A Football Report

Benfica hopes to fly away from the Gutmann curse

By Dominic Vieira

There’s a curse in Lisbon known as the ‘Guttman Curse’, named after the Hungarian manager who led Benfica to back-to-back European titles in the early 60s. That was 51 years ago in Amsterdam, where the legendary quadruple consisting of Aguas, Coluna, Eusebio and Simoes, sunk Real Madrid 5-3, to place Benfica as one of the leaders of world football. And following Bela Guttman’s second trophy, he left the club.

Benfica went on to become one of the clubs that has lost the most European finals, 5 to be precise. But their last presence in a final was the 1990 European Cup Final, losing 1-0 to Arrigo Sacchi’s AC Milan - which was arguably viewed as the best team in the world at that time. Despite qualifying for their eighth European final, it was evident that Benfica were not at the level or quality that won them greatness in the 60s.

23 years later and the club is back on a stage that they used to visit much more often. Much has changed since their last visit; a new stadium, Porto rising and dominating the domestic football, overcoming their financial troubles and having a much larger South American presence amongst their squad.

Read More

Amsterdam awaits x AFR Giveaway

The location. The two giant clubs clashing. The Europa League final promises to be a night to remember. Benfica have to pick themselves up after possibly conceding the Liga Sagres title in the 92nd minute in their 2-1 loss to Porto. Chelsea will have one eye on a new Champions League charge next season. It’s not the Champions League, but these two sides have produced some of the most entertaining football the world has seen this season.

And we have another reason to tune-in. As part of their post-season tour, Chelsea are traveling to another city with Dutch roots, playing against Man City at Yankee Stadium after the Champions League on Saturday, May 25th. Before the friendly, Yankee Stadium will host a viewing party, showing the Champions League on their 59 foot high screen. We’ve been given a few tickets for the match. So, we’re going to give them away. If you’re not in NYC, you probably know someone who is. Be a good friend.

Right, contest details. Plenty of eyes are on David Luiz for tonight’s final, so tell us if you think he will a) Score b) Earn a yellow card c) Both d) Neither/Other (we reward creativity). Tweet @afootballreport or comment on this article to enter. And enjoy the match. Boa sorte, Benfiquistas and Blues! [More information on the friendly here. GIF by Dale con Comba.. Art by Luke Barclay. Send questions to Eric]

Lisbon in flames / A Chama Imensa

This is a new one for us. A few nights ago, a leader of Benfica’s ultras dropped us an email. The Benfica Ultras are these guys, as a reminder. Benfica’s road to Amsterdam, the home of this year’s Europa League Final, continues in Turkey tonight against Fenerbahce, home to some of the most passionate and devoted fans in the world.

Here’s part of what was sent our way: “Dear AFR, as you probably know, this can be a dream season for all Benfica fans. Benfica is much more than a club, it’s a religion and being an “Benfiquista” it’s a feeling that can’t be explained.

Being a “Benfiquista” is to have a huge flame in your soul. Benfica is that and much more and that is why it is said “Benfiquistas” have inside them the “Huge Flame” - Chama Imensa (in Portuguese). That brings me to the reason why i’m writing you this message. That is the name an unofficial motivation video fully designed, filmed and edited by members and supporters of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. 

It was filmed anonymously throughout Lisbon.”

Benfica are in flying form this year; unbeaten on a domestic level, with their 12th man always being behind Jorge Jesus’ side. Tonight they will be outnumbered and outsung, but despite the minority, we’ll see if Benfica’s flame will stay lit in one of Europe’s most intimidating environments. Eles acreditam. [Posted by Eric and Dom]

Is the third time the charm for Benfica in Catalunya?

When there’s one match remaining on the Champions League group calendar and it’s a must-win fixture, traveling to Barcelona is always a colossal challenge for any team and certainly not the ideal scenario. Tonight we see Benfica take on this imperious side at the Camp Nou for the third time in their history, where they’ve lost on both previous visits.

They first met in the final year of the now-defunct European Cup, the 1991/92 season, where Benfica faced an incredible Barcelona side, known as the ‘Dream Team’. The hosts won the encounter 2-1 and Johan Cruyff led the club to Wembley where they conquered their first European title. 

14 years later and Benfica walked out onto the Camp Nou to battle the second-leg of the Champions League quarter-final. Following a hard fought 0-0 draw in Lisbon, this was an open game, although the odds were always against ‘O Glorioso’. To no surprise, Benfica were outclassed by another outstanding Barcelona side with Ronaldinho dazzling at his golden best. And once again, they marched forwards and lifted their second European title in Paris.

Unlike the two previous meetings, Barcelona does not need a victory tonight, but that doens’t mean it’ll be an easy match, even if key players are rested. Barcelona are flying, Tito Vilanova has enjoyed a milestone-breaking campaign in La Liga so far, accumulating 40 points from 14 fixtures. If the club’s magical football or clinical form doesn’t crush Benfica - then Leo probably will. While he’s not starting, Messi is expected to play tonight, and he’ll be terrorising his opponents as per usual, alongside an aim to surpass Gerd Muller’s historic record of 85 goals in a calendar year. 

With Celtic playing at home against Spartak, a victory is expected from them, meaning Benfica must to win to qualify. Anything is possible - this is the Champions League and tonight Benfica must play like ‘um gigante’ - replicating a performance they produced against Manchester United this time 7 years ago. CARREGA BENFICA!

[Posted by Dominic, probably Benfica’s most passionate fan]

Today, The Champions League formally returns. It’s the last step for a few European giants to reach the Group Stage of Europe’s elite competition or be relegated into the Europa League.

Matches this afternoon include: Arsenal v. Udinese. BATE Borisov v. SK Sturm Graz. Copenhagen v. Pizen. Lyon v. Rubin Kazan. FC Twente v. Benfica. 

Tomorrow the drama continues with Bayern Munich v. FC Zürich, Dinamo Zagreb v. Malmo FF, Maccabi Haifa v. Racing Genk, Odense BK v. Villarreal, and Wisla Krakow v. Apoel Nicosia.

It’s time to get the epic “Championsssssss!” tune stuck in your head once more! Hooray!