S.L. Benfica [2008/2009]

[Coruja]

S.L. Benfica

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Official Website:

www.slbenfica.pt

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Full Name:
Sport Lisboa e Benfica

Nickname(s):
As Águias [ The Eagles ]
Encarnados [ The Reds ]
Glorioso [ The Glorious ]

Founded:
28 February 1904

Stadium:
Estádio da Luz ( Lisbon, Portugal)

Capacity:
65.200

Chairman:
Luís Filipe Vieira

Manager:
Quique Flores

[ 2008/2009 ]

League:
BWIN Liga [ 4th place - 2007/2008 ]

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Kits:

2008/2009

A | GK | H

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Current Squad

-1 GK - José Moreira - Age: 26
12 GK - Quim - Age: 32
31 GK - Marcelo Moretto* - Age: 30

-4 DF - Luisão - Age: 27
-5 DF - Léo - Age: 33
23 DF - David Luiz - Age: 21
28 DF - Miguel Vitor* - Age: 19
25 DF - Jorge Ribeiro - Age: 26
27 DF - Sidnei - Age: 19
14 DF - Maxi Pereira - Age: 24
17 DF - Marc Zoro - Age: 24

26 MF - Yebda - Age: 24
15 MF - Ruben Amorim - Age: 23
-8 MF - Katsouranis - Age: 29
20 MF - Di María - Age: 20
18 MF - Binya - Age: 24
13 MF - Fellipe Bastos* - Age: 18
11 MF - Javier Balboa - Age: 23
24 MF - Carlos Martins - Age: 26
10 MF - Pablo Aimar - Age: 28
-6 MF - Reyes - Age: 25

-9 FW - Mantorras - Age: 26
21 FW - Nuno Gomes - Age: 32
-7 FW - Oscar Cardozo - Age: 25
19 FW - Ariza Makukula - Age: 27
16 FW - Jonathan Urretavizcaya - Age: 18
30 FW - David Suazo - Age: 28

* : From Benfica Youth team
* : Came back from loan​

Squad changes for 2008/09 Season:

In:

Ruben Amorim - Belenenses - 1 Million
Jorge Ribeiro - Boavista .F.C - 0 cost
Hassan Yebda - Le Mans - 0 cost
Javier Balboa - Real Madrid - € 4 Million
Carlos Martins - Recreativo de Huelva - € 3 Million
Jonathan Urretavizcaya - River Plate de Montevideo - € 1,26 Million
Pablo Aimar - Real Zaragoza - € 6,5 Million
Ivan Santos - Boavista .F.C - 0 cost
Sidnei - S.C. Internacional - € 5 Million
Reyes - A. Madrid - € 10 Million

Total spending: € 30,76 Million​

Out:

Rui Costa - Leader of the Football Department of Benfica - Retired
Sreten Sretenovic - Politehnica 1921 Timişoara - € 800.000
Hans-Jörg Butt - FC Bayern Munich - 0 cost
Cristian Rodriguez - Loan finished
José Fonte - Crystal Palace - € 720.000(?)
João Coimbra - C.S. Maritimo - 0 cost
Paulo Jorge - C.S. Maritimo - 0 cost
Manú - C.S. Maritimo - 0 cost
João Pereira - Back to Benfica Youth Team
Abel Pereira - Back to Benfica Youth Team
Pedro Correia - Racing Club Ferrol - 0 cost
Petit - FC Köln - 0 cost
Nélson Oliveira - Back to Benfica Youth Team
Bruno Costa - Cancelation of Contract
Marco Ferreira - Cancelation of Contract
Nuno Assis - Vitória de Guimarães - 0 cost
Yu Dabao - Dispensed
Nélson - Real Betis - € 5 Million

Total income: € 6,52 Million​

Loan:

In:

David Suazo - Internazionale Milano

Out:

Marcel - Grémio
Andrés Diaz - C.A. Banfield
Rafik Halliche - Nacional da Madeira
Pedro Correia - Sporting da Covilhã
Fabio Coentrão - Real Zaragoza
Romeu Ribeiro - Desportivo das Aves
Ruben Lima - Desportivo das Aves
Miguel Rosa - Estoril-Praia
André Carvalhas - Rio Ave
Freddy Adu - AS Mónaco
Ivan Santos - Boavista .F.C
Sepsi - Racing Santander
Luis Filipe - Vitória de Guimarães
Tiago Gomes - Osasuna
Edcarlos - Fluminense​

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Games Schedule


Liga Sagres

1º: Rio Ave 1 x 1 S.L. Benfica [August 24]: 55' Semedo; 56' Nuno Gomes.
2º: S.L. Benfica 1 x 1 F.C. Porto [August 30]: 11'[PK] Lucho; 56' Cardozo.
3º: Paços de Ferreira 3 x 4 S.L. Benfica [September 21]: 7' Nuno Gomes; 14' Ozéia; 27' Maxi Pereira; 44'[PK] Cardozo; 63' Rui Miguel; 76' Jorge Ribeiro; 85' William.
4º: S.L. Benfica 2 x 0 Sporting .C.P [September 28]: 67' Reyes; 72' Sidnei.
5º: Leixões 1 x 1 S.L. Benfica [October 5]: 33' Cardozo; 88' Wesley.
6º: S.L. Benfica 2 x 1 Naval 1.º Maio [October 26]: 71' Luisão; 82' Marcelinho; 86' Cardozo.
7º: Vitória de Guimarães 1 x 2 S.L. Benfica [November 2]: 15' Suazo; 18' Sidnei; 41' Douglas.
8º: S.L. Benfica 1 x 0 Estrela da Amadora [November 16]: 50' Sidnei.
9º: Académica 0 x 2 S.L. Benfica [November 23]: 31' Ruben Amorim; 47'[PK] Cardozo.
10º: S.L. Benfica 2 x 2 Vitória de Setúbal [November 30]: 35' Laionel; 48' Katsouranis; 59' Suazo; 90+1' Anderson.
11º: Marítimo 0 x 6 S.L. Benfica [December 7]: 20'[PK] Reyes; 42' 85' Suazo; 66' Luisão; 87' 90+3' Nuno Gomes.
12º: S.L. Benfica 0 x 0 Nacional da Madeira [December 21]
13º: Trofense 2 x 0 S.L. Benfica [January 4]: 44' Reguila; 82' Hélder Barbosa.
14º: S.L Benfica 1 x 0 Sporting de Braga [January 11]: 45' David Luiz.
15º: Belenenses 0 x 0 S.L Benfica [January 25]
16º: S.L. Benfica 1 x 0 Rio Ave [February 1]: 70' Mantorras.
17º: F.C. Porto 1 x 1 S.L. Benfica [February 8]: 45+1' Yebda; 72'[PK] Lucho.
18º: S.L. Benfica x Paços de Ferreira [February 15]
19º: Sporting .C.P x S.L. Benfica [February 22]
20º: S.L. Benfica x Leixões [March 1]
21º: Naval 1.º Maio x S.L. Benfica [March 8]
22º: S.L. Benfica x Vitória de Guimarães [March 15]
23º: Estrela da Amadora x S.L. Benfica [April 5]
24º: S.L. Benfica x Académica [April 11]
25º: Vitória de Setúbal x S.L. Benfica [April 19]
26º: S.L. Benfica x Marítimo [April 26]
27º: Nacional da Madeira x S.L. Benfica [May 3]
28º: S.L. Benfica x Trofense [May 10]
29º: Sporting de Braga x S.L. Benfica [May 17]
30º: S.L. Benfica x Belenenses [May 24]


Top Scorers:
- Cardozo [5]
- Nuno Gomes [4]
- Suazo [4]
- Sidnei [3]
- Reyes [2]
- Luisão [2]
- Maxi Pereira [1]
- Jorge Ribeiro [1]
- Ruben Amorim [1]
- Katsouranis [1]
- David Luiz [1]
- Mantorras [1]
- Yebda [1]
​

Portugal Cup

Eliminated​

Third Round

[October 19] S.L. Benfica 0 x 0 Penafiel: Penalty Kicks: 5-4​

Fourth Round

[November 9] S.L. Benfica 3 x 0 Desportivo das Aves: 3' Yebda; 19' Luisão; 30' Maxi Pereira.​

Fifth Round

[December 13] Leixões 0 x 0 S.L. Benfica: Penalty Kicks: 5-4.
​

Carlsberg Cup


UEFA Cup

Eliminated​

First Round

Group 4:
[September 18] S.S.C. Napoli 3 x 2 S.L. Benfica: 16' Suazo; 18' Vitale; 20' Denis; 55' Maggio; 60' Luisão.
[October 2] S.L. Benfica 2 x 0 S.S.C. Napoli: 57' Reyes; 83' Nuno Gomes.

Group Stage

[October 23] Hertha Berlin 1 x 1 S.L. Benfica: 51' Di Maria; 74' Pantelic.
[November 6] S.L. Benfica 0 x 2 Galatasaray: 52' Emre; 69' Umit Karan.
[November 27] Olympiakos 5 x 1 S.L. Benfica: 1' Galletti; 18' Patsatzoglou; 24' 53' Diogo; 33' David Luiz; 44' Belluschi.
[December 18] S.L. Benfica 0 x 1 Metalist: 85' Rykun.

​

​

 

[Hepoas]

Nice to see a thread about Benfica. I was used to see this team win and win all the time. What has happend in the last couple of years?

 

[Coruja]

Lack of a strong direction.

 

[Tiago_10]

.. combined with the mafia environment that characterized the Liga and portuguese FA in the past 25 years, referee scandals etc. benefiting some particular clubs.


Anyway, nice post there Coruja.

Let's hope this thread'll be well alive this season

So, from the 50 or so players the press is linking with us as usual do you guys think would be a good addition?

I think Aimar would be awesome, though it may be difficult to get him.

 

[Coruja]

Aimar is really close, and it looks that he like the idea to play in Benfica, and that is important for the "project" that Rui Costa is planning for the new season. To close the contract, the only thing left to do, it's the conversation between Aimar and the Zaragoza President. If Aimar really comes to Benfica, i think it will be a great acquisition for our squad, a great 10.

 

[RuiCosta_10]

Aimar is a fantastic player, with lots of recognition in the world of football, with lots of clubs looking for his services and probably with a gold wage, so having all that in account I can safely say, Aimar will not be a Benfica player, next!

 

[Coruja]

Well, the "Aimar Saga" will probably be finished this week, i believe in a Sucefull transference, but, anyway.. Talking about Pongolle's confusion.. it's turning a little anoying.

Anyone knows when the 2008/2009 kit is presented?

 

[RuiCosta_10]

Probably in the first day of work, you can pre-order the shirt on the official site already.

Maybe around, 7th of July, I guess...

 

[Coruja]

O avançado Sinama Pongolle, que era fortemente pretendido pelo Benfica, afinal optou por ingressar no Atlético Madrid. Segundo o site do jornal desportivo espanhol "Sport", o avançado francês já está a fazer exames médicos e a sua contratação por parte dos colchoneros deverá ser confirmada nas próximas horas.

Looks like Pongolle opted for A. Madrid. It was expected, but in a certain way, im happy, because in the nowdays market there are a plenty of good players to occupy his position. The press talks about Miccoli, and isnt a bad option.. He knows some players of the actual squad, the majority of the fans like him, is a good player, so... It's not a bad choice.

 

[Coruja]

Last News:

The press says that Javier Balboa it's confirmed for 4 seasons.

 

[Coruja]

Presentation of Balboa:

It's wearing the last season kit.

The press rumours says that Benfica is interessed in Rafael Sóbis ( Real Betis ), Seitaridis ( A.Madrid ), Dica ( Steaua ) and Ayala ( Real Zaragoza ).

Sóbis is a great player, but for the Benfica economy it's a little expensive.
Seitaridis.. played well in Euro 2004, besides that.... And we have Nelson, that is quite good.
Dica, i dont know him, i only see it a few times in the Romanian games in Euro 2008..
Ayala, it might be good, but... 35 years old.. if it's only for a season... it's ok then.

 

[Tiago_10]

Well I haven't really watched Balboa play, so I can't comment on that, guess we'll have to see if he delivers.

Sóbis will be too expensive and I rather have Miccoli

I think Nélson may leave to Aston Villa or other premiership club, I wouldn't mind to see go, he's been very inconsistent. Either he performs consistently or he should go IMO.

Ayala would be a waste of money, he's too old we should use that money to buy someone we really need, Aimar or another quality AMF.

 

[Coruja]

I heard about that ( interest in Nelson ), yes, he's a little inconsistent, but Seitaridis as a solution if he really goes out... im "afraid" of that.. i prefer Nelson. Is "young", and with help maybe he can surpass his inconsistencies.

Ayala, well.. 35..

Tomorrow it's probably the conclusion of "Pablo Aimar Saga".

 

[Coruja]

The young promises: André Carvalhas and Miguel Rosa renewed their contract with Benfica for 3 seasons.

Some press news:

Pablo Aimar, Miccoli and Codina are close to sign with Benfica.

 

[Tiago_10]

We don't need Codina... He's certainly worse than Quim so I think it's enough Moreira gonna have to be sitting on the bench for most of the season why another keeper? If they're trying to screw Moreira's career to an even further extent than they're succeeding.

The 3rd keeper should be someone from the Juniors team or something.

 

[Coruja]

Maybe Quique isn't confident about Quim, or he wants Codina to be the next number 1 goalkeeper of Benfica..

 

[Tiago_10]

Now we're being linked with Maiorca's midfielder Jonás, he's a right/left winger.

However we'd have to pay €8M. Think it's too much, never watched him play but I rather we spend that money to make sure Miccoli and Aimar would come, especially because we have Di Maria and Coentrão for the left wing, he's favoured position, according to the papers.

Wouldn't be surprised if Pinto da Costa will go after him though, now that our interest in the player is public.


By the way let me express my views on this, I think the man has lost it, even a freakin junior (Carvalhas) that renewed recently confirmed he was persuaded to join FCP, same as Balboa and I think Balboa ain't that good so what's the point? Just to piss off LFV?? That's just senil stuff right there man.


EDIT: I forgot Wilhelmsson would be a really nice buy though, I'm a big fan of him and would be cheaper than this Jonás.

 

[Coruja]

Aimar agent is waiting for a offer from Newcastle.. but Aimar wants Benfica. (Press news)

I saw some videos of Jonás.. well, it's not bad, but, seems to expensive..

Benfica's only thinking about the attack, our defence isn't famous, so some reinforcements are welcome. ( Ayala is good for only 1 season if it comes together with Aimar, with no extra cost )

Porto's exaggerating, i don't know if is coincidence, but i never saw nothing like this in Portugal.. Javier Balboa, Carvalhas, Rodriguez... We're rivals, if it was only 1, but "in some time, they will call to all Benfica squad".

 

[Tiago_10]

Benfica's only thinking about the attack, our defence isn't famous, so some reinforcements are welcome. ( Ayala is good for only 1 season if it comes together with Aimar, with no extra cost )

Yeah I agree, especially that right side of defence, but I think Rui Costa will only look into that after it's decided if Nélson stays or goes.

A good possibility would be Rafinha from Schalke, well at least that's who I bought in FM to replace him

As for the rest the LB is pretty well assured with Léo, Sepsi and possibly Jorge Ribeiro. We have a great young talent in David Luiz he's our best CB already imo. Luisão is world class when on form, so if he stays let's hope he keeps away from injuries, unlike last season.

I like Miguel Victor, the potential is definitely there. We should bet on those young hungry players from our youth teams and Edcarlos kinda improved/adapted throughout the season, so for an ocasional replacement I guess it's fine, but I rather have someone like Zé Castro instead (we have the option 'cause of Simão's deal with Atlético, LFV is forgetting this!) and Ricardo Rocha was also linked with us.

 

[NightCrawler]

Wouldn't be surprised if Pinto da Costa will go after him though, now that our interest in the player is public.


By the way let me express my views on this, I think the man has lost it, even a freakin junior (Carvalhas) that renewed recently confirmed he was persuaded to join FCP, same as Balboa and I think Balboa ain't that good so what's the point? Just to piss off LFV?? That's just senil stuff right there man.

Porto's exaggerating, i don't know if is coincidence, but i never saw nothing like this in Portugal.. Javier Balboa, Carvalhas, Rodriguez... We're rivals, if it was only 1, but "in some time, they will call to all Benfica squad".

IMO that's just a giant dose of envy of our curriculum, it's actually kind of sad...
That's also why those super dragoes guys insult our club even when playing against Paços de Ferreira or teams alike...