“Made In Benfica”

Ivan & Bernardo

-          Benfica President Luis Filipe Viera recently has come out to the media and stated that by 2020 more then half of the Benfica main squad will not only be homegrown Portuguese players but will be players who have been developed through the Benfica youth systems. LFV has come out to the media and said many things in the past. Who can forget his plan of Benfica strategic plan of guaranteeing an ample amount of trophies coming into Benfica within the next few years? And at the end of 2012 there was a big surprise or a big name arriving to Benfica in 2013. (Funes Mori?) Regardless of what was promised and delivered from LFV to the Benfica Nation in the past, this current promise of a “Made In Benfica” home grown squad is acheievable considering most of Benfica Junior squad and B squad are “Made In Benfica.”

Benfica Kids Beating FC Porto

- It was just a few days ago in which Benfica offered extended contracts to four of their youth/ B Team players valid until 2019. The players João Teixeira, Alexandre Alfaiate, Pedro Rebocho and Raphael Guzzo all accepted these contracts and have already enjoyed minutes on the pitch. Teixeira at age 19 is an 8 type of player who has played 13 games this season under Hélder Cristóvão’s B Team. LFV also promoted youth players Gilson Costa, André Ferreira, Hildeberto Pereira, João Lima and Kevin Oliveira to professional contracts. Most of these players are 17 years of age and play in the Juniors team.

Pedro Rebocho

For those of you who are ongoing listeners to the “Talking To The Doll” Benfica podcast should know that we enjoy discussing the youth and B team players at Benfica. It gives me a sense of pride in being a Benfica fan to see players like Ivan Cavaleiro, ANDRÉ GOMES ANDRÉ Almeida emerge from the youth system. Although they were not always in Benfica youth teams, they were brought in at a young age to be Benfica youth players before integrating into the main squad. It also makes me believe that more players will continue to emerge in the future. I still remember when Benfica played Celtic in Toronto on September 3, 2009 at BMO field and Nelson Oliveira and Ruben Pinto contributed to goals. At the time who would of thought that Pinto would be end up being the captain of the B Team and Nelson would become one of the most talked about Benfica strikers representing Portugal in the Euro 2012.?

Bruno Varela

- With my annual Benfica membership, I receive a few times per year “Mistica: The official magazine of Benfica.” I recently received issue 23 – Year 5 in the mail just yesterday and on the cover are 14 B and youth players with the caption “O Benfica Tem Futuro!” (Benfica has a future) This statement is especially evident if you look at the Portugal U16 through to the U19, teams. Just last week the Portugal U15 coach selected 8 players to begin training in Rio Maior to prepare for upcoming international fixtures. Perhaps a few of these players (One named Fernandes coincidently) may end up being a part of the future homegrown Benfica team of 2020? According to an interview conducted by Benfica TV on August 23, 2013 Benfica President LFV has stated that for the 2014/15 season Benfica’s strategic plan of integrating more “Made In Benfica” players into the main squad.

- Being a Portuguese player on a Portuguese club is always appealing from the outside looking in. Especially during a time in which the Portuguese league is gaining credibility as a whole by the success in Europe with FC Porto winning a few UEFA titles, SC Braga’s UEFA stints and Benfica almost every year reaching Quarter – Finals or last year’s Europa Cup final. Portugal will soon surpass Italy and possibly France within the next few years with the coefficient. Although there are still many “foreign” players in the league, “foreign” players will always be needed in any league. Especially in a country like Portugal which has a population of 10 million and hundreds of football clubs in many different league’s.

Goncalo Guedes

- It’s building a strong league with homegrown players that will turn head’s on the European stage. The Bundesliga in Germany may have a few foreign players, most of it’s players are made in Germany. According to Wiki, a team like Bayern Munich who has been one of the most dominant teams over the last few years has a main squad of half homegrown players and half foreign players. However, if you look at their B team and Junior teams they are primarily 90% German. In Spain , Barcelona main squad has approximately one third of their players are foreign. Teams in France, and even the MLS in North America (which will eventually become more then just a retirement league for Euopean players)

- Unfortunately, the biggest league in the world the EPL is compromised of mostly foreign players. Big teams in England with deep pockets who can buy almost anyone. The problem with that is, although the EPL is exciting and arguably the most watched league in the world, the English National team and youth teams are finding it hard to produce successful homegrown players because the likes of Arsenal, Manchester’s, Liverpool tend to sign foreign players leaving little room for local English players. Again, some of the best soccer is played in the EPL however, it’s admirable to see a league or a few teams within a league who have built a competitive winning squad from their own country and youth teams within their club.

JJ With Joao Cancelo

- If you look at modern society from all over the world there is a strong emphasis on “Being Local.” You’re often told to buy local or support local as it is important to build the community or area in which you live. More consumer good spent within your area, better chances of more money being invested in your community. I should buy my clothes down the street instead of giving it to the evil big Walmart a few minutes away. This HIPSTER way of thinking in which we often poke fun at (some are in denial’s of being so called HIPSTERS) should be applied to the teams in which we support.

- It surely would be a wonderful thing to see Benfica (or better yet the Portuguese league) have 60-70-80% come from Portugal but more specifically their own youth teams. What would be even better would be to see Benfica blow out the competition in UEFA competitions. But wait, that is currently on going as we speak! The Benfica Juniors team (U19) have just advanced out of the group stages in the UEFA Youth League. They defeated the likes of PSG, Olimpiakos, and Anderlecht winning the group with 14 points 4 wins, 2 draws, 15 goals scored and only allowing in 5 goals. They will now face Austria Wien in the round of 16. For this U-19 team to win the first even U19 UEFA Champions League would be a huge motivation for Benfica’s youth of today and for tomorrow. It would also send a message for future Benfica players that winning is possible.

Romrio Balde

- There are multiple names that come to mind when we discuss Benfica’s future. Bernardo Silva has been named the future number 10 in which Benfica has not seen since the likes of Pablo Aimar or even Rui Costa. Andre Gomes has been the topic of much discussion as a definitive replacement for Nemanja Matic. When Helder Costa is not rapping with his house mate Ivan Cavaleiro or scoring goals for the B Team there is much potential for him to be a future striker for our main team especially at a time in which Rodrigo, Oliveira, and possibly Cardozo may be transferred within the next year or so.

- The future looks promising for Benfica. Perhaps by 2020 Benfica will have a near perfect vision of their future. Regardless of how many trophies this team wins over the next few years while these players continue to develop we will look to the future with much pride as most of our players will be “Made In Benfica.”

2013 - The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly ... Mostly Ugly

 

Whether we want to admit it or not, it was clear that 2013 was a disappointing year for Benfica. Although, some good came to us throughout the year, the negative outweighed the positive. It is still important as fans not to let the pessimistic attitudes distract us from getting behind this team in 2014. After all 2014 is another year and we must look forward and continue to show our support for this team. It's terrible that Benfica are out of the UEFA Champions League, in a year in which we are hosting the final, however there are still four possible titles at hand and although the 2013/14 got off to a rocky start, the season has not been decided yet and the team doesn't want to go through a winning less year as they have in the past.

Although Benfica ended the 2012/13 season with a record of 24wins 5 draws and only 1 loss, their impressive record was still not enough to surpass FC Porto who won the league with only 2 points more then Benfica resulting in a third straight year as league champions. So where did it all go wrong? well, here are the last 20 days of the season in which as Benfica fans we endured a series of disappointments.

No Treble

 

 

May 6, 2013 - Match day 28, Benfica hosted Estoril on a Monday to over 60, 000 fans. A win would of been very important to Benfica as they would of spent eight consecutive match days at number 1 in the league but also, a win against Estoril would basically ensure the championship to Benfica a title in which they have not won since 2009/10 season.

The game ended in 1-1 draw and although Benfica remained first place, it would now be a win or a tie away against FC Porto which wold clinch them the league title. What was constant with this result is that Benfica continues to struggle against small teams by underestimating them. Although looking back at this game it was Estoril's defence (led by Steven Vitoria who would ironically enough join Benfica in the up and coming season) that gave Benfica a harder time then their offence.

May 12, 2013 - Match day 29, FC Porto vs Benfica in a game which would decide the league title. Benfica needed to win or tie to keep their championship dreams alive. Although tied 1-1 until the 90 +2" it was Kelvin scoring the winning goal in which JJ and all of the Benfica Nation dropped to their knees in heartache. Yet again a third consecutive season in which Benfica came so close but were unable to surpass FC Porto to win the league. More heartache was still to come.

May 15, 2013 - UEFA Europa League Final Benfica vs. Chelsea in Amsterdam. Although Benfica were unable to advance out of the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, they were able to have a successful campaign in the Europa League as they surpassed the likes of Newcastle, Marseille, and Fehnerbache to advance to the finals in Amsterdam. As "mediocre" of a title as the Europa Cup may be to some critics, it is still a UEFA title in which both teams would be happy to take home.

Benfica were also lucky on this day after goals scored by Cardozo and Torres, Benfica were in the 90+2" minute preparing to defend a corner and getting into the mindset of extra time or perhaps PK to decide this title when Ivanovich scored the winning goal making Chelsea the big winners in Amsterdam. Benfica has no luck against Chelsea as they were defeated a year prior in the quarter finals of the Champions League.

May 26, 2013 - National Stadium, Jamor, Benfica vs. Guimaraes. This was the first time in 9 years in which Benfica made it to the final of the Portugal Cup. The League, and UEFA Europa Cup were now in the past and this Portugal Cup was the only opportunity Jorge Jesus had to have the team regain their confidence in the team. Gaitan opened the score in the 30" but in the last 10 minutes of the game Guimaraes scored two goals causing Benfica to lose the Portugal Cup 2-1.

Jorge Jesus

 

 

As frustrating as it was to watch Benfica lose the treble in the final 20 days of the 2012/13 season, the main issue of Benfica's failures was Jorge Jesus.

Benfica played great footy all year round especially in a year in which they lost most of their mid Javi Garcia and Axel Witsel. Jorge Jesus stubbornness and changing tactics is what created problems on the pitch. This was especially evident during the Portugal Cup game.

Oscar Cardozo pushing JJ after losing the Portugal Cup should of made Jesus realize his foolish tactical decisions throughout that game. It made no sense to sub your best goal scorer Oscar Cardozo in the 69th minute for Urreta a winger which has not played enough games throughout the season to come in and make an impact in the last 20 minutes of the game. Enzo coming off in the 86th minute for Aimar would of made for a better sending off if Aimar got to play at least more then 10 minutes in every game throughout the season. This is Jorge Jesus and trying to figure out his every move does not make much sense.

We can criticize these three big games and question Jorge Jesus decision making and I can accept the fact that perhaps the Benfica defense did not cover Ivanovich properly to allow Chelsea to win the Europa League and I can accept that it may of been bad defending or bad luck which cause Kelvin to score the winning goal for FC Porto in the 92" minute but underestimating Estoril and losing the Cup to Guimaraes were situations in which could of been avoided by substituting in the proper players during the Gumaraes game and by changing to a more attacking formation while the game was tied against Estoril so that Benfica could of pressed more and not settle for a tie.

 

 

Half of the 2013/14 season has come and gone and Jorge Jesus is still with us. A 4-3-3 formation seems to produce results when it is implemented but Jesus would much rather enforce a 2 man midfield which has produced mediocre wins and unnecessary draws in league games and an early dismissal in the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League.

After discussing this constantly on the Talking To The Doll: Benfica Podcast we have all agreed that the 4-3-3 formation works. The third man in allows for an evenly, better distributed ball creating more opportunities for the team to create chances to score. Secretly Jesus must know that 4-3-3 works. Speaking hypothetically of course, perhaps Jesus feels the need to change his team's formation so that the opposing team can't predict his strategy or formation. The problem is although Benfica have only conceded one lost in league competition their results have been decent at times but mostly mediocre.  

 

Going into Match day 15 against FC Porto, Benfica are currently involved in a three way tie at 33 points with the big three. Looking back at these results, Benfica should be on top of the league with 40 points only allowing for a drop of points with a draw against Sporting Lisbon. There was no reason as to why Benfica had to lose points by drawing to Arouca, and Belenenses. Benfica often struggles against smaller teams it's as if they expect these teams to lay down for Benfica but it's when these smaller teams play their best is against Benfica.   

 

2014

 

 

Benfica begin the first part of 2014 with some tough challenges ahead of them. The loss of one of their top goal scorers Oscar Cardozo has allowed Lima and Rodrigo in a position to step up and put their names on the tally sheet. Lima is currently Benfica's top goal scorer with 7 goals, Rodrigo with 4. To make matters worse Benfica's top midfield Nemanja Matic may be on his way out as teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Napoli are rumoured to show interest in the 25 year old Serbian midfielder.

 

In terms of talent Benfica are not lacking talent nor depth. With the arrival of such players as Filip Djuricic, Lbjumir Fejsa, Miralem Sulejmani, and Lazar Markovic it is surprising that Benfica are not blowing away the competition, instead they are struggling to surpass Sporting, and FC Porto in the league standings and lose unnecessary points to smaller clubs.

 

I am of the belief that although unconvincing thus far, Benfica have the capabilities to reinvent themselves throughout the second half of the season. Regardless of who arrives and departs from the club in January, Benfica cannot afford to lose the league for a fourth season in a row. Ideally I would like to predict that Benfica will win all 4 available titles but Benfica have a good chance of winning at least 2 out of the 4 potential titles. I base this is on the fact that upon the arrival of Jorge Jesus, Benfica have only won 1 league championship and 3 Portuguese league cup titles and losing a fourth consecutive year to FC Porto will upset many fans (who may yet again lose interest in the team for the upcoming season continuing to cause poor attendance at the Luz) but also Benfica's key players may become even more frustrated with the team's lack of success and may decide to go elsewhere. Such players as Salvio, Matic, Garay, Gaitan, John have all been rumoured to a move to the EPL. The departure of quality players is always evident but too much change at once can be more detrimental to a team then compensating for a quick cash grab. For example; although Tottenham sold Gareth Bale for a record high transfer fee, the money has not compensated for the teams mediocre season thus far. 

 

If you look at the 2012/13 season Benfica were in first place for 17 out of the 30 matchday's in the Liga including 8 consecutive weeks from 21-28. Although Benfica have yet to clinch first place this season, the season is not over yet and depending on the results against FC Porto and Sporting, winning the league is not a far fetched idea considering Benfica have beaten Sporting already (Portuguese Cup) and FC Porto have less depth and are just as mediocre as Benfica.

 

The relationship between  coach and players is clearly distant on Benfica. Benfica with or without JJ need to move forward and win the league  if not for the fans then themselves. For a team to get results the players need to believe in their coach and the system that he is implementing on the pitch and the coach needs to have faith in his players. None of this is currently happening at the club as player individuality is coming out in players like Matic, and Jesus has no faith in certain players.  Although Benfica have the depth (Djuricic, John are missing factors) and the tools (a 4-3-3 formation when appropriate) to blow away even the toughest of competitors, lack of unity is what is hurting this team.   Is there such a thing as Jesus performing a New Year's Miracle?

Looking ahead in the new  year, I will be looking at the much talked about best youth system in Portugal. I'll give you a hint, it's not Sporting Lisbon.