Tuesday, December 29, 2015

SL Benfica In 2015/16



For the first time in over 30 years, SL Benfica won the Portuguese Liga for two consecutive years in a row. Jorge Jesus and company worked hard throughout the 2014/15 season to change the guard over in Portugal to identify SL Benfica as the only team that mattered in Portugal. A much needed "Bi- Campeonato" for the Benfica Nation. In just a few weeks after SL Benfica won their 34th Portuguese Liga titles, their coach of six years Jorge Jesus did the unthinkable and not only leave SL Benfica but begin coaching Lisbon rivals Sporting CP.

SL Benfica went out and hired former SL Benfica youth coach nice guy Rui Vitoria. Although Vitoria's salary was much more reasonable then JJ's, In all fairness Vitoria on paper looked like a great option to replace JJ at the time. Former Sporting coach Marco Silva was also an option but soon joined Olimpiacos.

The 2015/16 Benfica pre-season started 22 weeks ago at The Seixal where 3,000 fans came to watch the first and only open practice to the public in which Benfica showcased some of their new talents and returning talents before embarking on a 5 match North American pre-season tour.Such newer faces for the 2015/16 squad included: Ederson (GK), Nelson Semedo (RB), Adel Taarabt (Mid), Mehdi Carcela (Winger), Renato Sanches (Mid), Nuno Santos (Forward), Raul (Forward), Mitroglu (Forward)



2015/16 Liga

Although the pre-season was terrible for SL Benfica (1 win, 4 loses in North America and a loss to Sporting in the Portuguese Super Cup) Benfica opened up Matchday #1 with a 4-0 win against Estoril. Although the scoreline was impressive the fans yet were not impressed with Benfica and their new coach. It was one week later in which Benfica lost 1-0 away to Arouca (a team who was recently playing in third division Portuguese soccer). Occasionally slip ups do occur to big clubs but these 3 points (along with a few others) may come back to haunt the club throughout the rest of the season.

It was Matchday #5 in which Benfica would lose another additional 3 points away to FC Porto. A game in which Benfica dominated the first half with possession and shots on net but were unable to create opportunities in the second half. FC Porto capitalized in the 86" resulting in a 1-0 loss. Then on Matchday #7 Benfica hosted Sporting and for the first time in almost two decades, Benfica were dominated and lost in an abmissal 3-0 performance. Sporting is now first place in the Portuguese Liga and continues to do so until Matchday #14 after suffering a loss to Uniao De Madeira.

SL Benfica end the first part of the 2015/16 season in third place with 31 points, Sporting in second place with 35 points and FC Porto in first with 36 points. Although coach Rui Vitoria is often blamed for this year's performance, SL Benfica currently are without such key players as; Salvio, Luisao., and Nelson Semedo. With Grimaldo just signing to SL Benfica from Barcelona and possibly some other changes on their way in the up and coming January transfer window, the 2015/16 season is still not over and SL Benfica can still turn it around. 


2015/16 UEFA Champions League

For the first time since the 2011/12 competition, SL Benfica have qualified out of the group stages of the UEFA Champions League and onto the Round Of 16. SL Benfica was unable to keep their first place position in Group C after losing to Atletico Madrid on Matchday #6. Although some may say SL Benfica's next opponent Zenit St. Petersburg may be a favourable opponent, during last season's home and away legs, SL Benfica were not only unable to defeat Zenit but were unable to score. 

With the Russian Pro League on a brief winter hiatus, SL Benfica may be able to catch Zenit off guard and advance to the Quarter - Finals a stage in which SL Benfica has not reached since 2011/12 losing to Chelsea. 

Currently SL Benfica have been awarded over 20 Million in cash prizes (according to Wikipedia) during this year's UEFA competition:

12,000,000 (Qualifying)
 4, 500,000 (3 Wins During Group Stage)
     500,000 (1 Draw During Group Stage)
5, 500, 000 (Reaching The Round of 16)


2015/16 UEFA Youth League

In it's third year of existence, the UEFA Youth League has been a consistently successful competition for SL Benfica. With the emergence of great talents in the past such as; Goncalo Guedes, Joao Teixeira, Renato Sanches, and Rochinha, the SL Benfica UEFA Youth League of 2015/16 will produce such future stars as; Hildeberto Perreira, Diogo Goncalves, Joao Lima and Goalkeeper Andre Ferreira. 

SL Benfica lost to Barcelona in the 2013/14 Final and were Quarter-Finalists in 2014/15. So far in this year's competition Benfica have set all time records defeating Astana 8-0 and Galatassaray 11-1. SL Benfica won the group with 16 points scoring 26 goals in 6 matches and only allowing in 3 goals. 

Based on the success of their Group performance, SL Benfica are currently one of the favorites to win this year's competition. SL Benfica continue to flourish with the success of their youth teams at The Seixal. 

Recently SL Benfica received an award at the 2015 Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai for Best Youth Academy. This is a title in which Barcelona has often been acknowledged for in the past. With Benfica's recent deal with NOS ($400 Million in 10 years) other then paying off debt, Benfica will most definitely continue to invest in their youth system.



Final Thoughts


Many Benfiquistas dream of winning a third consecutive league title for the 2015/16 season. The "Tri - Campeonato" still has many games to be played and mathematically SL Benfica are still within a title contention. With that being said Coach Rui Vitoria is in a rebuilding year with SL Benfica. Consistency or dare I say lack of has been a big part of this year's performance.


SL Benfica are strong at times and then weak during others. Losing to Arouca and drawing to Uniao De Madeira were unnecessary lost points that are needed to win the league. Losing away to FC Porto 1-0 was not as traumatic to the Benfica Nation as losing 3-0 at home to Sporting, something in which has not happen in almost 10 years.

SL Benfica right now have a top goal scorer in the league. Jonas has scored 13 goals in 14 matches. For a third place team this is a bit hard to grasp since ideally the top goal scorer in the league usually represents the top team in the league. SL Benfica also have the best goal difference in the league with +24 (+23 FC Porto, +17 Sporting).

Unfortunately there has been an early exit in this year's Portuguese Cup and although the Liga Cup is not as prestigious it is still silverware and is still within reach. Winning any silverware regardless of the prestige is always an accomplishment and celebration for the fans and for the club.  

Regardless if SL Benfica win the league or not, it is a rebuilding year and even if a mid-table finish occurs, Coach Rui Vitoria will not be fired. He has done great things in the UEFA Champions League and is giving an opportunity to such "Made In Benfica' players as; Renato Sanches, Nelson Semedo, and to a greater extent Goncalo Guedes. This is something in which the fans can appreciate since former coach Jorge Jesus rarely gave opportunities to youth players.

SL Benfica need to be consistent in the new year and treat each game as a final one game at a time. Losing to FC Porto or Sporting may not jeopardize their title as long as they consistently defeat the Arouca's and Uniao De Madeira's in the second half of the season.