Benfica seek to shatter Porto dynasty

Benfica seek to shatter Porto dynasty

The outcome of a whole season of hard graft for Eagles and Dragons alike will likely be decided in the Portuguese capital on Sunday afternoon when Benfica host FC Porto for what is effectively a title decider.

However, what is at stake at the Estádio da Luz could well be much more than the 2014/15 championship, as Benfica aim to strike another blow signalling the end of Porto's domination of Portuguese football. 

PortuGOAL previews the Clássico. 

 

The stakes

The stakes could hardly be higher. Despite losing over half their treble-winning starting XI from last season, Benfica have been leading the Primeira Liga from the front from the very start. Should the Lisbon giants remain there until the end of the season it will be their first back-to-back championships for over three decades - since 1982/83 and 1983/84 to be precise. 

It will further confirm Benfica's newfound ability to compete with Porto toe to toe, lending more weight to the argument that Porto's overwhelming domination of Portuguese football has come to an end, and fuelling talk of a definitive power shift.

For Porto, failure to reel in Benfica despite the fact their rivals' squad is significantly less star-studded in comparison to recent seasons will be felt acutely, especially after the Dragons re-tooled at great expense in the close season. Indeed, president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa said only a few months ago that he considered Porto's squad to be the best in his 33-year reign as the club supremo. 

So ending the season trophy-less, and facing the imminent departure of the team's three best players this season, Danilo, Jackson Martínez and Óliver Torres, will be a massive body blow to the northerners. 

 

The permutations

Leaders Benfica are three points ahead of 2nd-placed Porto heading into the game, with four matches remaining after Sunday's joust. In Portugal if teams are level on points the tie-breaker is the head-to-head record, with Benfica also holding the advantage in that department thanks to a 2-0 victory at the Dragão back in December. Therefore, a win or even a draw for Benfica will leave Jorge Jesus's side well placed to lift the crown, with a 6 or 3-point lead respectively, which effectively is a 7 or 4-point gap. Even if Benfica lose by one goal, they will remain top. 

Hence, to overhaul their foes from the capital Porto must win by three clear goals, or by 2 goals while scoring more than two, i.e. 1-3, 2-4, etc. If Porto match Benfica's 0-2 victory from the first match, the two teams will be level on points and with an equal head-to-head record, so goal difference then comes into play. 

It appears a tough ask for Porto, but a look back at recent history will boost their confidence. In both 2011/12 and 2012/13 the Dragons led by Vítor Pereira clawed their way back to snatch the title from Benfica's grasp as JJ's team suffered late collapses. Kelvin's 92-minute winner at the end of the 2012/13 season provided an astonishing finale to that particular season in a scenario not wholly different from now... 

 

The form guide

Benfica come into the match in fine form, winning 9 and losing 1 of their last 10 matches in all competitions. Moreover, they have been in magnificent form all season at home, winning 13 and drawing one of their 14 games, amassing 40 goals in the process. 

Porto's last ten matches have yielded 7 wins, but a draw at Nacional and defeat at Marítimo revealed weaknesses, and their last match was an unmitigated disaster as they were destroyed 6-1 by Bayern Munich, albeit against arguably the finest side in Europe. How will Lopetegui's men respond?

 

The main men

Benfica: Nico Gaitán - the Argentine wizard is again enjoying a highly productive season and his endless creative talents will almost certainly dictate that he is the next man to make his way out of the Estádio da Luz in exchange for a huge transfer fee. He will surely be motivated to go with a bang, and with another championship winners medal in his suitcase. 

Porto: Jackson Martínez - the tie against Bayern Munich served to alert a worldwide audience to what everybody in Portugal already knew. Jackson Martínez is one of the game's top strikers, combining power, composure and a phenomenal work rate. If Porto are to thrive on Sunday it's a good bet Jackson will be at the heart of it. 

 

The team news

Benfica's only injury doubt is winger Salvio. The Argentine looks unlikely to feature after a muscle strain kept him out of the Belenenses match last week, and training all this week. Jesus thus faces a decision to make a straight swap with Ola John (who did his chances little good with a poor display at the Restelo) or to bolster the base of his midfield by drafting in either Ruben Amorim, André Almeida or Fejsa alongside Samaris. 

Porto are still without Spanish winger Cristian Tello, but both full-backs Danilo and Alex Sandro will come back into the team after missing the Bayern match through suspension. There is some speculation that veteran goalkeeper Helton may replace Fabiano, who hardly covered himself in glory in Bavaria. 

 

The quotes

Eliseu, Benfica left-back: "We're in this together and we're prepared for everything. Sunday is one of our most decisive days on the road to no. 34" (Benfica have won 33 championship titles)

Ricardo Quaresma, FC Porto winger: "Our motivation will overcome our tiredness. We have to go to the Luz and win if we want to win something this season."

 

Probable starting line-ups:

Benfica: Júlio César, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Jardel, Eliseu, Samaris, Amorim, Pizzi, Gaitán, Jonas, Lima

FC Porto: Fabiano, Danilo, Maicon, Marcano, Alex Sandro, Casemiro, Herrera, Olíver Torres, Brahimi, Quaresma, Jackson Martínez

by Tom Kundert 

 

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