Sucky.
That's how one should describe Benfica's performance this season, thus far.
The favourites were very close to be inflicted a defeat, at home, by Gil Vicente Barcelos, which is not a great team by any stretch of the imagination.
It was, for the first almost 70 minutes, a lackluster game, brought to life by Viana's goal, for the guests, in the 69th minute.
And the hosts did very little, by their usual standards, to win that match.
But they got lucky. Extremely lucky.
Minutes 92 and 93 was when Benfica's goals were scored.
Right after equalizing, as a matter of fact, Benfica went on the attack once again, and found the net one more time. Bad defending (and mentality) from Gil Vicente, yes, but basically luck was what did it. It was luck that brought Benfica the first three points of the season.
Highlights:
Showing posts with label Benfica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Benfica. Show all posts
Sunday, 25 August 2013
Sunday, 18 August 2013
Jesus, Just (Let Him) Go Already!
Why do Portuguese teams hold onto their coaches, like wild carnivorous animals to their prey?
Some are not worth holding onto.
I think Jorge Jesus has failed to win enough trophies at Benfica, many at the last moment, that somebody should just fire him.
Or, if they're too stupid to fire you, Jorge, have some pride, man! Resign! You ain't gonna win shit with Benfica!
(Maybe an insignificant trinket here, an insignificant trinket there... But never a big trophy, like the Liga Sagres. You're done!)
The game, on the first matchday, against Maritimo, was a disaster for Benfica SL.
Not only did they fail to win, but they failed to impress, as well.
And the only goal they scored, to make it 1-1, came after a huge blunder by a Maritimo defender.
With such a lousy start from their best opponent, Porto is going to move ahead very quickly...
Highlights:
Some are not worth holding onto.
I think Jorge Jesus has failed to win enough trophies at Benfica, many at the last moment, that somebody should just fire him.
Or, if they're too stupid to fire you, Jorge, have some pride, man! Resign! You ain't gonna win shit with Benfica!
(Maybe an insignificant trinket here, an insignificant trinket there... But never a big trophy, like the Liga Sagres. You're done!)
The game, on the first matchday, against Maritimo, was a disaster for Benfica SL.
Not only did they fail to win, but they failed to impress, as well.
And the only goal they scored, to make it 1-1, came after a huge blunder by a Maritimo defender.
With such a lousy start from their best opponent, Porto is going to move ahead very quickly...
Highlights:
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Portugal - UEFA Club Competitions Participants - 2013-2014
FC Porto --> Champions League Group Stage
Benfica Lisbon --> Champions League Group Stage
Pacos de Ferreira --> Champions League Play-off Round
SC Braga --> Europa League Play-off Round
Estoril --> Europa League Third Qualifying Round
Vitoria Guimaraes --> Europa League Group Stage
Benfica Lisbon --> Champions League Group Stage
Pacos de Ferreira --> Champions League Play-off Round
SC Braga --> Europa League Play-off Round
Estoril --> Europa League Third Qualifying Round
Vitoria Guimaraes --> Europa League Group Stage
Sunday, 26 May 2013
The Icing on the Cake of Shame
Three trophies. Three trophies that Benfica could have won. And maybe should have won.
But they won none.
Not even the one in which they faced a team like Vitoria Guimaraes in the final.
We're not talking Porto or Chelsea anymore. We're talking losing a final against the likes of 9th-place Guimaraes.
No doubt about it, Jorge Jesus has got to go.
Either that, or Benfica's leadership is full of suckers, to put it mildly.
Highlights:
But they won none.
Not even the one in which they faced a team like Vitoria Guimaraes in the final.
We're not talking Porto or Chelsea anymore. We're talking losing a final against the likes of 9th-place Guimaraes.
No doubt about it, Jorge Jesus has got to go.
Either that, or Benfica's leadership is full of suckers, to put it mildly.
Highlights:
Sunday, 19 May 2013
No Great Effort from Pacos de Ferreira
FC Porto is the new champion of the Portuguese Primeira Liga!
Sure, they are good, but how is a match between the first- and third-placed teams going to be so dull and unidirectional?
Pacos de Ferreira did practically nothing to try to stop Porto from winning.
Now, that's a shame!
Highlights:
Highlights from Benfica-Moreirense:
Sure, they are good, but how is a match between the first- and third-placed teams going to be so dull and unidirectional?
Pacos de Ferreira did practically nothing to try to stop Porto from winning.
Now, that's a shame!
Highlights:
Highlights from Benfica-Moreirense:
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Injury Time Again!
Wow!
It's a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad time to be a Benfica supporter.
The Portuguese team played somewhat better than Chelsea (whose players were unusually timid, in a manner reminiscent of last year's Champions League final).
Against the run of play, however, Chelsea opened the scoring, following a counter-attack well finalized by Fernando Torres, on the hour mark.
But Benfica did not despair, and got their chance, from the spot, only 8 minutes later, through Cardozo.
Just when it seemed that the match was destined for extra time, in the last minute of injury time, Branislav Ivanovic, the excellent Serbian defender who scored so many headed goals for Chelsea since he came to the team -- Jorge Jesus, you couldn't have seen something like that coming, could you? Of course you couldn't!... -- rose majestically to score.
The ball really could have gone anywhere, but in hindsight the header placed the ball perfectly. It was not a powerful, direct header, but it was a touch that made sure nothing could interfere with the trajectory of the ball.
And, so, Benfica fails to win the triple, from even the very first trophy-winning attempt. Maybe they should try to see if they can get Jupp Heynckes.
But, for Chelsea, it's a great time.
Chelsea is now, for a few days, the holder of both the Champions League and the Europa League.
Their fans are enjoying this to the max, for sure.
Highlights:
It's a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad time to be a Benfica supporter.
The Portuguese team played somewhat better than Chelsea (whose players were unusually timid, in a manner reminiscent of last year's Champions League final).
Against the run of play, however, Chelsea opened the scoring, following a counter-attack well finalized by Fernando Torres, on the hour mark.
But Benfica did not despair, and got their chance, from the spot, only 8 minutes later, through Cardozo.
Just when it seemed that the match was destined for extra time, in the last minute of injury time, Branislav Ivanovic, the excellent Serbian defender who scored so many headed goals for Chelsea since he came to the team -- Jorge Jesus, you couldn't have seen something like that coming, could you? Of course you couldn't!... -- rose majestically to score.
The ball really could have gone anywhere, but in hindsight the header placed the ball perfectly. It was not a powerful, direct header, but it was a touch that made sure nothing could interfere with the trajectory of the ball.
And, so, Benfica fails to win the triple, from even the very first trophy-winning attempt. Maybe they should try to see if they can get Jupp Heynckes.
But, for Chelsea, it's a great time.
Chelsea is now, for a few days, the holder of both the Champions League and the Europa League.
Their fans are enjoying this to the max, for sure.
Highlights:
Saturday, 11 May 2013
The Drama of Losing a Title at the Death
Benfica should not have lost in Oporto.
But FC Porto had one lucky break, when Kelvin decided to shoot from an unconventional position, in the 92nd minute, and that inspiration probably took the title from their bitter rivals and gave it to the team from the north.
Of course, Porto still has a hard match coming up, against 3rd-placed Pacos de Ferreira. But Pacos has nothing left to play for, because they can no longer be reached by Braga even if they lose.
Benfica has probably the easiest match of the season, against Moreirense at home, but it's all for naught if Porto wins.
Again, I just have to talk about Jorge Jesus. The image of the Benfica coach falling down on his knees after Kelvin's goal says it all. Jesus is not good enough to win titles. Benfica needs a better coach. And that's that.
Maybe if he wins the Europa League, against Chelsea, management will be lenient. But losing a title like this, to your biggest rivals, is worse than losing by 20 points, for instance.
How much longer will Jorge Jesus' incompetence be tolerated?
But maybe I shouldn't talk in advance. Maybe Pacos de Ferreira will not lose to Porto.
(Don't bet on it, though!)
Highlights:
But FC Porto had one lucky break, when Kelvin decided to shoot from an unconventional position, in the 92nd minute, and that inspiration probably took the title from their bitter rivals and gave it to the team from the north.
Of course, Porto still has a hard match coming up, against 3rd-placed Pacos de Ferreira. But Pacos has nothing left to play for, because they can no longer be reached by Braga even if they lose.
Benfica has probably the easiest match of the season, against Moreirense at home, but it's all for naught if Porto wins.
Again, I just have to talk about Jorge Jesus. The image of the Benfica coach falling down on his knees after Kelvin's goal says it all. Jesus is not good enough to win titles. Benfica needs a better coach. And that's that.
Maybe if he wins the Europa League, against Chelsea, management will be lenient. But losing a title like this, to your biggest rivals, is worse than losing by 20 points, for instance.
How much longer will Jorge Jesus' incompetence be tolerated?
But maybe I shouldn't talk in advance. Maybe Pacos de Ferreira will not lose to Porto.
(Don't bet on it, though!)
Highlights:
Monday, 6 May 2013
Estoril Makes the Derby for Real
This was it. The last match that needed to be won in order to not have to worry about playing in Oporto for the title.
And, even though it was at home, Benfica failed to get the right result in it.
I can't help but think, once again, that Benfica's coach, Jorge Jesus, is not a very good coach.
Just looking at the result, one might think that Benfica was unlucky.
But, seeing the highlights, I must say that Estoril was the unlucky team. The team from the municipality of Cascais had by far the better chances, and the tying goal by Maxi Pereira was one of the few that went the other way.
So, Benfica should consider themselves lucky that they got the draw. Estoril deserved the win.
And this sets up the Porto - Benfica encounter next matchday as do-or-die for both teams.
Of course, Benfica will all but win the title with just a draw. Porto will have to win to have first chance at the title.
Highlights:
And, even though it was at home, Benfica failed to get the right result in it.
I can't help but think, once again, that Benfica's coach, Jorge Jesus, is not a very good coach.
Just looking at the result, one might think that Benfica was unlucky.
But, seeing the highlights, I must say that Estoril was the unlucky team. The team from the municipality of Cascais had by far the better chances, and the tying goal by Maxi Pereira was one of the few that went the other way.
So, Benfica should consider themselves lucky that they got the draw. Estoril deserved the win.
And this sets up the Porto - Benfica encounter next matchday as do-or-die for both teams.
Of course, Benfica will all but win the title with just a draw. Porto will have to win to have first chance at the title.
Highlights:
Thursday, 2 May 2013
Where Is Last Week's Fener Team?
Fenerbahce really upset Benfica last week.
But this return leg they were content only to defend. Only when they were no longer leading on aggregate, did the Turkish team pose significant threat in attack.
And Benfica did not waste time.
They started well, and after only 9 minutes Gaitan put them ahead, much to the delight of the public.
However, that enjoyment was short-lived, because Fenerbahce was awarded a penalty that shouldn't have been, 12 minutes later.
Kuyt did not care how the PK was obtained, though, and converted it coolly.
But some bad central defending from the Turks saw Benfica regain the lead, after another 12 minutes, in the 35th.
At 1-2, though, Fenerbahce was going to the final.
Nevertheless, Benfica's top goalscorer, Cardozo, the author of their second goal, had other ideas, and he made it 3-1 midway through the second half.
From here on, Fenerbahce had to press forward more, but they did not have enough firepower to get more goals. They probably shouldn't have gotten the first one, either, anyway.
As expected, the final is Chelsea - Benfica. It should be good. (Certainly better than the Champions League final this year.)
Highlights:
But this return leg they were content only to defend. Only when they were no longer leading on aggregate, did the Turkish team pose significant threat in attack.
And Benfica did not waste time.
They started well, and after only 9 minutes Gaitan put them ahead, much to the delight of the public.
However, that enjoyment was short-lived, because Fenerbahce was awarded a penalty that shouldn't have been, 12 minutes later.
Kuyt did not care how the PK was obtained, though, and converted it coolly.
But some bad central defending from the Turks saw Benfica regain the lead, after another 12 minutes, in the 35th.
At 1-2, though, Fenerbahce was going to the final.
Nevertheless, Benfica's top goalscorer, Cardozo, the author of their second goal, had other ideas, and he made it 3-1 midway through the second half.
From here on, Fenerbahce had to press forward more, but they did not have enough firepower to get more goals. They probably shouldn't have gotten the first one, either, anyway.
As expected, the final is Chelsea - Benfica. It should be good. (Certainly better than the Champions League final this year.)
Highlights:
Thursday, 25 April 2013
Benfica in Trouble?
Fenerbahce played well better than the Portuguese outfit, but were frustrated time and time again until their goal.
Luckily, with so many refereeing errors in the Champions League, Europa League referees went the other way and judged Korkmaz's effort correctly. They gave the goal, and the Turkish team went on to win.
It's going to be very hard for Benfica to overturn the result.
Previously, they had not lost in this year's Europa League. 5 wins and 1 draw, was Benfica's tally prior to today's game.
Highlights:
Luckily, with so many refereeing errors in the Champions League, Europa League referees went the other way and judged Korkmaz's effort correctly. They gave the goal, and the Turkish team went on to win.
It's going to be very hard for Benfica to overturn the result.
Previously, they had not lost in this year's Europa League. 5 wins and 1 draw, was Benfica's tally prior to today's game.
Highlights:
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Stupid, Retarded UEFA Rules!
I must say, it seems to me that UEFA decision makers are getting dumber and dumber. And no, I'm not talking about the decision to have the next Euros comprise of 24 teams.
I'm talking about having the main tie-breaking criterion between teams tied on points in the Champions League be the direct results between the teams in question.
How moronic is that?
How idiotic is it, huh, Mr. Platini?
Let's look at it, group by group.
Group A is, surprisingly, unaffected by this rule.
In Group B, Schalke can even lose, no matter by what scoreline, as long as Arsenal does not win in the other match, and still win the group. So, a team that might get crushed - it will not happen, by I'm just saying - 7-0 by someone as weak as Montpellier could still win that group. Stupid!
In Group C, Malaga has already won the group, courtesy of their better head-to-head record against AC Milan. So, then, both Malaga and Milan have nothing to play for in the last matchday. Very stupid!
Luckily, as far as the struggle between Zenit St. Petersburg and Anderlecht goes, their direct encounters ended 1-0 and 0-1, so that will be decided by goal difference. They will have to show up and play, if they wish to finish third and continue in the Europa League. Thank God (for almost nothing)!
Group D also has a decided winner, Borussia Dortmund, because of their better record against Real Madrid. Not that Borussia was not the best team of the group so far, but if they lose at home to Manchester City, on the last matchday, nobody would then say that they were, pound-for-pound, the best overall team if Real beats Ajax and gets the same number of points. (You gotta play well all your matches to be most appreciated!...)
Man. City, likewise, cannot not win their last match, if they want Europa League play, even if Ajax loses 200-0 in Madrid.
Extremely dumb!
But Group E is the worst.
You know, someone watching Juventus - Chelsea (3-0), and not having been aware of these fucked-up UEFA rules, might have thought that Juventus kept pressing, even at 2-0 and with 10 minutes left, because they knew every goal would count on the last matchday and Chelsea would have played Nordsjaelland (a team that is very likely to lose 6-7--nil). Actually, though, NO!
Thanks to any kind of win over Chelsea, and with a point in Donetsk in two weeks ' time, Juventus can then be assured of progressing over Chelsea, last year 's winner.
Even a 1-0 victory for Juventus would have been enough to secure that advantage.
3-0 was a result that brought Juventus no more benefits than a 1-0 would have.
And another unfortunate result of this obvious lack of intelligence from UEFA officials is the fact that Shakhtar Donetsk is already in the round of 16. Yes, they have secured their place, because of their direct results over Chelsea (2-1 and 2-3, away-goals rule) and now Chelsea can only at best tie Shakhtar on points.
So, Shakhtar has only first place to play for, on the last matchday, and clearly a draw in their direct match would satisfy both Shakhtar (who would win the group) and Juventus (who would go through, leaving Chelsea out).
How much do Chelsea fans hate UEFA for these senseless rules?
So, so retarded!!!
In Group F, Bayern leads over Valencia, even though Valencia has a better goal difference. (The two teams are tied on points, yes.) And all Bayern needs to do is match the number of points that Valencia gets on the last day, to win that group.
Also, Lille cannot go to the Europa League, even though they are clearly better than BATE at the present time, even if they win their last match by an astronomical score, and BATE loses theirs by an astronomical score, too, to boot. Why? Well, because stupid UEFA said 1-3 and 2-0 means the team that scored the three goals in that one match will beat the other team, no matter what else happens, if they're tied on points at the end.
Also, retarded!
In Group G, Benfica needs to match Celtic's result, but luckily for the surprising Scottish outfit (who beat Barcelona) Celtic plays Spartak at home while Benfica has to take on Barca away.
Group H contains another team that might be seriously screwed by this deficiency in thinking clearly exhibited by UEFA officials: CFR Cluj.
The Romanians have to go to Old Trafford, needing to beat Manchester United. And, even then, they have to hope that Galatasaray does not defeat Braga in Portugal. (And Braga cannot even finish third anymore. They will be bottom, and might only be playing for pride, if even that.)
Potential scorelines Man. U. - Cluj 0-5 and Braga - Galatasaray 2-3 would allow the Turkish team to qualify. If that happens, wouldn't that be fucked-up, retarded, and unfair to Cluj?
Realistically, all the Transylvanian team can hope for is for them to get a point in Manchester, and for Galatasaray to lose to Braga.
They could score, and score, and score, in England, and still get kicked out. Thanks to some serious incompetence from UEFA!
I'm talking about having the main tie-breaking criterion between teams tied on points in the Champions League be the direct results between the teams in question.
How moronic is that?
How idiotic is it, huh, Mr. Platini?
Let's look at it, group by group.
Group A is, surprisingly, unaffected by this rule.
In Group B, Schalke can even lose, no matter by what scoreline, as long as Arsenal does not win in the other match, and still win the group. So, a team that might get crushed - it will not happen, by I'm just saying - 7-0 by someone as weak as Montpellier could still win that group. Stupid!
In Group C, Malaga has already won the group, courtesy of their better head-to-head record against AC Milan. So, then, both Malaga and Milan have nothing to play for in the last matchday. Very stupid!
Luckily, as far as the struggle between Zenit St. Petersburg and Anderlecht goes, their direct encounters ended 1-0 and 0-1, so that will be decided by goal difference. They will have to show up and play, if they wish to finish third and continue in the Europa League. Thank God (for almost nothing)!
Group D also has a decided winner, Borussia Dortmund, because of their better record against Real Madrid. Not that Borussia was not the best team of the group so far, but if they lose at home to Manchester City, on the last matchday, nobody would then say that they were, pound-for-pound, the best overall team if Real beats Ajax and gets the same number of points. (You gotta play well all your matches to be most appreciated!...)
Man. City, likewise, cannot not win their last match, if they want Europa League play, even if Ajax loses 200-0 in Madrid.
Extremely dumb!
But Group E is the worst.
You know, someone watching Juventus - Chelsea (3-0), and not having been aware of these fucked-up UEFA rules, might have thought that Juventus kept pressing, even at 2-0 and with 10 minutes left, because they knew every goal would count on the last matchday and Chelsea would have played Nordsjaelland (a team that is very likely to lose 6-7--nil). Actually, though, NO!
Thanks to any kind of win over Chelsea, and with a point in Donetsk in two weeks ' time, Juventus can then be assured of progressing over Chelsea, last year 's winner.
Even a 1-0 victory for Juventus would have been enough to secure that advantage.
3-0 was a result that brought Juventus no more benefits than a 1-0 would have.
And another unfortunate result of this obvious lack of intelligence from UEFA officials is the fact that Shakhtar Donetsk is already in the round of 16. Yes, they have secured their place, because of their direct results over Chelsea (2-1 and 2-3, away-goals rule) and now Chelsea can only at best tie Shakhtar on points.
So, Shakhtar has only first place to play for, on the last matchday, and clearly a draw in their direct match would satisfy both Shakhtar (who would win the group) and Juventus (who would go through, leaving Chelsea out).
How much do Chelsea fans hate UEFA for these senseless rules?
So, so retarded!!!
In Group F, Bayern leads over Valencia, even though Valencia has a better goal difference. (The two teams are tied on points, yes.) And all Bayern needs to do is match the number of points that Valencia gets on the last day, to win that group.
Also, Lille cannot go to the Europa League, even though they are clearly better than BATE at the present time, even if they win their last match by an astronomical score, and BATE loses theirs by an astronomical score, too, to boot. Why? Well, because stupid UEFA said 1-3 and 2-0 means the team that scored the three goals in that one match will beat the other team, no matter what else happens, if they're tied on points at the end.
Also, retarded!
In Group G, Benfica needs to match Celtic's result, but luckily for the surprising Scottish outfit (who beat Barcelona) Celtic plays Spartak at home while Benfica has to take on Barca away.
Group H contains another team that might be seriously screwed by this deficiency in thinking clearly exhibited by UEFA officials: CFR Cluj.
The Romanians have to go to Old Trafford, needing to beat Manchester United. And, even then, they have to hope that Galatasaray does not defeat Braga in Portugal. (And Braga cannot even finish third anymore. They will be bottom, and might only be playing for pride, if even that.)
Potential scorelines Man. U. - Cluj 0-5 and Braga - Galatasaray 2-3 would allow the Turkish team to qualify. If that happens, wouldn't that be fucked-up, retarded, and unfair to Cluj?
Realistically, all the Transylvanian team can hope for is for them to get a point in Manchester, and for Galatasaray to lose to Braga.
They could score, and score, and score, in England, and still get kicked out. Thanks to some serious incompetence from UEFA!
Saturday, 29 September 2012
Big Trouble in Little Rio Ave
Despite the fact that they had beaten Sporting, a few matchdays before, almost nobody thought Rio Ave would be capable of beating FC Porto, too, even though they were playing at home.
But Rio Ave almost did just that.
Porto took the lead early in the match, through a very easy goal by Miguel Lopes. (He scored in the empty net, because the goalkeeper was left struggling by a free kick effort that had rebounded off the post.)
And it seemed that Porto was on track for the win, especially when they almost put in a second goal, in the 69th minute. They hit the bar with that one.
But, then, Tarantini decided to take matters into his own hands. He fought for a ball maybe harder than everybody expected, and managed to score a scrappy, but very good, goal in the 78th.
And, eight minutes later, came an amazing shot by the same Tarantini, that silenced the away supporters. 2-1.
To their credit, Porto did not give up, and they did succeed in grabbing one point from this match, in the 90th minute, through a header by Jackson Martinez (which might not have happened if the Rio Ave defender marking the Porto forward had been an inch taller).
So, Porto only draws level on points with Benfica, after this result, but has to settle for second spot, courtesy of one more goal scored by Benfica.
Highlights:
But Rio Ave almost did just that.
Porto took the lead early in the match, through a very easy goal by Miguel Lopes. (He scored in the empty net, because the goalkeeper was left struggling by a free kick effort that had rebounded off the post.)
And it seemed that Porto was on track for the win, especially when they almost put in a second goal, in the 69th minute. They hit the bar with that one.
But, then, Tarantini decided to take matters into his own hands. He fought for a ball maybe harder than everybody expected, and managed to score a scrappy, but very good, goal in the 78th.
And, eight minutes later, came an amazing shot by the same Tarantini, that silenced the away supporters. 2-1.
To their credit, Porto did not give up, and they did succeed in grabbing one point from this match, in the 90th minute, through a header by Jackson Martinez (which might not have happened if the Rio Ave defender marking the Porto forward had been an inch taller).
So, Porto only draws level on points with Benfica, after this result, but has to settle for second spot, courtesy of one more goal scored by Benfica.
Highlights:
Monday, 4 June 2012
Portugal - UEFA Club Competitions Participants - 2012-2013
FC Porto --> Champions League Group Stage
Benfica Lisbon --> Champions League Group Stage
SC Braga --> Champions League Play-off Round
Sporting Lisbon --> Europa League Play-off Round
Maritimo Funchal --> Europa League Third Qualifying Round
Academica Coimbra --> Europa League Group Stage
Benfica Lisbon --> Champions League Group Stage
SC Braga --> Champions League Play-off Round
Sporting Lisbon --> Europa League Play-off Round
Maritimo Funchal --> Europa League Third Qualifying Round
Academica Coimbra --> Europa League Group Stage
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Porto Wins the Title in Portugal
Benfica could not beat Rio Ave today.
This means FC Porto are the new Primeira Liga champions!
The rules of the Portuguese league state that FC Porto has the tiebreaker over Benfica (- direct matches -) who is the only team that could still end up tied on points with the Oporto giants.
So, Porto wins this title without even playing. I'm sure they're having some fun at the expense of Benfica's humiliating failure.
In hindsight, Porto was clearly the best team, though, beating Benfica and Braga (and Maritimo, which makes it three of the other four from the top five) away from home! That's just excellent form!
This is Porto's 26th title. (Benfica has 32 overall.)
Highlights from Rio Ave - Benfica 2-2:
Highlights from Maritimo - Porto 0-2:
This means FC Porto are the new Primeira Liga champions!
The rules of the Portuguese league state that FC Porto has the tiebreaker over Benfica (- direct matches -) who is the only team that could still end up tied on points with the Oporto giants.
So, Porto wins this title without even playing. I'm sure they're having some fun at the expense of Benfica's humiliating failure.
In hindsight, Porto was clearly the best team, though, beating Benfica and Braga (and Maritimo, which makes it three of the other four from the top five) away from home! That's just excellent form!
This is Porto's 26th title. (Benfica has 32 overall.)
Highlights from Rio Ave - Benfica 2-2:
Highlights from Maritimo - Porto 0-2:
Monday, 9 April 2012
Okay, Porto's Probably Gonna Take It Now
Benfica could not substantiate its claim to being a strong title contender.
They were defeated by Sporting today, 0-1, away, which allowed FC Porto to open up a 4-point gap on their closest rivals.
Benfica should have had a penalty in the second minute, but the referee did not see it that way. Instead, he gave Sporting a penalty way too easily, at the other end. van Wolfswinkel scored, in minute 18, and that was the last and only goal of the match.
Sporting even seemingly played better after scoring, but Benfica had some chances, too.
Anyway, the penalty incidents were crucial, clearly, and some Benfica fans might even say the referees might have been on Jorge Nuno de Lima Pinto da Costa 's payroll.
Highlights:
Momentos - Sporting 1-0 Benfica by jimbrasalonso
They were defeated by Sporting today, 0-1, away, which allowed FC Porto to open up a 4-point gap on their closest rivals.
Benfica should have had a penalty in the second minute, but the referee did not see it that way. Instead, he gave Sporting a penalty way too easily, at the other end. van Wolfswinkel scored, in minute 18, and that was the last and only goal of the match.
Sporting even seemingly played better after scoring, but Benfica had some chances, too.
Anyway, the penalty incidents were crucial, clearly, and some Benfica fans might even say the referees might have been on Jorge Nuno de Lima Pinto da Costa 's payroll.
Highlights:
Momentos - Sporting 1-0 Benfica by jimbrasalonso
Saturday, 7 April 2012
Braga's Challenge, Over?
Looks like Sporting Braga lost it exactly when they needed it most.
They had two huge matches, Benfica away and Porto at home, and, given their previous form of over 10 consecutively won games in the league, Braga seemed like they could really do it to their much-more-famous rivals.
Unfortunately for them, though, Braga cracked and could not muster even a single point from these two matches.
Porto, who beat them 1-0 in Braga today, thanks to a Hulk goal, early in the second half, is now 5 points ahead of Braga.
Benfica faces a tough challenge on Monday - they're playing Sporting Lisbon away - but they could stay within one point of Porto and pull away from Braga, too.
(Of course, though, Sporting needs points for their fight against Maritimo, too.)
...And Braga seems lost in between the top two and 4th and 5th, now, with nowhere to go.
Highlights:
They had two huge matches, Benfica away and Porto at home, and, given their previous form of over 10 consecutively won games in the league, Braga seemed like they could really do it to their much-more-famous rivals.
Unfortunately for them, though, Braga cracked and could not muster even a single point from these two matches.
Porto, who beat them 1-0 in Braga today, thanks to a Hulk goal, early in the second half, is now 5 points ahead of Braga.
Benfica faces a tough challenge on Monday - they're playing Sporting Lisbon away - but they could stay within one point of Porto and pull away from Braga, too.
(Of course, though, Sporting needs points for their fight against Maritimo, too.)
...And Braga seems lost in between the top two and 4th and 5th, now, with nowhere to go.
Highlights:
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Not as Easy as Expected
Wow, Chelsea trembled for a few minutes at the end of their second-leg encounter against Benfica, not even to mention looking shaky for most of the match.
Cech had a great save at the start of the second half, too, by the way.
Frank Lampard scored from the penalty spot to put Chelsea 2-0 up on aggregate, but Benfica had to score two to be sure of advancing anyway.
And they did get one, albeit somewhat luckily, in the 85th, through the man responsible for causing Lampard's penalty.
But, as Benfica kept pouring forward, Meireles netted another one for Chelsea, in injury time, at the end of a smart counter-attack.
Benfica's defense is just not as sturdy as it should be for this stage of the Champions League, that's a definite conclusion from the overall Chelsea - Benfica match-up.
Now, Chelsea is going to face Barcelona, though, and that would be much, much harder.
See highlights here.
Cech had a great save at the start of the second half, too, by the way.
Frank Lampard scored from the penalty spot to put Chelsea 2-0 up on aggregate, but Benfica had to score two to be sure of advancing anyway.
And they did get one, albeit somewhat luckily, in the 85th, through the man responsible for causing Lampard's penalty.
But, as Benfica kept pouring forward, Meireles netted another one for Chelsea, in injury time, at the end of a smart counter-attack.
Benfica's defense is just not as sturdy as it should be for this stage of the Champions League, that's a definite conclusion from the overall Chelsea - Benfica match-up.
Now, Chelsea is going to face Barcelona, though, and that would be much, much harder.
See highlights here.
Saturday, 31 March 2012
A Short Ride for Braga
Sporting Braga had a very-short-lived life at the top of the Primeira Liga.
The smaller team had to bow to the masters today as both Benfica and Porto won. While Porto defeated Olhanense, 2-0, at home, Benfica beat no other than Braga. 2-1, final score, and the winning goal came in the dying moments.
So, Braga's run of 13 successive wins in the league is over. They had last lost in Oporto, against FC Porto, 2-3, back in December. Now, their newest loss comes at the hands of the other Portuguese giant.
Perhaps Braga should have gotten a draw from this match.
And most people probably thought they would get it, after Hugo Viana (in minute 82) cancelled Witsel's penalty opener (78).
But Bruno Cesar (90) begged to differ, and made the home fans very happy.
He couldn't make them as happy as they would want, though, because now FC Porto is on top.
But at least Benfica is currently occupying the second Champions League spot.
Highlights from Porto - Olhanense 2-0:
Highlights from Benfica - Braga 2-1:
The smaller team had to bow to the masters today as both Benfica and Porto won. While Porto defeated Olhanense, 2-0, at home, Benfica beat no other than Braga. 2-1, final score, and the winning goal came in the dying moments.
So, Braga's run of 13 successive wins in the league is over. They had last lost in Oporto, against FC Porto, 2-3, back in December. Now, their newest loss comes at the hands of the other Portuguese giant.
Perhaps Braga should have gotten a draw from this match.
And most people probably thought they would get it, after Hugo Viana (in minute 82) cancelled Witsel's penalty opener (78).
But Bruno Cesar (90) begged to differ, and made the home fans very happy.
He couldn't make them as happy as they would want, though, because now FC Porto is on top.
But at least Benfica is currently occupying the second Champions League spot.
Highlights from Porto - Olhanense 2-0:
Highlights from Benfica - Braga 2-1:
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Chelsea Wins Away from Home!
Benfica did not deserve to lose this match, but lose they did, because Chelsea played very pragmatically.
It was the London club 's first away win in the Champions League this season.
The Portuguese club had some big chances to score. They were either unlucky or foiled by some top-class goalkeeping by Petr Cech (such as Jardel's miss in the second half).
And those missed chances would come back to haunt Jorge Jesus ' men.
(Mata also missed a big chance for Chelsea in the second half, too, by the way.)
In the 75th minute, Torres' cross was perfect for Kalou, who buried it from 6 meters away from goal.
Chelsea goes back to Stamford Bridge with a win and a very big chance to advance to the semifinals, despite Benfica's having two times more opportunities to score.
Highlights:
It was the London club 's first away win in the Champions League this season.
The Portuguese club had some big chances to score. They were either unlucky or foiled by some top-class goalkeeping by Petr Cech (such as Jardel's miss in the second half).
And those missed chances would come back to haunt Jorge Jesus ' men.
(Mata also missed a big chance for Chelsea in the second half, too, by the way.)
In the 75th minute, Torres' cross was perfect for Kalou, who buried it from 6 meters away from goal.
Chelsea goes back to Stamford Bridge with a win and a very big chance to advance to the semifinals, despite Benfica's having two times more opportunities to score.
Highlights:
Monday, 26 March 2012
Braga Did It
Sporting Braga had to hold their nerves in the last moments of their home win against Academica (2-1), but they got the win they needed to go top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
Mossoro opened the scoring in the 36th minute, and Lima made it 2-0 in minute 45. Braga seemed to be rolling towards the win, but Academica had a really good second half. However, all the Coimbra team was able to do, despite the pressure, was to reduce the deficit: David Simao, in minute 62, made it 1-2, with a spectacular long-range shot.
Braga's victory sees them going on top, alone, with 58 points.
Porto trails them, on 57, and Benfica now has 56 in third (which would not guarantee a Champions League presence next year for the only remaining Portuguese team in this year 's CL).
1-0:
2-0:
2-1:
Mossoro opened the scoring in the 36th minute, and Lima made it 2-0 in minute 45. Braga seemed to be rolling towards the win, but Academica had a really good second half. However, all the Coimbra team was able to do, despite the pressure, was to reduce the deficit: David Simao, in minute 62, made it 1-2, with a spectacular long-range shot.
Braga's victory sees them going on top, alone, with 58 points.
Porto trails them, on 57, and Benfica now has 56 in third (which would not guarantee a Champions League presence next year for the only remaining Portuguese team in this year 's CL).
1-0:
2-0:
2-1:
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