gaitan and Javi with Saviola in Behind Cardozo seemed to be always good for a counter attack at the ever attacking French side looking to get 1 goal to take the tie into extra time.
Roberto was called upon late in the match to make a point blank save to keep the reds in the game.
Benfica would have been able to get away from this with a goal more, but the usual connection of passing and finishing in the final third of the pitch was always stopping the comfortable passage through.
The atmosphere in the final 10 minutes in the stadiums was more than Benfica would have imagined, the crown of over 20,000 travelling an immigrant Portuguese people made it a home away from home, and the songs ‘Glorioso SLB’ and ‘Benfica Campeao’ could be hard to inspire the team on.
On another note with FC Porto and SC Braga through to the quarters as well, it could be a meeting between two Portuguese team or not avoidable should the all reach the semi finals.
With the Eagle more or less out of the running for the league after the loss in Braga last week, Jorge Jesus had opted to rest some players for the upcoming second leg match against PSG.
A line up not including the likes of Fabio Coentrao and Roberto, Moreira took over goal guarding duties. Jesus gave January signing Carole his first start at left back with Luis Felipe at right back.
With Luisao, Javi Garcia and Maxi Pereira suspended, it was to be a different back four. The partnership of Jardel with Roderick at the back was to be tested.
Airton held the centre with Aimar just in-front, with Menezes and Peixoto at either side, Jara and Kardec upfront.
With the opposing team being rooted to the bottom of the league, it was as good time as any to try out some players, to observe strengths and weaknesses.
But the team from Portimao were in no mood to lay back and let their host mess about with the subs.
Portimao went ahead on the 29th minute when Ricardo Pessoa converted a penalty when Roderick handled just inside the area.
The game was only to be equalized on the 78th Minute, Nuno Gomes came off the bench to head the ball into the back of the net.
On a night where many questioned the decision to used that many players not often used.
But I liked a few things that I saw, I liked the Young full back Carole, although he will take some hard work to replace Fabio Coentrao, his style was different, he preferred the much direct passing forward, he pushed and was able to get in space, but clearly he needs more games.
The partnership of Roderick and Jardel, at times resembled the Luisao Sidnei, ‘oh the one where they don’t understand each other that is’, Roderick attempt to clear with his hand instead of his head resulted in a penalty. To say the back four could have had a rest on this night too.
The style of play from the team was somewhat usual, kept majority of possession, had more shots at goal etc etc...
But this was a game to try and rest the players for the match where the club is looking to concentrate on, the Europa League, going into the game against PSG 2-1 up, it will be important to score early or not concede a goal at least. So Benfica will need to have rested their more senior and established players to focus on such task ahead.
Even if those who attended the game or Watched it on TV and Stream were there hoping to see the likes of Coentrao and Saviola only but only saw Carole and Jara, it is important to know that when you support Benfica you support the players wearing the shirt, after all the saying ‘Benfica ate de baixo de agua’ (Benfica even under water) should come into effect regardless of the players on show.
But what would I like to see more from Benfica in the next couple of seasons is the acquisition or development of more Portuguese players.
The U18's Dragons arrived at Headstone Manor FC just as the heavens opened and it seemed to dampen their spirits as well as drench their coaching staff and substitutes.
A loose midfield pass led to a counter and a very soft Headstone penalty. The visitors were 2 down shortly after as the keeper came out, no one thought to guard the empty net and the striker composed himself and slotted home. The reaction was good though and the end of the half saw the young Dragons hit the woodwork 3 times and very unlucky to go in 2 goals down. The comeback seemed inevitable after the break but the job was made even harder with the referee awarding another penalty rather than a 6.0 for the dive over the defending Dragon and into the box, 3-0.
However the Dragons are made of stern stuff and after the striker finally found his shooting boots to power one back, the management reshuffled into a 3-5-2 to rescue the situation.
Five minutes later the lead was only one after a good move down the left leaving the Dragons MoM midfielder to slot home at the far post.
The ref however had one more contribution, this time awarding a soft away pen and it was 3-3.
A great comeback in an average performance but the Dragons still left unhappy as they had 3 or 4 good chances to steal all the points at the death but failed to find the target.
FT 3-3
Jorge Jesus has taken a gamble in the selection for the game versus Portimonense.
In what seems like a chance to rest some of the players for the coming European game against PSG in France on Thursday.
First choice keeper Roberto has been rested alongside Fabio Coentrao and Carlos Martins was also allowed to stay home (or watch from the stands).
Jesus has drafted in Jose Fernadez and Airton (should he recover from a mild illness) with Carole the young French left back included in the squad.
With Luisao, Maxi Pereira and Javi Garcia all suspended for the game, Jesus will have to reshuffle the defence whilst giving some players their much needed rest.
Although Benfica will host the team that currently is bottom if the league, Jorge Jesus has promised that the team has the responsibility to win the game, with Portimonense looking to climb off the foot of the table.
The Mister has also expressed his delight at the call up of Salvio and Gaitan into the Argentina for two friendly games.
After having witnessed Braga beat Liverpool 1-0 and their fiercest rivals FC Porto grab a 0-1 victory in Moscow against CSKA, Benfica needed a win to complete the Portuguese hat-trick in the Europa League.
The French side PSG were in no mood to let Benfica play their all out attacking football, with Manager Kombouare stating that the team would be happy top defend and catch Benfica on the counter attack.
The eagles got the game well underway when Gaitan tested Edel with a shot just outside the area, calling for an acrobatic save.
Benfica then went on a defending duty with Erdnic twisting and turning the defence in and out and requiring Roberto do pull a save out of the blue.
But it was PSG that on the 15th minute found the defence out of shape, with Sidnei having drifted away from his man, allowed Luyindula to slip in between Coentrao and beat Roberto on his Left side.
Benfica kept the constant attack towards PSG goal, with mainly the final pass failing them, it was a night where the ball was put on the right and the attacker went left, and what looked like a real misunderstanding between all.
At the back for the duo of Sidnei and Luisao, it was also to be a case of mistaken partnership and communication. With both going for the same ball and failing to header it on the 16th minute, Ednic was found at the far post and from the cross, he had a shot, which hit the post and Sidnei magaged to to just get his head on the ball for a corner.
Benfica were tested and frustrated for a long periods of time and their constant attack meant that the back four was usually left bare. PSG seemed to find the easy pass in between and over Luisao and Sidnei, with Coentrao usually tracking back from his trips forward.
Benfica went on a better run, going over the bar with shots from Cardozo and Carlos Martins. The equalizer came on the 42nd minute when Carlos Martins chipped the ball over, Maxi Pereira slipped in behind Armand and placed it over the out coming Edel for the 1-1.
The second half was a similar affair, but Benfica seemed more on top of the game, but still finding it hard to convert the passing football into goals.
Saviola was brought down in the area by Makonda but the official waved it off.
But it was to be 10 minutes from the end, when Aimar played Jara, who opened up his body, and from just inside the D beat Edel to seal a victory.
A night that the entire Portuguese entry all came away with a win, and according to my fellow Twitter @PaulSeery, such results mean Portugal will have 3 teams in the European Champions League f9r the 12/13 season.
On another note, Benfica looked a team with a good attacking squad, but the likes of Luisao and Sidnei will need to sort themselves out, with the latter needing to step up on all occasions not the odd one. The forward players in Cardozo and Saviola, although two different players in size and technique, could benefit the squad if only they actually played off each other with a better understanding of their movements.
I could easily go through life as a man watching football, happy to support my team from afar, but the truth is, my team is more than a team, it’s almost a way of life, and a family stone.
Portuguese football is not the strongest in Europe at the present time, but never the less it’s still a vital and important championship for the people in the country and the immigrants who turn on their Cabo Tv or Streaming feeds from across the globe to watch the big three play.
From the moment I can remember, I have supported Benfica, My father installed it in me and the whole clan from birth, Benfica was the family team.
When I was old enough to understand, my father sat me down and told me that he had supported FC Porto in his teens, mostly due to the fact that he was born up north in Gaia, across the river from Porto.
The explanation for the switch was that he felt FC Porto were an obnoxious club, the whole way of life from the way it was ran, to the way most FC Porto fans spoke and behaved was against his believe and ways.
My father secretly changed to Benfica as a youngster, and only until he moved away to the colonies in Africa, like Angola and Mozambique in his late teens, did he openly supported Benfica.
In my views when a youngster, were of FC Porto being a club hell bent on doing anything and everything to win matches.
On my annual trips up to Gaia and Porto the atmosphere on match day was intense, the blue and white tops in the shop windows would turn my stomach in, at the tender age of 9 the last i remember.
But Benfica has a tradition of being a family club, a club supported nationally and worldwide with Sporting being the other club closely followed by a considerably number of supporters nationally. However FC Porto were and i believe still are only supported in the north of Portugal with a few supporters across the country .
But Benfica is a long standing part of my life, small examples are that my favourite colour is red due to the kit, I will have no dark blue or any green and white in my house, my daughter supports Benfica, Manchester United and Fulham (Man Utd due to mother and Fulham as my second team). Her Great-grandmother from mom’s side is a die-hard Benfica fan, and the only thing to keep her from praying would be a Benfica match, and she also makes sure each grandchild has a Benfica kit by the age of one.
To the Rage:
The rage of the cheating and the conspiracy is what makes me and many of my Benfica family’s blood boil, both at home and all over the world, if twitter as a tool of communication is anything to go by, at the response to the Braga v Benfica match.
Last night was a good example of the way the north team of Braga, hell bent on creating an atmosphere and damage to throw Benfica off the title, and pave the way for FC Porto to lead the championship by 11 points.
From Golf Balls, Coins, Lighters and who else knows what was thrown at the Benfica players, it is a disgrace, but very common in the north now days. Often an FC Porto sponsored Golf fest.
Ahead of local derbies and classicos, there are always reports of Golf balls being sold out, and in strict searches, these still pass.
But it wasn’t only the supporters on their own, the stadium announcer was egging supporters on with anti Benfica chants (against FIFA rules)
Braga and its supporters made sure when Benfica fans celebrated the equalizer, that they were immediately assaulted not only by the fans but also by the police.
And for what went on in the pitch, I will let you watch this Video Courtesy of AVOZDAAGUIA.COM
the under 18's were away at Heathrow looking to consolidate a top 3 league finish.
There was a little lack of focus early on allowing the opposition to get a foothold in the game.
The Dragon's keeper had to make one sharp save before they eventually took hold of the game and half chances came and went with some help from an opposition linesman seemingly determined to keep his side level.
Training
After a stern reminder from the manager on keeping possesion and an inspirational captains huddle the young Dragons dominated the 2nd half with many close calls and a missed penalty. However they would not be denied, some great work from the left back forcing the keeper to save only for the penalty culprit to nip in and grab the winner.
FT 0-1 The Dragons are still top but with 2 teams close behind with a few games in hand.
Golf balls and off the bench refereeing decisions,
Benfica have lost their first match in a long while, it came at the hands of SC Braga and at a time when Benfica needed the three points to keep the pressure on FC Porto.
From the off Benfica seemed a team capable of getting a good result, but Braga had other intentions, throwing it all at Benfica.
On the 24th minute Saviola made it 1-0 when a free kick from Carlos Martins was badly handed by Artur, Saviola pounced to score.
The key moment for Braga’s game came on the 40th minute, when Javi Garcia was sent off after Alan fell to the floor claiming to have been punched in the throat, and with the Braga bench and officials all in agreement (and probably one made before the game) saw the red card routinely raised by Xistra. The resulting free kick from the side line saw Hugo Viana lob Roberto whom was way off his line.
The crowd egged on by the stadium announcer lost all control, and on a dry night, it seemed to rain golf balls and coins, many hitting Benfica players.
Benfica took to the pitch in the second half, with Saviola coming off and Airton coming in.
It seemed most attacks created Benfica just could not find the opening needed.
When the chances finally came, Cardozo and Coentrao were the two players who danced in front of goal but failed to convert.
Mossoro then ended Benfica’s night with a sweet right footer that again went over Roberto to make it 2-1.
Benfica take on Braga today in week 22 of the Liga ZON Sagres.
With FC Porto opening up a whooping eleven point gap having beaten Vitoria Guimaraes on Saturday night, the pressure is on Benfica to get all 3 points against an inform Europa League Braga team.
Jorge Jesus has called up 20 players to travel north for the game. With Pablo Aimar injured and Nico Gaitan not looking at his best physically, Jesus has brought in Cesar Peixoto, Airton and Jose Fernandez to cover all fronts.
The manager claims there are no pressures to get all three points, but at the same time he has made sure that all players in the squad are at their peak in terms of fitness and mental awareness.
With all said, Jesus should gamble on the full eleven that started the match Vs Sporting in the midweek cup victory.
On the Braga front, the team is doing well in Europe but seem to be struggling in the domestic league, placed a lowly 8th compared to last season’s second place, and with a game against Liverpool midweek, they might focus on their strengths.
I have recently taken over my old under 18s, a decision that I had to think hard about.
I had been away from management for eight months. Scouting, spending time with family and my full time chef job was what I had to concentrate on and stepping back in would be giving some time up.
I was asked by the outgoing manager Mustafa as a favour to manage until the end of season. He had been my assistant for 2 seasons until this season started (1 season at a different club). When I first brought him on board, It was his first job as a coach but after 2 seasons he wanted to try his hand at managing, so I stepped aside as I had another u18 team I worked with midweek, therefore giving him a break into management.
Having taken the squad from under 13s where we had started in the 3rd division all the way into the Premiership at u17s, I had the chance to step into a higher standard of youth football and be appointed director of football at another club, whilst still working with some of my players from the previous club going in between and having the same assistant was never like leaving.
But after 2 seasons at my then new club, it was hard to implement a good standard without any support or financial stability. The role also included me taking over the first team who had been suspended from the league due to ground grading. So after a long summer of setting up a new squad to play in a lower league, the plug was pulled due to a sudden merger set to happen the year after and the Chairman not being able to find any support to help run the club in the admin side. So with all this I decided to take some time off.
So now the return to management...
I had watched the team on three occasions. On two occasions at the manager’s request as they encountered the derby rivals and he felt more at ease (his own words) with me on the sideline.
Mustafa called me to say he had gotten a job coaching a 4th division team in Sweden, a full time coaching position that he had longed for. I was pleased as it was something he had mentioned in conversations.
Mustafa had a word with the chairman and both wanted me to take the team as I knew some of the boys and would distract very little from the league.
True I had managed 6 of the players but there was another bunch I had only seen play once at one stage or another, but I didn’t know anyone’s strengths and weaknesses’, so when the news were broken to the squad that I would be taking over and the manager departing, this was the only transition of management, I was asked not to come on board until 3 weeks after, and with only 1 training session before a double header game against one of the teams hot on our heels and who had knocked them out of the cup.
Two weeks have passed, we have had 3 games, 3 victories which means top of the table but we have a few games ahead of the rivals.
I have enlisted 2 new coaches who have both worked with me and are also first team players for my current team to which the boys have taken to.
But training attendance at the moment is not to my standards, but with transfer window closed, it makes hard to drop and recruit players.
But like I said I will only do it until the end of the season and see if offers to either the first team or at another senior club come along next season.
Benfica has been recognized as the best club in the world by the International Federation of Football History & Statistic (IFFHS)
The website writes:
"The World Club Team of the Month for February is Sport Lisboa e Benfica ahead of AFC Ajax Amsterdam. In February the Portuguese won all their matches in the national league, the national FA Cup and in the Europa League."
Benfica have won 18 out of their last 18 games and have merited this award.
Benfica ahve also had their ground almost full for their last 3 home matches. (not relevant but worth a mention)
For the full Article click here and read about the Glorioso's rise and ranking.
Not long has passed since the last meeting and Benfica have met their fiercest rivals again for the Lisbon derby, this time at the Estadio da Luz a couple miles down the road from Alvalade, but this time it was to be for the League Cup.
A good night it was for a Benfica team what went into this game with 17 wins in 17 games.
Sporting have endured a miserable period in the league and Europe, having lost against Benfica a fortnight ago, gone out to Rangers in Europe, followed by the resignation of their manager Paulo Sergio. New Coach Couceiro has not started well, losing to Nacional away in Madeira by 1 goal in a foggy pitch.
But Sporting’s misery is nowt of Benfica’s Concern, each one tides up their own house, and Benfica surely made sure they kept Sporting at margin.
Even with Sporting opening the score on the 21st minute when, Helder Postiga lunged at Roberto’s attempt to grab the ball, only for the Portuguese forward to smash it into the goal.
On the 32nd Minute Benfica were awarded a Penalty after Polga was judged to have held on to Javi Garcia in the area.. Oscar Cardozo stepped up to convert, only for Rui Patricio to second guess the spot and save it, out for a corner. With the corner taken Cardozo rose above all, with a powerful header made it 1-1.
The second half was a game well fought, Benfica pressed the Sporting goal, sporting came close a few times, in the dying minutes, Sporting forced Roberto into 3 good saves.
On the 91st minute Javi Garcia found himself in the area after attempts from Benfica to score and Sporting to clear, and with no hesitation Javi made it 2-1.
Benfica will now meet either Pacos de Ferreira or Nacional for the Final on the 23rd of April in Coimbra.
