We are Benfica- NOT FOR SALE -

On the night where many players in red shone, the question will be raised from Socios and Supporters, when the group of players are more or less likely to be sold on to bigger clubs in Europe.

The likes of Fabio Coentrao, Aimar, Cardozo and Co are all on the wanted lists of the big teams.

With Portuguese football on the rise again, perhaps we should think about keeping some or most of the talent at home, make the league a force for Europe.

Why should our talent such as Coentrao go to Germany or Spain? I gather he is more then happy at Benfica, so seeing him in the red and white of Bayern Munich or the white or Real Madrid will not give me the same joy, unless he is wearing the red or Portugal.
Why should we not attract the TV audiences that the English Prem or the Spanish league do?

Benfica need to keep hold of Salvio, lets spend a little, be the club that buys big when the player is worth the money, and Salvio definitely has proven he can make a difference therefore worth the money.
Sign contracts early when we know a player is good to show the rest we mean business.

The investment on another keeper is also something we may need to look at, we spent big on Roberto, whom so far has been hit and miss, a decent back up should make him work harder.

We only have to look at Gomes the Tottenham keeper, a player that until he had no decent challenger was conceding silly goals.

Benfica should at the end of the season fight this temptation to make a bit of money, and establish the dominance of Portuguese football by creating a squad to consistently win trophies.

Maybe follow the footprints of rivals FC Porto whom don’t sell in massive numbers or build a new squad every year.

Consistency in squads is something adapted in Premier League team, top clubs keep top players, the likes of Manchester United buy 2 players and sell fringe players, Chelsea and Arsenal are the same.

Would we not be a greater squad with the likes of Ramires, David Luis, Di Maria, still in the squad? With the addition of the new faces then I am sure Benfica would dominate the league and even Europe.

We have the beautiful stadium, we have the greatest supporters on the planet, a team that can fight the title and win it every year is what it’s needed.

Let’s keep it big, lets make it great…. We are Benfica.

Benfica v Sporting BWIN Cup

Benfica 2 Sporting 1

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.

CARREGA BENFICA

Fabio Coentrao's goal

A beautiful goal from our kid Fabio.. a true star.. a natural left footed player, he struck that ball so well in the dying seconds of added on time.