Tuesday, December 16, 2014

FC Porto 0 - SL Benfica 2 - 2014-12-14



There are those moments in our lives which will touch us forever and we will never ever forget for as long as we live. The birth of our children, a wedding day, or just any moment of celebration. For The Benfica Nation, each one of us throughout the world has their own special memory that has forever left a mark. Some remember the back to back Champions League victory of the 60's in which we saw a teenage African boy named Eusebio hoist the trophy. The famous Joao Pinto or Cardozo hat trick against Sporting. For other fans it could of been your first time watching a Benfica game in person at the Luz. Whether you are a new Benfica fan of 6, 16, or 76 years of age, anyone who is a fan and witnessed yesterday's game at The Estádio do Dragão in Porto will forever be touched by this historic result.
 
Personally, I will always remember this day because while I was watching this game in my hometown of Toronto, Canada I was amongst family out celebrating my parents 50th year wedding anniversary. Tears of joy, happiness, and an over abundance of emotions were a constant throughout the day. I could not believe that not only was I able to celebrate a milestone in my family, but I was at a restaurant celebrating with the people who I loved the most a rare victory from my "Glorious" team. I was like a kid in a candy store and could not ask for a better day.
 
AGAINST ALL ODDS
 
Going into this game, Benfica (although first place in the Portuguese League) were in poor spirits. They had just drawn a scoreless match at home against Bayer Leverkussen in their last (meaningless) game in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. An early exit out of all UEFA competition's and a not so convincing first place performance in the league have left fans wondering if this team has what it takes to become repeat champions in the Portuguese League. Benfica has not won the double since 1982/83 and 1983/84 under the ruling of Swede Mastermind Sven-Göran Eriksson.

There were also fans, journalists, critics, who although supported Benfica did not believe that this team could beat the almighty Dragons of the north. Social media was rampant throughout the week as the league appointed ex - FC Porto socio Jorge Sousa to officiate the match up. This had every Benfica fan worried as FC Porto has been known in the past to influence the refs with bribes to achieve a favourable result.  Julien Lopetegui is the mastermind behind FC Porto who has brought in such talented players as Brahimi, and Christian Tello. FC Porto's 4-3-3 is no match for Benfica's 4-4-2. Even my Benfica brothers at Benfica Podcast all acknowledged on the pod leading up to the game that FC Porto's squad is far greater then Benfica's. I disagreed stated that Salvio, and Nico Gaitan would smoke any of FC Porto's wingers and that the only tactical formation Julien Lopategui would implement is "Tic Tac Toe not the infamous "Tiki Taka."

I knew I needed luck going into this game. So I brought out my lucky Benfica watch given to me by a man I love and respect just as much as my old man, my old lady's old man JMP. I also wore my lucky custom made "O Glorioso" Nike shoes (I know, some poor kids in Indonesia were exploited in making these shoes, but these kicks are ridiculous) that were given to me by my brother as a token for his appreciation for being the best man at his wedding a few years back. "With great power comes great responsibility" and I knew these lucky charms wouldn't work everytime but now I begin to imagine what the outcome of the game would be had I not had these lucky charms. I did my part the rest was all up to my team.



THE GAME

As the players came onto the pitch and I saw such players as Jardel, Samaris, and Lima all start for Benfica I was not as confident as I was earlier that day when I put on my lucky shoes and watch. Regardless, I knew a tie was not out of the question and unlike previous years Benfica went into this game away at Porto with a 3 point advantage. The pressure this time around was directed at FC Porto and not SL Benfica.

The first 30 minutes were not easy to watch as in any FC Porto vs Benfica "Classico." Leading League goal scorer Jackson Martinez set up Alex Sandro who was shut down by a tremendous save from Julio Cesar. This would be one of his very few saves throughout the match. It was no doubt at that very moment I felt that if Benfica were going to lose the game it would not be from our confident goal keeping abilities of Julio Cesar but of a mistake made at the defensive line (Jardel), or a favourable call from what we all thought was a corrupt referee.

In the 35" Maxi had a throw in which landed in front of Lima in which he was able to land passed Porto's GK Fabiano and into the back of the net it was now 1-0 and we were all in disbelief that Lima was able to score the opening goal in Benfica's most important game of the 2014/15 season. Lima a player who has been criticised this season for being out of form, and reluctant to score goals due to the fact that he no longer had such talents as Cardozo and Rodrigo helping him score goals. This would not be Benfica's only "fluke" goal as some of the FC Porto fans made comments at a nearby table, in the 55" Tallisca was stopped by Fabiano and it was Lima who yet again was able to counter and capitalize on the lose ball in front of the net making it 2-0 at the Dragão for Benfica? We could not believe what we were seeing. Aside from a few cup games in recent history Benfica have only been victorious at the Dragão once in almost an entire decade in league completion. It was Nuno Gomes who also netted a brace at the Dragão on matchday 6 October 15, 2005 (another great Benfica memory)

FC Porto were not lucky this past weekend and although they have tremendous talent, they were simply unable to come back against a dominant Benfica. How were Benfica dominant you may ask? Clearly coach Jorge Jesus did his homework and was able to cover up any lose holes in the midfield. Benfica attacked and unlike previous years were able to creat chances. Tallisca although did not score, his shot on net resulted in Lima getting the rebound goal. Enzo continues to show that he is a very important part of Benfica's midfield alongside Samaris who upon his arrival lacked confidence but is now starting to show that he was worth the 10M transfer fee that Benfica acquired him for.

Benfica may not have dominated in possession as FC Porto ended the game with 59% ball possession and  had more shots on target (4 vs 1) Benfica capitalize when it counted creating the result that they did and for once in a very long time they were well prepared and not afraid of losing points. It was FC Porto's chance to redeem themselves and prove that they are as great as everyone gives them credit for. Even after the game FC Porto coach is still convincing himself and everyone else that they will still win the 2014/15 Portuguese League. It is still early to celebrate and with 21 league matches to go anything is still possible.

GOING FORWARD

Losing to Benfica now gives Benfica an advantage over FC Porto not just with point advantages but with mindset. This was a  huge burden lifted off of Benfica' shoulders. Benfica go into 2015 confident with a 6 point lead but may still struggle against the likes of SC Braga, and Guimaraes who have been in excellent form. With no UEFA to worry about, Benfica need to be well prepared against every opponent to reclaim "the double" a memory in which the fans wish to experience over 30 years later.



 

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Where Is Benfica's Steven Vitória?

 
 
 
The weekly ongoing joke during the Benfica Podcast is the whereabouts of Toronto born defender Steven Vitória. We (The Benfica Nation) are concerned about the whereabouts of the 26 year old centre back and I have took it upon myself to find out his whereabouts.

Steven Vitória was born on January 11, 1987 in Toronto, Canada. Steven began playing at a young age and showed great talent and had a height advantage as he is 6'5" by age 18 he was scouted by FC Porto while playing for the Woodbridge (Jersey Shore outside of Toronto) Strikers. His time at FC Porto consisted of loans to such lower division teams as Tourizense, Olhanese, and Sporting Colvilhã. He eventually left FC Porto after four seasons and signed to lower division side Estoril Praia in which he became a breakthrough player. During the 2012/13 season Vitória scored 11 goals helping the Marco Silva side gain a birth in the UEFA Europa League. Although 8 of those goals were PK's, Vitória began getting noticed and talked about throughout the league. After an impressive performance during a league game in May of 2012 when Estoril tied Benfica at the Luz contributing to Benfica's disappointing 2nd place finish, Benfica signed Vitória on June 16, 2014 to a four year contract.

It was reported in the summer that Vitória was spotted at an airport in Philadelphia. Although he reported to training camp and passed all medical exams, Steven has not trained with the team or appeared in a Benfica jersey since the end of last season Although a possibility, No injuries have been reported. Was there a fall out with Benfica coach Jorge Jesus? Perhaps, but if Nélson Oliveira can be forgiven for the criticism him and his dad made last season about JJ's lack of minutes for Portuguese born players, then Steven should also be forgiven.

In an episode aired last season of Alta Fidelidade (for some reason is no longer available) , Vitoria mentioned to the host that he was expecting a child. Perhaps, Steven took some time off to focus on parenthood and being a great father and husband?

The reality of the situation is at the moment Steven's role at Benfica is minimal. Even if he is available to play he will more then likely get an occasional start on the B team at best. Benfica have the likes of Lisandro, Jardel, and César to accompany Luisão in the centre back role. Although, we often question the talent of César and notice the crucial mistakes Jardel makes on a weekly basis, if JJ has not given Vitória a chance by now he never well.

Shortly after his arrival at SL Benfica, I wrote an article comparing Vitória to former Benfica star Fernando Aguiar. What fascinated me about Aguiar (Portuguese born) was his commitment to playing for the Canadian National Team. This is something in which Vitoria (and most Luso Canadians) have failed to do and that is recognize that there is a place to help build this National Team. It is true that Canada did neglect Vitória for many years and by the time they were interested in calling him up he was already a player at FC Porto and decided to use his dual citizenship and wait for a call up to the Seleção. Besides the 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup held in Canada, Vitória has failed to represent the call ups. Unfortunately, he may never get that call up as he is currently receiving zero playing time. Even if JJ was playing Vitoria, would he be an option over Pepe, Fonte, Carvalho, Neto, Alves or any other Portuguese CB star? The answer quite simply is no.

On a personal note my 16 year old nephew plays with a Benfica jersey here in Toronto. He represents the Casa Do Benfica in Toronto. If for some reason he does end up playing pro he has already made his decision that he will take his chances and wait for a chance to be called up by The Seleção. As someone who is Canadian born this breaks my heart, why would anyone not want to represent their country in a professional level? The one answer  I always get is that it is either related to politics and that it's not attractive to play for Team Canada but playing elsewhere is fine. I point my finger to not only Steven Vitória, but to Jonathon De Guzman, Junior Hoilett, Daniel Fernandes, Owen Hargreaves,    and to some degree Asmir Begovic (played for Canada Juniors) and Bryan Cristante (Toronto born Father)

Steven Vitoria's days at Benfica may be over. Although his dad is rumoured to be a loyal Benfiquista, but he may find himself broken hearted as his son will most likely end up elsewhere. On the bright side there are many other red jersies to wear in Portugal outside of the big 3 to brighten up his career. SC Braga, SC Olhanese, and Gil Vicente are only a few. Perhaps Vitoria can take his talent across the Atlantic and like his fellow Benfica mates Yannick Djálo, Estrela, and Rafael Ramos contribute to building a prosperous league which continues to flourish and increase in popularity annually the MLS. Toronto FC will be rebuilding for a ninth season, I'm just saying