Match day 17 will take place this Sunday February 9th, 2014 at the Estadio Da Luz. Benfica will host Sporting Lisbon in a epic battle for not only bragging rights between the two teams of Lisbon, but for first place supremacy in the Liga Zon Sagres. Benfica are currently 2 points ahead of Sporting and 4 against FC Porto.
Benfica have already defeated Sporting Lisbon this year in a league cup match in which we saw Benfica captain Luisão score a terrible goal off of his head as he was falling into the ground in which the ball rolled right through the legs of Lions goalkeeper Rui Patricio. "And this is the guy that is representing Portugal at net!" I protested to myself.
On Matchday 3 both teams drew 1-1 at the Alvalade with a questionable offside goal from MLS wonder kid Freddy Monteiro and a game saving goal from Benfica's Lazar Marković. This was also the game in which we last saw Eduardo Salvio who has been hurt ever since.
According to Wikipedia "The Derby de Lisboa"
"Sporting fans used to represent the wealthier society from Lisbon, while Benfica fans represented the working class. The rivalry originated back in 1907 when eight Benfica players switched to the Sporting side in search of better working conditions. The match is followed world-wide, with the game being transmitted live especially in the former Portuguese colonies."
We often criticize Benfica Forward Oscar "Tacuara|" Cardozo for being too passionate of a player. This guy loves Benfica and his passion for the team is evident during the derby. Cardozo scored a hat - trick at last season's derby at the Alvalade. It will definetly be one of the highlights of his career at Benfica in which The Benfica Nation will remember "Tacuara" for. It is no doubt that he will be a contributing factor to this Sunday's Lisbon Derby.
If Mister Jorge Jesus plays a 4-4-2 we may very well see this sort of lineup
Oblak (GK), Maxi (RB), Luisão Garay (CB), Siqueira (LB) Fejsa (CDM or a 6) Enzo (CM or a 8) Marković (RM) Gaitan (LM or vice versa) Lima (Behind ST), Cardozo (CF, ST up top)
Personally, I would like to see a 4-3-3 in which Cardozo plays up with Gaitan, Marković on the wings. Fejsa stays right where he is with Enzo and Ruben Amorim also in the middle. If Sporting also plays a 4-3-3 perhaps a Benfica 4-4-2 is more logical since it has been working as of late with the excellent form of Marković, and assists made almost every game by Gaitan.
Sporting Lisbon are going into this match without William Carvalho one of their best (and Portugal's best) CDM who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season. (5 yellows = 1 matchday suspension) They are also without LB Jefferson who picked up a knock during last week's match against Academica De Coimbra. Coach Leonardo Jardim will have alternative solutions to these conflicts as Sporting will more then likely 21 year old Englsh CB Eric Dier as a possible CDM in Carvalho's absence and Ivan Piris should replace Jefferson.
There has been much talk about 27 year old Egyptian midfielder Shikabala who has been compared to the likes of Arjen Robben and can play in many different roles. He has yet to play with the Sporting Lisbon jersey and also ex- Maritimo FWD Heldon is one of the league's top scorers as well.
Although Sporting has not defeated Benfica at the Luz since January 28, 2006 coach Leonardo Jardim has turned this team around this year. This is not the same Sporting which at one point we thought were going to fold or go to third division last season. Jardim took over this team mostly comprised of youth academy players and turned them into a success. Something in which previous coaches were unable to do.
Looking at previous results a tie is a more likely outcome but I we look at our rivals from the North they will be facing a weak opposition of Pacos De Ferreira this weekend. A win for them with a tie in Lisbon puts them 2 points behind Benfica and tied for 2nd with Sporting.
For a Benfica blog, Sporting has got way too much praise and it ends now. Benfica is coming off a 1-0 League Cup victory over Penafiel they must continue to build their momentum and protect their first place position in the Liga Zon Sagres. As important as the win was over FC Porto, this is the most important game in the League. If the Portuguese League was trying to get a big TV Contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars (Euros, pounds, whatever) this would be the match to advertise. Especially this one which again is not only the Lisbon Derby but will decide first place in Portugal. Anything less then a 3 goal victory will not be accepted for me at least. Benfica must score early and play to win. If we have to play the Eusébio card then so be it.
It is crucial that Benfica is victorious because a win at home to Sporting will continue to build momentum and closer to a 2013/14 League Title. The only other wish after these two rival victories would be defeating FC Porto on the last match of the season in May at the Estadio Do Ladrão which to me would be the icing on the cake.
I briefly wrote prior to last year's derby in April. You can find that link below.
Also Nuno Gomes comments on this weekend's derby
