http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2892/slbsgro9.jpg

Stadium
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4800/estadiodaluz3copyoc1.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2420/estadiodaluz2ro7.jpg



Team Shirts
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1537/27444ti5.jpg

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/7686/equipamentostv8.jpg

Team honours
- National

- Portuguese League (I Divisão, I Liga, Superliga, Liga): 31

Winners: 1935/36 1936/37 1937/38 1941/42 1942/43 1944/45 1949/50 1954/55 1956/57 1959/60 1960/61 1962/63 1963/64 1964/65 1966/67 1967/68 1968/69 1970/71 1971/72 1972/73 1974/75 1975/76 1976/77 1980/81 1982/83 1983/84 1986/87 1988/89 1990/91 1993/94 2004/05;

Runners-up (24):



- Portuguese Cup: 24

Winners: 1939/40 1942/43 1943/44 1948/49 1950/51 1951/52 1952/53 1954/55 1956/57 1958/59 1961/62 1963/64 1968/69 1969/70 1971/72 1979/80 1980/81 1982/83 1984/85 1985/86 1986/87 1992/93 1995/96 2003/04

Runners-up (9):



- Former Portuguese Championship (between 1921–1922 and 1937–1938): 3

Winners: 1929/30 1930/31 1934/35



- SuperCup Cândido de Oliveira: 4

Winners: 1979/80 1984/85 1988/89 2005/06

Runners-up (10):




- European

European Champions Cup: 2

Winners: 1961, 1962;

Runners-up (5) 1963, 1965, 1968, 1988, 1990


UEFA Cup: 0
Runners-up (1): 1983




Historical Results

Historical results

Benfica-7 Madrid Football Club-0 in 1913: Still not known by the royal name, the Spanish side traveled to Portugal, after being invited to play against Lisbon clubs. In January 26th, despite being in his dawn of international games, Benfica would achieve one of the heaviest defeats ever of Real Madrid's international historic record.

Benfica-12 FC Porto-2 in 1943: in the 5th round of the 1942\43 national championship, FC Porto suffered their biggest defeat ever in the championships. Julinho scored four times, Manuel da Costa, Valadas and Teixeira twice and Francisco Ferreira one. Alfredo scored and own goal. At half time, the score was 4-0. Benfica would eventually win the title in the end.

Benfica-7 Sporting-2 in 1946: The longest series of consecutive defeats (5) against the historical rival ended in style, in the 18th round of the 1945\46 championship. Both Arsénio and Mário Rui achieved a hat-trick while Rogério scored one goal. It was the first time in History either team scored more than 5 goals against the other.

Benfica-2 Girondins Bordeux-1 in 1950: Breaking an unprecedent four years hiatus by winning the 1949\50 national league championships, the club played the recently formed Latin Cup, held in Portugal, in the national stadium. Surpassing Lazio in semi-finals, Benfica met the French champions, Bordeux, in the final game. The final 3-3 result after extra time obliged both teams to play another game, one week later. In June 18th, 1950, Benfica won 2-1, with a goal from Julinho, on the 146th minute, after a late tie in the regular time. The game was added 30 minutes scheduled in extra time which didn't produce any goals, followed by a 10-minute extra period until one of the teams scored the winning goal. With 266 minutes in total, this was easily one of the longest finals in Football History. It was the very first international success of Benfica as well as the Portuguese football.

Benfica-3 Barcelona-2 in 1961: For the first time, Benfica reached an European Cup final in 60/61. Their opposition was the giant and highly favorited Barcelona. Benfica defeated Barca 3-2, becoming the first club to win the European Cup besides Real Madrid, who had won the previous 5 finals.

Benfica-5 Real Madrid-3 in 1962: In 61/62 Benfica reached the European Cup final again, in one of the most anticipated finals of all time: The current champions against the former 5 times winners Real Madrid. With Eusebio on one side and Di Stefano on the other. The game was a very emotional one, with Benfica coming from 2-0 and 3-2 down to beat Real Madrid 5-3 and becoming European champions for the second time in a row. Eusebio scored 2 goals in this historic victory.

Benfica-5 Real Madrid-1 in 1965: Game for the 1/4 finals of the 64/65 Champions Cup's season and Benfica demolished the Spanish giants, with Eusebio scoring 2 goals.

Ajax-1 Benfica-3 in 1969: Counting for the first leg of 1968\69 Champion's Cup´ quarter-finals, Benfica won in a heavily snowed field, beating Johan Cruijff ´s side with a great performance. This win is historically significant, as Benfica was the first club in Europe to be able to defeat the Amsterdam team in his homeland for UEFA competitions, and was the only European club to achieve such success for a long time: Ajax wouldn't lose another European match at home until September 1981, in the first round of 1981\82 Cup Winners' Cup edition, when Tottenham Hotspur beat them 2-1. Despite the important victory, Benfica didn't secure the two goals advantage, losing by the same score in the return match in Lisbon, and by 0-3 after extra time in Paris, in the decision match, not managing to follow to the semi-final for the sixth time in nine years.

Benfica-5 Feyenoord-1 in 1972: In the first hand, Benfica had lost 0-1 to Feyenoord, but in the return leg, Benfica were able to win 5-1, with 3 goals scored in the last 10 minutes.

Benfica-6 FCPorto-0 in 1972: Game for the 1/4 finals of the Portuguese Cup. And it was one of the biggest victories of Benfica over rivals FCPorto.

Benfica-5 Sporting-0 in 1978: A very famous victory of Benfica over the all-time-rivals Sporting Lisbon. At half-time Benfica were already winning 5-0.

AS Roma-1 Benfica-2 in 1983: A magnificent victory in Italy over a great Roma team that became Italian champions that year, and reached the Champions cup final in the following year.

Benfica-5 Sporting-0 in 1986: Game for the 1/4 finals of the Portuguese Cup and Benfica were able to equal the victory of 1978.

Benfica-2 Steaua-0 in 1988: 2ª hand of the semi-finals of the Champions Cup of the 87/88 season. With an astonishing attendance of 120.000, Benfica won 2-0 at Gheorghe Hagi's Steaua and reached the final.

Benfica-1 Marseille-0 in 1990: 2ª hand of the semi-finals of the Champions Cup of the 89/90 season. In France, Benfica had lost 1-2 and in this game, Benfica scored the winning goal, only five minutes to the end, in a polemic goal. Vata scored with his hand, which wasn't spotted by the official.

Arsenal-1 Benfica-3 in 1991: Game for the 2º round of the Champions Cup. After a 1-1 draw at Lisbon, the teams drew again in London after 90 minutes. However, Benfica were able to score 2 goals in extra-time and eliminated the English champions from the most important competition in Europe.

Leverkusen-4 Benfica-4 in 1994: One of the most emotional matches of Benfica history. A total of eight goals in the end of this game, as Benfica got the passport to the semi-finals of the Cup winners Cup.

Sporting-3 Benfica-6 in 1994: In the game that decided the 93/94 championship, Benfica made one of the best performances of all times, winning in an astonishing way in the home of their arch-rivals.

Sporting-1 Benfica-4 in 1998: Another famous victory of Benfica over Sporting.

Benfica-2 Manchester United-1 in 2005: For the first time, Benfica were able to defeat Man Utd, gaining the right to play the next round of the Champions League, and even more impressive: leaving Man Utd out of European competitions for the season.

Liverpool-0 Benfica-2 in 2006: Benfica is one of the few European clubs that can proudly say that were able to defeat Liverpool at Anfield. A historical victory.



Notable former players

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/6386/untitled1ew2.jpg





Squad changes 2006/07 season

In:

David Luiz (Vitória) - 1M€ for 50%
Marc Zoro (Messina) - free transfer
Fábio Coentrão (Rio Ave) - 1M€
Oscar Cardozo (Newell's Old Boys) - 9M € for 80%
Manuel Fernandes (Everton) - back from loan
Gonzalo Bergessio (Racing) - 1,5M €
Hans-Jorg Butt (Leverkusen) - free transfer
Angel Dí María (Rosario Central) - 5M € for 80%
Andrés Díaz (Rosario Central) - 1M € for 50%
Sretenovic (Rad Belgrado) - free transfer
Freddy Adu (Real Salt Lake) - 1,5M €
Luís Filipe (Braga) - 500m €

Out:

Simão - Atlético de Madrid (20 M € more two players)
Manduca - AEK Athens
Beto - FC Sion
João Coimbra (loan) - Nacional da Madeira
Pedro Correia (loan) - Desportivo das Aves
Kaz Patafta (loan) - Melbourne Victory
Anderson
Paulo Jorge (loan) - Malaga
Karagounis - free




Current Squad

GK: Quim, Moreira, Hans-Jorg Butt
RB: Nélson, Luís Filipe
LB: Léo, Miguelito
DC: Luisão, David Luiz, Zoro, Sretenovic, Miguel Vítor*
MDC: Petit, Romeu Ribeiro*
MC: Katsouranis, Manuel Fernandes, Nuno Assis, Andrés Díaz
MAD: Manú**
MAE: Fábio Coentrão
MAC: Rui Costa, Freddy Adu
A: Mantorras, Nuno Gomes, Oscar Cardozo, Bergessio, Angel Di María, Yu Dabao*

* ex-youth squad, will do the pre-season, don't know if they'll stay in the first team or not

** probably gonna be sold

Força Benfica allez (Y)

http://touqenemposso.blogs.sapo.pt/arquivo/benfica_stadium_devil.jpg

hopefully this thread will be more active than the last one.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/9408/4217700947ag9.jpg

CARREGA BENFICA!

Well we were so close to title last year.

Hopefully this year!:)

Great job with the new thread mate! (Y)

Hopefully we'll win it this year:p


-----------------------------------
Rumor today in Correio da Manhã they are saying Hugo Viana will be loaned to us.

If he'll be here to be benched that's fine by me. I already said it here I think, I used to like watching him play when he was at Sporting but he never seemed to return to those days after he left them.

Anyway it's just a rumour, but Karagounis might be leaving. However we'll have M. Fernandes (hopefully) for the left CM position.

Denied already

Benfica nega interesse em Hugo Viana

Face às notícias veiculadas no dia hoje, aludindo ao interesse do S.L.Benfica no jogador Hugo Viana, do Valência Club de Fútbol, a Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD, nega que tenha existido qualquer interesse desta sociedade desportiva no referido atleta.



I'm liking this attitude, this probably means we are really interested in Fabrizio, Cássio, Willian e Ratinho.

Denied already

Benfica nega interesse em Hugo Viana

Face às notícias veiculadas no dia hoje, aludindo ao interesse do S.L.Benfica no jogador Hugo Viana, do Valência Club de Fútbol, a Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD, nega que tenha existido qualquer interesse desta sociedade desportiva no referido atleta.



I'm liking this attitude, this probably means we are really interested in Fabrizio, Cássio, Willian e Ratinho.

Good. (Y)

Yeah, you're right at least this way most of speculation only lasts a few hours. Defenately an improvement over the last years.

http://www.record.pt/getimage.asp?tb=IMAGENS&id=106125

Doubt he could ever adapt to a completely different type of game...

He's really amazing in Futsal, fantastic technique and speed, great finishing, one of the best in the world.

Robinho, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and many others have played Futsal before, but the difference is that those started playing 11 Football at a young stage, Ricardinho is 21 "already".

Fred started at 18 tho... We never know, one thing is sure, we could not win a good football player, but we will never lose the megastar he is in Futsal, Falcão (world number 1) tried in São Paulo, but he haven't succeeded, so he came back to Futsal.

Let's wait and see, but it would be amazing to see him doing the "cabrito" to Pepe (H)

Steaua have made an offer of €900k for Pedro Correia. Any info would do. :$

Benfica have denied that Ricardinho will be doing the pre-season with the main 11 football team.

It's on the official site, guess it was only BS from Record..

Steaua have made an offer of €900k for Pedro Correia. Any info would do. :$

He's a RB. Never watched him play, so can't really help you much.. The only occasion he played in the A team was in some tourney in Dubai. I've heard good things about him, but apparently he didn't convince our coach. But Fernando Santos isn't the type of coach to take a risk in giving chances to young players he's unsure about, so Pedro Correia only played on that tourney with the senior team, if I remember correctly.

He's still young though, so he can defenately improve his game.

I've saw two games of Pedro Correia, to be honest, he could have taken Nelson's place in the first team from what i've saw, but then again, who couldn't?

He seems a decent player, decent pace, decent technique, plays with both feet and has good crossing, but like i said i have only watched two games of him.

He seems pretty weak physically tho, but i don't think Benfica would sell him, at most loan him, since he's still young, and could develop into a good player.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

http://pftv.videos.sapo.pt/jPfcFYSgMazoacWYrJMH

(H)

http://pftv.videos.sapo.pt/jPfcFYSgMazoacWYrJMH

(H)

Ahahah (H)

Ricardo Araújo Perreira rulz :mrpimp:

I actually see nothing wrong with the shirt being pink, hey Juve have used it before :p

Still, the best away kit for me would the white one, like the centenario away.

Can someone tell me something about Tiago Gomes which Zagłębie loaned from Befica?

yes. he totally sucks.

Can someone tell me something about Tiago Gomes which Zagłębie loaned from Befica?

From what i've saw, and that was to little, he's pretty fast, pretty agressive and pretty dumb.

He's small, and has good crossing, an eternal prospect for the future, probably even when he turns out 30.

----------------------------------------------------------------

guys, Bergessio and Sretenovic confirmed, the team looks balanced with good players for every positions, which solution do you think it's the best for the first 11?

Here's what i think:

Quim

Zoro -- Luisão -- D.Luiz -- Léo

Petit

Katsouranis -- M. Fernandes

Simão

Bergessio -- Cardozo

I pretty much agree with that formation.

Though if Nélson is in better conditions physically and psychologically than he was last season I would start him. I believe he's gonna step up to it now that he has someone fighting for his place. If that doesn't happen then by all means play Zoro.

Also, in some games we may want a more attacking or defending full back, so I guess FS can switch more often (btw I really hope that he does rotate players now that we have a more balanced squad in terms of quality, so that the usual starters can get some rest).

I would play Nuno Gomes alongside with Cardozo, I believe he could compliment him well. Of course, if he's on form. Similar situation to Nélson's.


I'm happy with the squad. We finally have some quality alternatives. :sun:

who the **** is Sretenovic

From what i've saw, and that was to little, he's pretty fast, pretty agressive and pretty dumb.



Thank you very much (Y)

who the **** is Sretenovic

Never watched him play, but what I know from the press is that he's a promissing serbian player, young CB (22 years old), strong (1,91m and 87kg) who they say is good at marking and he's reasonably fast for his height, so he can also play in a 3 defenders tactic as RB if needed.

That's what Drulovic said in "A Bola" anyway, we'll have to check it ourselves. :mexican:

-------------------------------------

On other news, with Karagounis leaving and reports suggesting Miccoli is close to sign with Palermo Fernando Santos wants another box-to-box midfielder and another forward.

There was another OPA, this time from a chinese investment group.

I much rather accept Berardo's proposal, at least he's a benfiquista and has credebility, I have no idea who the hell are the other guys. And honestely, Berardo doesn't need this whilst that other chinese group don't want to help the club, I don't think they care about Benfica, they just want to be known internationally.

Well, I hope LFV and the SAD tell them not to count with us for that.

Benficaaa!!!!!

:)

Apparently Butt is already in Lisbon, few details missing for him to sign with us, good signing i guess, never really followed his career except for the Champions League campaign that Bayer made a few years ago going to the final and losing with a phenomenal goal of the legend Zizou.

Maybe smoove can give us some info on him, i know he lost a starting spot on the team to Adler or something, but i heard this one is a very hot prospect, and since he had a release clause on his contract that would allow him to leave if he hadn't a number of matches as a starter he broken his contract.

Rumours say we are also interested in a Portuguese Right Back (Sporttv), my guess is Luís Filipe from Braga.

In Italy they say we are interested in Valerij Bojinov, don't believe in that, first because we have already made our big investment of the year with Cardozo, second because Striker/Forward isn't a priority.

After Butt, probably a midfielder and a right back, my guess to the the midfield position is:

Rochemback or Edgar Barreto...

Let's wait and see, but man, props to LFV and Vieira, this "defeso" was very well planed, and we have a very competitive squad.

Butt has confirmed the deal.

He won't commit any blunders nor cause trouble outside the pitch and is experienced but he's not good enough to be the starting goalie on a CL team in my opinion. Don't expect him to make any exceptional saves, he's no Enke.

he wont be a starter anyways

he wont be a starter anyways

wouldn't be so shure about that, since he left his previous club because he didn't had enough playing time... I'm almost 100% shure that Benfica gave him a starting role on the team, he's gonna be a starter...

Hendrik, thank you, must be better than our current keepers though. Enke, oh i miss him, he's amazing.

Tacuaraaaaaa! :lui:

he really seems to be very good...

he really seems to be very good...

I gotta say I was quite impressed with his game, in Paraguai we couldn't see much since their team was playing in a ultra defensive style, which clearly doesn't benefit his type of game, it's better for fast and mobile players.

Today we played in an attacking style, he wins balls in the air, ffs, I don't remember seeing a forward in Benfica doing it, except for Karadas who always did it on foul, and he doesn't ask to shot, and he's shot is incredibly strong, looking forward to see some more games of him.

The Freddy Adu rumor is getting pretty strong, would be great to have him with us.

Also, Mauricio Isla, Chile U-20 player, is apparently close to sign with us.

simao maybe will leave benfica

So, Di Maria and Andrés Diáz are Benfica players according to the official Rosario Central website, so these are official.

From what I read Andrés Diáz can play on right side, as a midfielder and also as sideback.

But still some newspapers say Belleti is near to sign and the same with Freddy Adu (for apparently 1,5 M €?)

Belletti would be amazing!

And if he comes, to be honest, i don't think we need anyone else.

So Adu is coming, his mom and agent have a flight to Lisbon tonite , and Adu on Sunday

Hi guys.. your idol/hero whatsoever have leaved you. hahah

http://bildr.no/image/89199.jpeg

Love this pic, do you?

your a fag, you guys still wont finish in the top 5

Thank you.

LOL aren't you from Norway?....

Hi guys.. your idol/hero whatsoever have leaved you. hahah

http://bildr.no/image/89199.jpeg

Love this pic, do you?

What's your point anyway?

What's your intention with that quote? To provoke us? May I know why?

I would like to say I wish Simão best luck, and consequently best of luck also to Atlético, although I believe he could've chosen another club with other ambitions, but it's the chance of a life (financially talking).

simão surely deserved a better club but... money spoke higher
i'm anxious to see di maria and adu
both are almost unknown to me, i've only seen them play a few minutes but i hope they can make his forget "o capitão", although that's very difficult

simão surely deserved a better club but... money spoke higher
i'm anxious to see di maria and adu
both are almost unknown to me, i've only seen them play a few minutes but i hope they can make his forget "o capitão", although that's very difficult

Well, when Simão got here we never thought he would have such a big impact on the team, so, maybe we will have a surprise...

But i don't believe, that neither Dí María nor Adu will have instant impact, and make us forget about Simão, at least not soon, Simão was just incredible, the captain, the guy that scored goals, that made assists, that took all free-kicks, that scored on important matches, the guy that when we were playing bad we always used to say "Maybe Simão will solve it", and he always did.

We gotta be patient with these young players we bought, and don't have to much big expectations on them.

Hi guys.. your idol/hero whatsoever have leaved you. hahah

http://bildr.no/image/89199.jpeg

Love this pic, do you?

**** you and "your" lousy million dollar splashing,mid-table joke of a club, fanboy.

trapattoni said it all "graças a deus temos simão"
now that doesn't apply and we are surely weaker
but at least year we have an improved m.fernandes. i think he'll be of great importance this season. he doesn't play in simão's position but he'll be very important in the midfield
we've also boutgh coentrão, who seems to have potential
all we can do is wait and wish that these young players develop like simão did and help benfica became stronger and stronger

ps: Hepoas, wtf was that post ??
at least write correctly....

So, Luís Filipe is the right back, i like him, not great, but i like him.

Luizão is also linked with us, in a possible trade with Anderson.

Luizao has already signed for some Swiss team (?) last week. It was made official by Cruzeiro when the stated that Porto didnt get him cuz we wanted a loan. portuguese journalism at its finest lol

hey it seems that Luizao will come

in Record:

"Léo pediu aos responsáveis do Benfica para o deixarem sair imediatamente da Luz e durante o dia de ontem os advogados do lateral brasileiro estiveram no Estádio da Luz na tentativa de acertarem a rescisão contratual do camisola 5 benfiquista."

in O Jogo:

Léo: “Trata-se de uma inverdade grotesca…”
O termo é do jogador benfiquista em conferência de imprensa logo após o treino matinal de hoje do Benfica no Seixal. Léo, sem nunca referir o órgão de comunicação social a quem as suas palavras eram dirigidas veio aclarar a sua situação no clube da Luz: “Não culpo o jornalista, nem o seu jornal, mas a notícia que publicam a meu respeito é falsa. Trata-se de uma inverdade grotesca… Usaram a minha mãe e isso não está correcto… Tinham que procurar informar-se primeiro e só depois é que deviam ter escrito…”. Léo referia-se ao seu possível regresso ao Brasil e à notícia que apontava inclusive para a existência de negociações do seu empresário com o presidente do Benfica, Luís Filipe Vieira, no sentido de ele próprio comprar o seu passe para se libertar do grémio “encarnado”. A este respeito Léo confirmou de facto a existência da reunião “mas para tratar da sua permanência no Benfica…”.


Record :rockman:

Manuel Fernandes sold to Everton.

We will receive 9M.


http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/1289/wdiagvr6.jpg

LFV, vai gozar com o caralho...

****, good money but still we needed him this year for our midfield, ****

that's not what it says on the Benfica site, getting the other 50% of his rights is also being considered.
guess it's up to the player...

that's not what it says on the Benfica site, getting the other 50% of his rights is also being considered.
guess it's up to the player...

Throwing sand to our eyes i believe...

And no way 9 Millions (+6 for the 50% we sold earlier) is good money for a player like Fernandes, he has the potential to become one of the world greatest.

If we really wanted him we would've got him earlier, we had plenty of chances, the cláusula it's ridiculous, it was more than predictable that an intelligent club would pick him, like Everton did.

We should've done like Porto with Lucho, buy the 50% that aren't ours, and make his cláusula higher, 16M for Fernandes? You gotta be ******* kidding me, they should quit the lies already. Simão would only leave for 25M also, according to LFV words, but then he leaves for 20, now this...

If at first i though the pre-season was being well planed, now it's a completely mess up.

LFV: Calado és poeta...

yea especailly so close to the season starting!

FS doesn't have "hands" on the players. And LFV is being a pathetic moron. First he said Simão would only leave for 25 € and now he says M. Fernandes won't leave, and look what happened. This is just unacceptable.

This whole season is a mess already you're right. Veiga leaving the club too all of a sudden, even if I didn't like him, he was important to protect the players and negotiate.

And of course now we can see Berardo's opa was planned all along with some other people. To help Benfica? I think not.

wtf?! Fernandes for 9 mil?! What is the deal here. The guy is bloody fantastic! Very fast, great shot, great technique...OMG he is throwing his career away by going to Everton. He can do ALOT better :( I hate it when great players (or potential superstars) go to average clubs! Its a shame :(

9 mil would be for 50% of his pass. And I agree he could do a lot better than Everton.. Players these days are mostly a bunch of mercenaries with no respect for the clubs that pay them.

Hi guys I have a question for the portuguese here.

It seems that Ajax is about to sign Joao Moutinho from Sporting, is he any good since they call him a Portuguese Supertalent?
He and Ajax discussed the terms already, we are gunning for Motta as well from Barca but many clubs are and Ajax wants to see how that develops first.
If we can't get Motta we get Moutinho. There is already an agreement with him by mouth not yet on paper.
So anyone? Is he any good and will he be able to replace Edgar Davids for the time being and after Edgar ends his career??
Most important will he strengthen our midfield because we lost Wesley Sneijder yesterday to Real Madrid?

Thanks :)

shouldn't you have posted that in the Portuguese Liga thread? :p

anyway, Moutinho really is a great player and will be a good substitute for either Davids or Sneijder since he can play in any position of the midfield.

the portuguese press doesn't mention anything about this though...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=452829&cc=5901

Let's hope he gets on the field too (Y)

Moutinho is a very good player, but i doubt Sporting would sell him anyway.

If i had to compare him to someone that would be Fabregas... But in a worse level, i mean, he's nothing special, at least to me, but good, specially a good team player. He is good at everything, but everything in a medium level.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=452829&cc=5901

Let's hope he gets on the field too (Y)


I'm really anxious to see him play, i really am. He looks so enthusiastic with everything. Really liking his speech so far.

Moutinho is a very good player, but i doubt Sporting would sell him anyway.

sure they would sell him, they sell everything that moves, and for a bargain :) Moutinho is Sporting's 2nd youngest captain ever, guess that explains how they feel for him. But still no news on this in the portuguese press.

sure they would sell him, they sell everything that moves, and for a bargain :) Moutinho is Sporting's 2nd youngest captain ever, guess that explains how they feel for him. But still no news on this in the portuguese press.

We can't talk much mate, unfortunately... :(

Moutinho is a very good player, but i doubt Sporting would sell him anyway.

If i had to compare him to someone that would be Fabregas... But in a worse level, i mean, he's nothing special, at least to me, but good, specially a good team player. He is good at everything, but everything in a medium level.




I'm really anxious to see him play, i really am. He looks so enthusiastic with everything. Really liking his speech so far.

Well like i said yesterday it seems that Ajax already reached a verbal agreement with Moutinho so this means that Sporting is prepared to let him go.
Motta is no go according to Ajax today but now Riera is in the picture and it goes on and on....let's just wait and see what happens thanks guys (Y)

Silencer, João Moutinho is fantastic team-player, that's why the best teams in Europe (Barcelona, Inter, Arsenal...) are watching him.
Sporting's strategy is keeping its best players as long as possible, so, unless, first) someone pays the buyout clause, that is 30 million euros, and second) he wants to, Moutinho won't go to Ajax.

Im still not over the Fernandes thing :( He was my favourite player of the Portugese u-21 team. He is freakin amazing! He and Moutinho are IMO the best Portugal has atm. (with Nani and Veloso(!)). Is it actually 100% sure he leaves?! Because I just thought that they would prepare a bid!

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=381890

He should stay at Benfica!! ;)

im guessing hes going to a lower club like Everton first so he can adapt to the EPL and prove what he can do in a higher league with playing time week in week out before moving to a big club, still sucks he was my favourite player 2 seasons ago

Fernandes choose to go to Everton, first because of money.

Second, because he don't give a sh*t about Benfica.

Third, because he want to play in a better league.

He have been there last year and haven't had any problems adapting, so that helped him to choose to go there also.

He would probably be doing better by staying, playing in Champions League and actually prove his value for a whole season, in the end he would be leaving to a club like United or Liverpool, but... Whatever, it's his choice, i'm just pissed Benfica could have kept him, but i guess they wanted to sell him.

He would probably be doing better by staying, playing in Champions League and actually prove his value for a whole season, in the end he would be leaving to a club like United or Liverpool, but...

He has more chances of going to one of those clubs playing in a middle-table EPL team, where the exposure is much bigger, than in a top portuguese team, IMO.

He has more chances of going to one of those clubs playing in a middle-table EPL team, where the exposure is much bigger, than in a top portuguese team, IMO.

Not if we make a good campaign in the CL.

Also, here he would always have a starting spot, he would certainly develop into a better player.

We are so ****ed up with this Santolas, really, what a ******* horrible game! :|

I'm predicting the usual with this idiot, a bad start, good games in the middle of the season, and a bad finish.

If only we had lost today, I don't want Benfica to lose but I'm guessing that's the only way to get rid of the guy.

Also what's with fielding injured players again? :|

It seems it's all the same as last season, worse maybe in that department. Clearly Luisão and Cardozo weren't fit to play. Cardozo was barely walking the second half.. Wth are they doing? Want another Mantorras?

If only we had lost today, I don't want Benfica to lose but I'm guessing that's the only way to get rid of the guy.

Also what's with fielding injured players again? :|

It seems it's all the same as last season, worse maybe in that department. Clearly Luisão and Cardozo weren't fit to play. Cardozo was barely walking the second half.. Wth are they doing? Want another Mantorras?

Honestly, i don't know... i don't, i wish i did, but...

EDIT: On the other hand, Rui, i love you! :Bow:

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070814/capt.34fa8d5a980245629654aaee03ec0b47.portugal_soc cer_champions_league_xsg109.jpg

How did Contrao and Adu play?

How did Contrao and Adu play?

Coentrão couldn't stop diving...

Adu haven't played really well, he was kinda lost, clearly needs more time to adapt to the team.

Coentrão couldn't stop diving...

.

****! i knew that was gonna happen stupid idiot

Coentrão couldn't stop diving...

Adu haven't played really well, he was kinda lost, clearly needs more time to adapt to the team.

Did his teammates play him much or did he have to run around like a blind goat for it?

i'm sorry to all of those who don't understando portuguese but i don't want to translate it all

jogo mediocre, o benfica jogou tão mal ou até pior do que o porto e o sporting na supertaça
tal como o elidius disse o maestro voltou a demonstrar mais uma vez que os Berardos deste país têm muito que aprender
tanta gente que duvida do valor do rui costa.... eu acho inacreditavel que existam duvidas em relação ao melhor jogador do benfica e o melhor a jogar em portugal. e agora voçês dissem " e o quaresma ?"- são gostos. para mim nenhum jogador em portugal se aproxima da classe e da genialidade do maestro. fico muito contente por ele fazer mais esta época no benfica. é uma honra ver este jogador jogar com o amor à camisola, um dos poucos hoje em dia....

agora em relação ao jogo:
quim: não teve quase nada para fazer no jogo todo, não há grande coisa a dizer
luis filipe: ainda jogou a medo, ainda não tem a confiança necessário, mas mesmo assim preferi-o ao nelson
léo: nunca joga mal, mas hoje não esteve tão bem quanto noutros jogos
david luiz: tem que controlar a sua agressividade. podia e devia ter sido expulso
luisão: esteve mal talvez por causa da lesão ou talvez o jogo lhe tenha corrido mal
petit: ainda está mal fisicamente.
katsouranis: mal fisicamente, jogou melhor quando a central do que a médio
n. assis: muitas simulações, quase nada lhe saiu bem
rui costa: acho que já disse tudo sobre ele antes
bergessio: começo a ficar preocupado com este jogador. já fez vários jogos e ainda não vi nada. corre, luta mas futebol ainda não vi
cardozo: mesmo jogando lesionado dá para ver a sua qualidade. vai ser muito util
coentrão: tem grande potencial mas já mete nojo, passa mais tempo no chão do que a jogar. tem que mudar e rapidamente
adu: ainda está muito verde. a cultura futebolistica que ele traz dos EUA é muito diferente da nossa. tem ainda muito mas muito que aprender até que possa jogar
n.gomes - não teve tempo de intervir no jogo

arbitragem- mediocre

em relação à eliminatória, não tenho grandes duvidas que o benfica vai passar
o copenhaga continua uma equipa sem grandes soluções e mesmo jogando contra um benfica mediocre perdeu. no jogo da 2ª mão o benfica vai jogar melhor, até porque piorar era muito dificil, já vai estar com mais ritmo e entrosamento depois do jogo contra o leixões

Did his teammates play him much or did he have to run around like a blind goat for it?

haha, actually they did.

problem was he was holding the ball to much.

i mean, it's understandable, a 18 years old kid, comes to a different country, needs to adapt to a different club, needs to learn a new language, different mentality, different type of play, and most important of all, his team played like crap, his coach his absolute crap, and he entered after Copenhagen scored their goal, at 30 minutes of the first half, with just a couple of trainings, and the fans, well, they kinda excepted him to be the saviour...

He clearly needs more time, no rushes...

PS: Capela, agree with everything you said!

PS2:

"A qualidade do Rui Costa fez a diferença. Os seus passes foram muito bons, bons até demais para os seus colegas. Mostrou ser mais inteligente que eles, marcou dois golos e foi o homem do jogo", afirmou o técnico dinamarquês.

haha, actually they did.

problem was he was holding the ball to much.



Well that's good, it means they actually have trust in him. I hope he improves from game to game. Keep us yanks posted.

this is brilliant:
http://www.slbenfica.pt/Informacao/Futebol/Plantel/fichajogador.asp?idEpoca=355&idCompeticao=34&idJogador=27691

Nice new site, congratulations.

Cool look indeed (Y)

i was not talking about the site although it looks nice
i was talking about adu's picture which is his face in pes6
and with man utd's kit on....

What a ******* piss poor excuse of a coach that moron is, really, i can't stand that "coitadinho" look on his face any more, i would definitely punch him in the face if he was in front of me, i'm not joking, ******* idiot.

calm down
he's not a brilliant coach but it's not all his fault
benfica had a great squad in the beginnig of the season and it was taken away from f.santos
his plans were screwed by the sells of simão e fernandes, those were two players who would clearly be "titulares indiscutiveis"
and we've got lots of new young players who need time to adapt to the club and portuguese championship
there still players to come and we'll get getter, because getting worse is almost impossible
and there still some injured players
there's much work to be done and we have to patient

Did you see how we couldn't articulate a play? And FS sitting on the bench watching the game as if there's nothing he can do.. I'm not gonna say it's all his fault but he's clearly not a coach for us.

We don't have time if we are to want to be champions we need to win now. Porto and Sporting are already ahead of us. Jesus even a 2nd division team like Leixões makes Benfica look like ****. Against that type of team, their players earn like 1/10 of what ours do, we should be able to beat them. That is, if the whole team isn't actually standing still, waiting for a miracle to happen. Things must've been planned and organised and yes that's LFV fault too.

The new players that we are yet to see regardless of the season already started, they better be good we had at least 30 Mil € profit from the transfers we made (Simão, M. Fernandes, other players).

About the injuries that's another problem to come up every single year is it not? Coincidence? Why does it always happen in Benfica every year of late? Especially the muscular ones.. Something's wrong in the training method or else Mestre Alves (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ2xE0fP1qQ) is right :(

Capela, there's no time to calm down...

Last year i wasn't this upset when we were completely humilliated in the first game against Boavista at Bessa, because i was kinda blind, i wanted to be, i didn't wanted to see what i was about to see sooner or later, that he's a mediocre coach! But last year he still had some excuses, adapt the team to a tactic Benfica have never played before, completely fair point there, get to know the players, all in all, Benfica would have to adapt to FS style, that's why we had a terrible start. Still, didn't justify that terrible ending...

This year there aren't excuses! For example, against Leixões we played with 2 different players from last season, if i can recall, that were Luís Filipe and Cardozo.

Well, he can't complain about the "entrosamento" between the players, so how can you explain they didn't even made a single attack combination between them, the only ball possesion we make is between the defense and Petit... It's Petit to Katsouranis, Katsouranis to David Luiz, David Luiz to Petit, Petit to Léo, Léo to Rui Costa, and this is the only one that actually brings the game to the attack.

But i can talk about many things, last year, if Luisão didn't (unfortunately) got injured, we probably wouldn't have David Luiz in the squad right now, you know it... Who knows if it's not happening the same with Andrés Díaz, maybe he's also a good player, his original position is right midfielder, still, he prefered to put Luís Filipe on that position :| How f*cked up is that to the player that's on the bench? With what motivation will he enter (if he ever does) on a match? Knowing that the coach doesn't trust him a single bit?

I know that if he continues, after a terrible start we will probably start playing very well, like we did last year, which will give him an O2 balloon, in the end the players will be down phisically, mainly because he doesn't rotate the team. So we make a good start, a terrible end, and that makes us lose all the competitons we are involved at. Exactly like it happened last year.

Let's face it, the man is a disgrace, he can't motivate anyone, hell, even his face isn't inspiring, i miss Camacho's "berros" to the field, we need a Scolari type of coach... Someone who actually motivates them, not the contrary ffs... It's almost painful to watch this guy on the bench, i can't stand him anymore...

And don't ask me to be calm when i see our club going down again for the exact same mistakes of last year! And of course he is not the main guilty of this situation, the man who put him there is! I pay "cotas", some months i spend most of my budget to actually go to Lisbon, i buy merchandising, i won't stand this crap anymore...

And what is bothering me the most is LFV and his demagogue speech, best team of the last 10 years, Simão will only leave for 25M€ (yeah right), M.Fernandes won't leave, Apito Dourado this, Apito Dourado that, buy kits, biggest club of the world, bla bla, bla bla, listen and shut up, don't ever complain about everything, it's his politic. Still forgetting what matters the most for the fans, wins on field! Thank you very much for the financial recovery, but he won't getting my vote in the next elections if he continue doing this stupid mistakes...

PS: Sorry for the long post...

According to TSF and RR, FS will not train this afternoon already :lui::lui::lui::rockman::rockman::fluffy::jacko:

http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/noticia.php?id=844596&div_id=1456

i think that now it's kind of late to change the coach
if we are to change we should have done it before
the new coach will have very little time to prepare the team for the next game and he probably won't know most of the players

i think that now it's kind of late to change the coach
if we are to change we should have done it before
the new coach will have very little time to prepare the team for the next game and he probably won't know most of the players

i agree it's late, but "antes tarde do que nunca" :D

if camacho is the new coach everyone will see him as a D.Sebastião
hopes will probably very high and i don't know if he will be able to respond to those expectations right away

http://i9.tinypic.com/6he06k9.jpg

OH YES!

Now, we will see someone giving youths a chance.

Now, we will see someone actually giving instructions during the game.

Now, we will see the players motivated.

Now, we will see order in transfers.

CAMACHO! :clapwap:

Wow, this is great!! I really like Camacho!

But I do feel bad for FS. I know I criticized him and all but it's always bad when you fire a coach after the season begins, it really should've been in the ending of last season so that Camacho could do the pre-season with team. In that sense, even though FS is a coach I dislike he was kinda "burned" this season.


And this is just part of the problem, next thing should be LFV resigning.

I found this in a blog I think it's funny and I agree with it:

Para ser lido tipo Gato Fedorento a imitar Marcelo.
- A saída de Fernando santos é boa para o clube?
-É.
-Mas não resolve tudo.
-Não.
-Mas é bom que ele saia?
-É.
-Mas bom mesmo era que se resolvesse aquela balbúrdia de uma vez?
-Era.
-Mas quem devia resolver vai só mudar de treinador?
-Vai.
-E se vier o Conceiro?
-Hein?
-Ok, e se vier...o Camacho?
-Menos mal.
-Mas não resolve?
-Não.

por P(edro Ribeiro)

Yeah, that blog is amazing!

Honestly, i don't think we can win the championship this season, i mean, it's great to have Camacho, but he lost a whole pre-season to prepare the team, specially when the team is used to the 4-4-2 losango, when he plays 4-4-2 with wingers, also he probably doesn't have the players he want, and the season is beginning, it's hard to buy any player now.

Anyway, Camacho is the right man imo, i hope LFV gives him more than 2 years of contract, hope that he stays and start building something, that mentality that he bring when he first came here.

This guy is awesome. I like his position during the match when his hand hangs on roof's bench and it looks like he'd be in the tram.

Anyway it's pretty weird that you got rid of your coach after one game played in the league and in qualifications. But surely you know what you're doing.(Y)

This guy is awesome. I like his position during the match when his hand hangs on roof's bench and it looks like he'd be in the tram.

Haha, yes, i kinda missed that :D

Anyway it's pretty weird that you got rid of your coach after one game played in the league and in qualifications. But surely you know what you're doing.(Y)

I wouldn't be so sure of that, i mean, this was a good decision, but it should've been taken way before now! Sometimes our president really doesn't seem to know what he's doing...

Yeah, that blog is amazing!

Honestly, i don't think we can win the championship this season, i mean, it's great to have Camacho, but he lost a whole pre-season to prepare the team, specially when the team is used to the 4-4-2 losango, when he plays 4-4-2 with wingers, also he probably doesn't have the players he want, and the season is beginning, it's hard to buy any player now.

Anyway, Camacho is the right man imo, i hope LFV gives him more than 2 years of contract, hope that he stays and start building something, that mentality that he bring when he first came here.

i agree with all of it
i think this season is already lost, but we must have hope on the new coach
if it's camacho he's got 2 options: or he chooses 2 wingers to be bought or he'll have to play in 4x4x2 diamond
and the most important thing is that he stays longer than before so he can build a squad of his own choice and that's acts the way he wants

Thank god, one of my happiest days as a benfica supporter that FS is gone! i think it was a bit late because i dont know if Camacho has enough time to buy the players he wants at all but like you said better late then never

Gilles convinced Camacho and will stay on the team, considering some apreciations on the guy on yesterday training he's amazing!

We are also interested in Oubiña, apparently we already have an agreement with the player and with the value of transfer, only missing the way of the payment, 10M€ a pronto, ou em prestações...

He's like Iniesta, in the style of play... According to some opinions.

Manuel Fernandes might come back

even if he could return and don't want him
he's a fantastic player but he's a traitor and a bastard who only cares about money

Anyone can tell me something about Sreten Sretenović? Zagłębie just loaned him from Benfica.

We bought him as a replacement for Luisão or David Luiz when needed, but he never actually played an official match. I don't understand why we bought him to later by dismissed by Fernando Santos. However now with Camacho he was loaned, don't know if that was already decided or it was his decision.

I watched very few of him, only some minutes in a pre-season match, can't really make a decent opinion. Though, if he is loaned he is believed to have some potential and may become a solid player in the future.

Thanks a lot Tiago for the quick reply. I hope he'll play well in Polish league.(Y)

Tiago, the explanation to this transfer is simple... Comissões!

Now with Camacho that will end, btw, Anthony, Sreten looks like a monster, physically...

Yeah, he does :D

http://www.zaglebie-lubin.pl/www/upload/sreten1_rezise.jpg

For how long is that deal between Benfica and Zagłębie with loaning/exchanging players? Or it's just for on the undefined time?

Rui why might Manuel come back?

Rui why might Manuel come back?

Everton bought 50% of Manuel Fernandes rights, the other 50% belong to an investment fund. In England a player can't be under that conditions, the team has to have 100% of the players rights... So, if they want him, they will have to pay more 9M€ to the investment fund, besides the 9M€ the payed us, and apparently, the transfer isn't done yet because Everton doesn't have that money, so that's why he might come back.

If he does, i hope we loan him out to Casa Pia or Olivais e Moscavide...

Tiago, the explanation to this transfer is simple... Comissões!

Now with Camacho that will end, btw, Anthony, Sreten looks like a monster, physically...

Guess you're right, it's sad but true.

Yeah, Camacho did say he'd go for quality over quantity and that he'll choose only a few players.

And he doesn't count with Manú and Yu Dabao according to A Bola. They were not called up for tomorrow's match.

There is news in Romania that Benfica are willing to offer 5 million euros for Nicolae Dica. First of all he's an excellent player and you would be lucky to have him, second of all he's not going for less than 8 million, at least according to our owner who is very strict when it comes to selling players. I REALLY hope you guys don't want him THAT bad because he pretty much IS Steaua at the moment.

AscyacSMT5c

Apparently Camacho was in the stands for the Romania vs. Turkey match on Wednesday and saw him. Dica started and scored a goal.
I REEEEEEALY HOPE THIS IS A RUMOR.

:| Dica went to Benfica for 8mil in my last FM game.

if it's really true, Benfica would be the kind of club I'd like to see Dica go to. (Y)

What's his position? How old and what kind of player is he?

Also, can you provide me the link that talks about it?

Thanks.

What's his position? How old and what kind of player is he?

He plays right behind the strikers but has an amazing knack to score goals. He already has four for us this season (had 15 last year playing only half the season, he went down with a bad knee injury and was out the rest of the year which is why we didn't win anything pretty much :(). He isn't the fastest player in the world but he makes up for it with his technical ability and passing. His free kicks are deadly, I've seen him score more then I've seen him miss, or at least it seems that way.

Theo, I don't want him to go to any kind of club, I want him to stay at Steaua :(

He's 27 years old, here's more info on him from wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolae_Dic%C4%83

Since he's been at Steaua he's scored 48 goals in 99 matches in the league and 62 goals in 141 matches overall, amazing for an offensive mid. He also has 3 goals for Romania in 18 caps and he's been a regular starter for a while now.

Here's the link, it's in Romanian though http://gsp.ro/Steaua/Benfica-ofera-5-milioane-de-euro-pe-Nicolae-Dica.html?a=3147/66128

He plays right behind the strikers but has an amazing knack to score goals. He already has four for us this season (had 15 last year playing only half the season, he went down with a bad knee injury and was out the rest of the year which is why we didn't win anything pretty much :(). He isn't the fastest player in the world but he makes up for it with his technical ability and passing. His free kicks are deadly, I've seen him score more then I've seen him miss, or at least it seems that way.

Theo, I don't want him to go to any kind of club, I want him to stay at Steaua :(

He's 27 years old, here's more info on him from wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolae_Dic%C4%83

Thank you, he does seem like a great player judging from that description, and also judging on your reaction of a possible move out of Steaua!

Thank you, he does seem like a great player judging from that description, and also judging on your reaction of a possible move out of Steaua!

I'm surprised you haven't heard of him really. He scored four spectacular goals last year in the group stages of the CL (two at Kyiv, one at Lyon, and one at home against Kyiv).

I'm surprised you haven't heard of him really. He scored four spectacular goals last year in the group stages of the CL (two at Kyiv, one at Lyon, and one at home against Kyiv).

Besides Benfica i'm not watching much football lately, don't have much time :(

I mean, i heard of him, never knew what kind of player he was tho...

YIe5CrHJWOg

Impressive!

EDIT: Just knew he already played on the pre to Champions, that might turn down an eventual interest of Benfica... :(

Besides Benfica i'm not watching much football lately, don't have much time :(

I mean, i heard of him, never knew what kind of player he was tho...

YIe5CrHJWOg

Impressive!

EDIT: Just knew he already played on the pre to Champions, that might turn down an eventual interest of Benfica... :(

ahhh yesss didn't think of that (H)(Y)

he seems to be a great player but benfica is not a rich club and we've already spent a lot of money this season so i don't think he'll come
and also he has played in the champions league so i really don't see this transfer happening

Good game we made today, specially in the second half...

Cardozo with two goals :D, Rei Costa with a marvellous goal, and good exhibitions of Katsouranis, Maxi Pereira AND ....

Dí María!

Rodríguez also entered pretty well in the game.

What a(nother) amazing goal by Rei Costa :clapwap:

And Di Maria, this guy has the potential to become worldclass. (Y)

bad 1st half. the 2nd half was much better but we still need to improve a lot
the best players of the game, in my opinion, were katsourains, petit, rui costa, di maria and cardozo
- katsouranis- he was the leader of the defense and was always in the right spot. he's not a fast player but i makes up for that but having a great tactical knowledge and being able to be in the right place at the right time
- petit - this guy is a beast. when he's i a good shape there's no player like him. he ran miles, recovered a lot of balls and started many attacks
- rui costa - the best benfca player. once again he showed his class and a great physical condition for a player of his age. scored a fantastic goal and made the team play. absolute class
- di maría - great buy. he's very very fast, isn't afraid to dribble past the defenders, has great tecnhique and showed some very interesting details. but he still has to work on his passing timing and has to gain "entrosamento" with his team mates
- cardozo - other great buy. he might seem clumsy and slow but i think he's a fantastic player. still not in his best physical shape but won a lot of balls int the air, made pressure and scored 2 goals. i'm sure he's relieved to score his 1st official goal and now he'll play better

this pause in the superliga will be good for us cause now players will have time to better understand camacho's phyloshopy, gain "entrosamento", and probably to recover some injured players

in the end of the match, rui costa was brilliant again. "Temos de pensar é em ser Benfica. Fernando Santos fez tudo para que esta equipa andasse para a frente. Infelizmente, isso não aconteceu, não conseguimos bons resultados, e ele pagou pelos erros". he knows benfica's playing bad wasn't only santos fault and he assumes the fault, even when he's been benfica's best player. again, absolute class

ps: alguém sabe como se diz entrosamento em inglês ?

intermeshingm, translated on google :p

thanks mate
actually it's intermeshing but i doesn't even look like a word now does it?
i think i'll just keep writing the good old "entrosamento"

yeah, it does look weird, i'll keep the entrosamento too (H)

well you can also use words like "cohesiveness" or "chemistry". Also means the same thing

"Mantorras perdeu mais dois anos da sua carreira”. A frase é do recuperador físico e fisioterapeuta catalão, Emili Ricart, membro da equipa de trabalho do médico Ramón Cugat e responsável pela recuperação de Mantorras nas montanhas de Terraza, arredores de Barcelona. Sem nunca referir o nome do cinesioterapeuta Rodolfo Moura, que deixou o Benfica no início da época, Emili Ricart disse ao CM que “a pessoa que ficou encarregada de pôr em prática o plano de recuperação fez tábua rasa das indicações que lhe foram dadas” e por isso Mantorras perdeu dois anos.

Link (http://www.correiodamanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=256806&idselect=213&idCanal=213&p=200)

Also, why did David Luiz had to wait 2 weeks for the surgery when it was diagnosed in the 22nd of August?

Years pass, specialists change, but mistakes are the same as always...

:kader::kader::kader:

of course most of the fault is probably of the medic teams
but benfica's also had a lot of back luck in these last years regarding injuries
add bad luck to incompetence and you've got benfica's medical state

o benfica começou mal o jogo e acabou pior. no entanto entre os 20 e os 70 minutos fizemos um grande jogo e merecemos completamente a vitória

Quim - fantástico, defendeu tudo o que havia para defender. está em grande forma
Luis Filipe - fez um bom jogo, correu quilómetros. está mais confiante que ao principio e as coisas começam a sair-lhe melhor. espero que continue a melhorar e a jogar a titular
Edcarlos - não interviu muito no jogo mas esteve seguro, não complicou
Katsouranis - grande jogo não estando na sua posição natural mas cada vez mais mostrando que é uma excelente opção para o centro da defesa
Léo - esteve intransponível, não atacou tanto como noutros jogos mas a defender foi fantástico. é o melhor lateral que já vi jogar no benfica
Petit - dominou no meio campo, recuperou muitas bolas, lutou sempre. a lesão parece-me grave e se for isso é péssimo para o benfica. ele é indiscutivel na estratégia da equipa e vai fazer muita falta
Pereira - é um jogador de equipa, muito lutador. vai ser util ao benfica
Di Maria - é um talento puro. mas precisamente por causa dessa pureza tem ainda muito que aprender. com os jogos vai ganhar experiência e ,ou muito me engano, e vai-se tornar num dos melhores jogadores do benfica
Rodriguez - sim senhor. tem habilidade, joga de forma inteligente, é rápido. parece-me que estando motivado é um excelente jogador
Nuno Gomes - finalmente conseguiu marcar um golo. há muito tempo que estava à procura deste golo para lhe dar confiança e tenho a certeza que agora será muito mais fácil ele marcar golos e não admiraria nada que nos próximos jogos ele marca golos
para o fim deixo o Rui Costa, o melhor jogador que eu já vi jogar pelo benfica. é uma honra vê-lo jogar pelo nosso clube. nem se o benfica comprasse o ronaldo, o kaká e o messi me dava tanta alegria ver o benfica jogar como tendo o maestro. acho que esta será a sua última época embora espera que ele ainda nos dê de presente mais uma época, mas mesmo que ele não voltasse a jogar pelo benfica eu já ficava muito honrado por o ter visto jogar no seu clube. marcou um dos melhores golos que vi até hoje. poucos golos me deixaram tão entusiasmado como este.
OBRIGADO MAESTRO

I agree with you Capela except for Luis Filipe. This guy hasn't done one decent game since he's a Benfica player, imo.

I do hope he improves and proves me wrong.

i think luis filipe is better than nelson
and i think that he's getting less nervous and today i think he playe well

Man, you gotta love Rui, i'm glad i went to this game dudes, that part when he started jumping, absolutely magical!

Yeah, I had never seen anything like that in a football match before. What a legend..

o que me envergonha não é a derrota mas sim a exibição, já não via o benfica jogar tão mal há muito tempo
pareciamos uma equipa de juniores ou a jogar contra seniores
o milan é umas das melhores equipas do mundo mas isso, para mim, não desculpa os erros consecutivos da equipa e do treinador
para mim o grande responsável pela exibição foi o camacho, que na minha opinião cometeu uma série de erros que ainda tornou mais dificil um jogo por si só muito complicado
- utilizar uma dupla de centrais que nunca tinha jogado junta e que era composta por 2 jogadores inexperientes que iam ter pela frente um dos avançados mais mortiferos do mundo - inzaghi
- aos 5 minutos já dava para ver que a disposição táctica não estava a funcionar nem ia funcionar. pôr o pereira a jogar ao lado do katsouranis foi para mim um erro crasso. o pereira se calhar nunca tinha jogado naquela posição e andou sempre perdido no campo. correu lutou, mas claramente aquele não é o lugar dele, pelo menos não sem estar minimamente adaptado a essa posição. andava ali a atrapalhar o katsouranis e vice-versa
- colocar o maestro tão adiantado no terreno. não tinha ninguém a dar a bola, pois apenas estavam 1 ou 2 jogadores à frente dele. ele tinha que ter jogado no meio campo, a nº8 para ter linhas de passe e usar a sua qualidade fantástica de passe.
- o di maria na direita. ele nunca tinha jogado na direita, porquê colocá-lo ali neste jogo?
- pôr o gilles num jogo destes é um bocado absurdo. um jogador que nunca jogou, nem é convocado para o campeonato e vai entrar neste jogo ? por acaso até nem entrou mal, mas acho que isto não faz sentido nenhum
- o nuno gomes, devia ter entrado para jogar atrás do cardozo e não em vez dele. assim teríamos alguém que pressionava o pirlo e não o deixava fazer o que ele quizesse com a bola que foi o que aconteceu

claro que agora é fácil criticar mas eu acho que o camacho esteve muito mal em todas as suas opções e só não saimos de lá com uma goleada por sorte e por uma grande exibição do quim, que embora no 1º golo não tenha estado bem depois fez uma série de grandes defesas e redimiu-se

What could Camacho do, honestly?

If like you say, he shouldn't use those center backs, he would have to put Katsouranis in that position, and who would he put on the middle? You don't think Maxi Pereira can do that position - me neither, even though it's one of his positions - , you don't think Binya could play, since you didn't even agreed with him playing 20 minutes - which by the way, he did pretty well -, only Romeu Ribeiro was left, to Kaká and Seedorf!

He was forced to put at least two elements on the midfield that had defensive capacities, to sustain Kaká and Seedorf offensive capacities, and that was the best he could play with, maybe next time Binya can be a good option, i've heard wonders from him.

About Di María, he played pretty well imo, so i don't see why you're complaining, a winger plays as good on the right as in the left, it's pointless what side he is playing at.

And putting Nuno Gomes with Cardozo, damn, if we were already being dominated, then that would be just giving the game to them.

Our exhibition was terrible, but only in defence, because due to so many injuries we were forced to play with inexperienced players against a team that plays along for many years, actually, i'm kinda glad with the result, yeah i know we lost, but damn, with this team i actually thought we could be humiliated. With Luisão, David Luiz, Petit, Nélson and even Zoro, things would be so much different, Katsouranis would already play in the middle and our defence wouldn't shake like they did, note i just mentioned 4 starters that are injured, and one potential starter, all of them are defensive players!

i'm not saying that it was easy choosing who would replace petit, of course it wasn't
but he's choices clearly didn't work out and he didn't change anything for the whole game
for me he didn't even had to change the team, only the player's positions:
------------quim-------------
l.filipe--edcarlos--m.vitor---leo
----katsouranis---rui costa....
pereira---di maria----rodriguez
----------cardozo------------

this way we would have di maria in pirlo's space and wouldn't give him the chance to make those fantastic long passses he did, and that caused milan's most dangerous plays
putting Nuno Gomes with Cardozo would not be giving the game to them
nuno gomes would mark pirlo and he wouldn't have all that freedom
and with maxi pereira and katsouranis "a atrapalharem-se um ao outro" we did exactly what milan wanted, which is playing slowly and letting them make those quick plays with kaka and seedorf
and di maria didn't play pretty well. he's got a lot of talent but he's very unexperienced. he always tried to dribble through the experienced milan defenders and rarely passed the ball. he ran a lot but he didn't make anything significant. and playing on the right surely didn't help. he was always "a puxar a bola para o pé esquerdo" which made him lose the dribble timing

but anyway, i think we learned how not to play against milan and we'll certainly play better next game. plus we'll have some of the injured players back so i'm confident about the next games
but i really think camacho screwed up in this game

That just doesn't make sense to me...

We could try to annul Pirlo, but then with that display, and only with Katsouranis as a defensive element on the midfield, Kaká and Seedorf would have a free ride trough our defense. And besides, i don't see much difference between Rui, Nuno or Di María when it comes to pressing someone, although it's arguable, but for instance, María main problem yesterday was that he didn't helped the defense much, so...

Milan is just from another championship, they are - for me - the best team in the world, they always make amazing campaigns on the CL, and with our problems with injuries i refuse to think that Camacho or anyone else could do any better, it was just impossible, there's no miracles.

no, with that display we would be able to have possesion of the ball and could make the most of that possession with rui costa's passes
and we would annul pirlo, the best player in the game, whose passes create very dangerous situations
and we wouldn't plat at the pace they wanted us to
but if you think camacho was right than i just have to respect your opinion

anybody have a link to Freddy's goal?

anybody have a link to Freddy's goal?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVUBt84pNI0


I think it was a good goal, not an easy move to execute.

It's his second so far in the league cup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVUBt84pNI0


I think it was a good goal, not an easy move to execute.

It's his second so far in the league cup.

Yeah a very nice first time shot with the grass to beat the keeper. If it didn't have that pace the keeper would of had it but he shot it pretty hard.

His second really? I thought this was his first goal.

lol yeah even the commentator said it was his first. His previous goal was from a penalty.

He hasn't been playing much, I hope he keeps getting some chances. Though I kind of agree with it, he needs time to adapt.

I hope he grows some as well because he's too short to make any sort of impact in world football.

So, any thoughts about today's game?

I think Binya rules (H)

And what a nice way from Camacho to show Zoro and Edcarlos that he thinks they're crap by once again fielding Katsouranis in defense.

Well, one thing's for sure if we don't win we can say goodbye to any chance of going through the 2nd round.

But I do believe we can do it.

Those John Arne Riise like throw-in's are awsome!! :rockman:

Edcarlos was injured...

Actually he was on the bench..

Yes.. but i think it was safer that way.. he was still recovering

Binya throw-in's are completely useless. We haven't created a single opportunity with them.

Great second half of Cardozo, and Maria pass is just godlike!

Benfica really have to hold on to Di Maria... i've heard rumours of a Man Utd interest... grrrr...

He scored again (Y), hopefully he'll start getting some starts soon.

Looks like you're gonna get Dica in the winter. Our owner said he would leave in the winter and it's time, the way he has played this season I don't feel too bad that he's leaving but even saying that he's still our top scorer in all competitions with 6 goals. Enjoy him, he's a great player, just pray he'll be in form or else you'll boo him off the field.

Looks like you're gonna get Dica in the winter. Our owner said he would leave in the winter and it's time, the way he has played this season I don't feel too bad that he's leaving but even saying that he's still our top scorer in all competitions with 6 goals. Enjoy him, he's a great player, just pray he'll be in form or else you'll boo him off the field.

I've just seen on the news (sporttv) that the deal with Dica is closed.

To be honest, I never watched him play. Thanks on the info though, and I do hope he'll be in form for us if he actually comes to Benfica. ;)

I've just seen on the news (sporttv) that the deal with Dica is closed.

To be honest, I never watched him play. Thanks on the info though, and I do hope he'll be in form for us if he actually comes to Benfica. ;)

He scored twice for Romania today.

Hope you're right Steaua, i believe he would really be the perfect partner to Cardozo

rui costa on the right ? WTF ????


how lucky were we in this game against académica ?
we played like crap and mainly because of camacho's ridiculous subs
if it was f.santos we would have been booed so much....
rui costa on the right ? WTF ???? Even with this absolutely bizarre option he played well. clearly not his best game but still absolute class
the game is tied and he takes off nuno gomes and puts adu in. well that's what i call ambition.....
anyway i hope we can mantain this level of luck, because otherwise, playing like this we won't go far

e esqueci-me de falar no binya
eu pensava que não poderia haver um jogador com menos técnica que o beto e mais caceteiro que o f.aguiar. enganei-me totalmente pois o binya reúne as melhores características destes 2 grandes jogadores

é um jogador que se esforça muito e dá o máximo em cada jogo ? claro que sim
é um jogador com qualidade para jogar no benfica ? claro que não
é um jogador com em todos os jogos faz mais do que uma falta para amarelo e por sorte ainda só foi expulso uma vez ? claro que sim

digam o que disserem, para mim este tipo de jogadores não faz falta nenhuma no benfica. obviamente que são precisos jogadores que trabalhadores mas claramente existem jogadores igualmente trabalhadores com muito mais qualidade que o binya

Of course Binya is crap. There's no way he should be a starter, even a part of our squad you're right. The only reason he was playing is due to the injuries, someone had to fill in that position when Petit was out. And with David Luiz also out, Katsouranis backed to the CB position, we really didn't have anyone else (Edcarlos and Zoro aren't that good either) and that's because of the bad planning of this season.

But anyway, with everyone available now I don't expect Binya to play anymore.

David Luiz had a good game as well. He's playing way better than Luisão atm, regardless of his goal tonight.

And another thing, you can see that Cardozo wasn't fit to play yet he was subbed in. Why oh why do these situations continue? Hopefully he didn't make it worse, but it's always an unnecessary risk.

Anyone see that hard foul by Binya, the Academica player looked up and started to crawl away on his hands and knees like he was afraid he was going to kill him LOL.

LOL

Well Académica players made quite some tough fouls so I guess it was even (H)

I think Binya is a very good player already, with the potential to become great, he's still young and he clearly needs to gain some maturity specially when it comes to face the opponent where he can be very agressive at times. But he can't be compared to Beto on technique imo, he has good reception and pass, and he actually plays with his head up. I think Petit is better and soon he will lose his place on the first team to him and Katsouranis, but he sure is a good option and in a few years with the retirement of Petit, that won't last forever, he will become a regular starter and he can be much better than Petit. I bet that if he played on Arsenal or Chelsea he would be considered a new African talent, as usual, but meh...

BTW, we made an offer for Chelito Delgado, that would be out of this world :D

Honestely, Bynia should've been expelled in more than 1 game so far. It's about time that someone from the coaching team tells him to stop doing those stupid tackles or he's out of team. It really should be this simple with Petit recovered. I also have to add that Bynia made some very risky passes and lost the ball in critical zones of the field that could've resulted in easy goals from the opposition. Sure, he can improve but right now we really don't need a player like that.


On another topic A Bola says this will be our line-up against Milan:

Quim, Luís Filipe, Luisão, David Luiz, Léo; Maxi Pereira, Katsouranis, Petit, Rui Costa, Rodriguez; Nuno Gomes.

Is Nélson still injured? 'Cause I, for one have had enough with Luis Filipe...

Dica's good form continued in the Romanian derby Steaua - Dinamo. He hit the cross bar and had a fantastic assist on the only goal scored.
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/Steaua+Dinamo/video/x3kohs_steauadinamo-10-goals-wwwonlinepari_news

http://www.d1g.com/photos/01/80/1568001_max.jpg


UEFA Champions League-Group D
Benfica vs AC Milan
Wednesday November
Estádio da Luz, Lisbon



SL Benfica thought they had done enough to live another day in the UEFA Champions League after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with AC Milan, only for a late goal in Glasgow to send the holders through and end the Portuguese club's chances of reaching the knockout stages.

The Eagles were still in contention when the final whistle blew at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Andrea Pirlo and Maxi Pereira having traded superb first-half goals, but the celebrations were curtailed when news filtered through that Celtic FC had scored an added-time winner against FC Shakhtar Donetsk. Benfica now need to win in Ukraine to reach the UEFA Cup next Tuesday, when Milan entertain the Scottish club requiring a point to win Group D.

Although the Benfica players had shown their determation to get their campaign back on track by huddling together before kick-off, their unity was undermined by a nervous beginning. Alberto Gilardino spurned an excellent chance in just the second minute having been picked out by Cristian Brocchi's right-wing cross. Two minutes later and Quim was forced into action by Clarence Seedorf, turning the Dutchman's shot round the post after a one-two with Gilardino.

It was of little surprise, then, when the visitors took the lead on the quarter-hour. Milan built patiently down the left, although the dynamic of the attack changed after Kaká played the ball to Pirlo and the Italy midfielder ran unchallenged before swerving a magnificent low shot into the corner or the net from distance. Pirlo was almost behind a second goal for the visitors three minutes later, Quim having to intervene after Petit nearly turned a free-kick from the Milan man into his own goal.

Their hopes still alive, Benfica hit back in the 20th minute. Rui Costa and Konstantinos Katsouranis played the ball from left to right to Pereira who showed a lovely touch to cut inside Gennaro Gattuso before arrowing a rising shot from outside the box beyond Dida via the Brazilian's post. It was real end-to-end stuff now, David Luiz denying Kaká in one area with a superb sliding challenge after a swift counterattack; Cristián Rodríguez twice going close in the other.

Kakha Kaladze then cleared a 38th-minute Pereira shot behind with Dida grounded as Benfica upped the tempo, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to introduce Paolo Maldini for Serginho at half-time. Another change quickly followed, Yoann Gourcuff replacing the injured Brocchi, and the new men were able to settle as the frenetic pace of the first period dropped.

Rui Costa, against his former club, was the most influential player of the second half, showing a full array of tricks and flicks, yet it was only in the final few minutes that the game truly reignited. Dida made a couple of nervy stops before Kaká scuffed a shot wide when unmarked after charging into the box in the final minute. The Brazilian had an equally presentable opening in added time but headed wide, although Benfica's fate would soon be sealed by events elsewhere.


http://www.d1g.com/photos/08/80/1568008_max.jpg


Match Videos:

Gillardinho misses a great chance for Milan SEE IT HERE (http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1567695)

First goal for Milan by Pirlo SEE IT HERE (http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1567729)

First goal for Benfica by Pereira SEE IT HERE (http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1567752)

Very dangerous chance for Benfica SEE IT HERE (http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1567794)

Nice skills and shoot by Rui Costa SEE IT HERE (http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1567913)

Dissallowed goal for Benfica SEE IT HERE (http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1567920)

Nice freekick played by Pirlo SEE IT HERE (http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1567922)

Benfica just signed Laszlo Sepsi from romanian club Gloria Bistrita for around 2.5mil. he's a 21-year old left back, a starter in the U-21 national team and can cover many spots.

don't think it's such a good transfer for you guys and 2mil is too much, but hey...

don't think it's such a good transfer for you guys and 2mil is too much, but hey...

:( thanks for the info anyway, Theo (Y)