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Friday, 22 April 2011 15:06

Pacos de Ferreira v Benfica Bwin Cup final preview

Rui Vitoria: “The smaller teams can also play a bit”

Pacos de Ferreira and Benfica go head to head in the Bwin Cup final tomorrow evening. The Eagles will be aiming to claim the trophy for the third successive year, while Pacos are gunning to earn their first ever piece of silverware. 

“We want to win it, although we know that we will be facing up to Benfica, who are the stronger team. But the smaller teams can also play a bit. We are going to enjoy our moment in the final, always with the ambition to win it” said Pacos coach Rui Vitoria.  
 
“We accept that Benfica are very strong, but a final is a final. We want to show that what we did over the season has been very good and we want to put our best football into practice tomorrow.”
 
Vitoria’s opposite number, Jorge Jesus, admitted a difficult hurdle for his players will be lifting themselves psychologically after the 3-1 defeat to FC Porto on Wednesday – a loss that saw them crash out of the Portuguese Cup.

Jorge Jesus and Rui Vitoria“The most complicated aspect is the emotional side of things. Last year we won the final when we had the same number of days to prepare for it, but we were coming off the back of a win at Marseille, with morale sky high. But Benfica’s players are experienced and we have this final which can bring us confidence for the Europa League.

“Pacos have shown they deserve to reach the final. They had teams who were bigger names in their group but they came through. We have more prestige, but what counts is what happens in the match,” said Jesus.  
 
Benfica will have to make do without Nico Gaitan, who joins Salvio, Ruben Amorim and Nuno Gomes on the unavailable list, due to injury. Although Benfica suffered the demoralising cup defeat in midweek, Pacos are also far from firing on all cylinders ahead of the match. The Castores have lost 4 and drawn 2 of their last 6 matches.
 
The final kicks off at 8.45pm in Coimbra tomorrow.
 
by Tom Kundert
 
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Comments (10)
Gaitan?
10 Sunday, 24 April 2011 00:23
Mateus Florida USA
What's the status on this guy? How did he get injured?
BWIN CUP FINAL
9 Saturday, 23 April 2011 17:04
john/canada
I think Benfica will win 2-1 against Pacos de Ferriera BECAUSE Pacos played very well to get here but benfica I think will just be to hard for Pacos.In the end benfica will have better offence and defence cause they know they need confidence for the game against braga and they also need something to cheer them up from the loss to porto. 2011 BWIN CUP CHAMPIONS:BENFICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jardim
8 Saturday, 23 April 2011 16:07
Karl/Ireland
Brian

Braga never went for Jardim. Its all speculation. Rubbish tabloids spreading rumours. Nothing else
Pacos can and probably will win this
7 Saturday, 23 April 2011 14:49
Bryan/SCB
This is the night Rui Vitoria should make an exclamation mark on his value. He's a great manager and I'm surprised Braga went for Jardim. I would have gone for Rui Vitoria.

Pacos has quality... especially offensive quality to win this thing. With the psychological inbalance of Benfica, Benfica is emotionally unstable and Pacos needs to capitalize. It's now or never Pacos.
The big game
6 Saturday, 23 April 2011 08:47
Karl/Ireland
No matter which way Benfica look at it Pacos will be fired up for this no matter how bad there form has been. Has anybody considered that they may be saving them during the recent games avoiding injuries so they would be able to play on the biggest day of most of their football lives. Benfica have far too much firepower even with injuries to several players they should be too strong for Pacos. I don't think the 5-1 they handed out to Pacos a few weeks will be repeated but they should win comfortably. How comfortably may show how they approach Thursdays. If Pacos somehow manage to push Benfica then they may not be looking forward to Thursdays game with any confidence. Playing the extra two games will definitely have an impact this late in the season when it comes to Thursdays game.

Good luck for the game to both team and may the best team win.... er Pacos.. ;) They are the only one with an Irish player and a Braga player..
Gaitan?
5 Saturday, 23 April 2011 02:28
Mateus Florida USA
How did he get injured and when is he expected back?
Trophies
4 Friday, 22 April 2011 22:12
Fresh/Canada
Regardless of how little I find the importance of this competition I still want my team to win, but it won't save Jorge Jesus job thats for sure.
Quote of the Day
3 Friday, 22 April 2011 21:31
Orlando Mac
"I continue to work with the same passion and wisdom. We have gained an identity, international prestige, passion and quality football. All of that has been conquered since I arrived here."
Jorge Jesus (Benfica coach rejects notion that his job is in jeopardy)


Just read that, the only thing I would agree with that statement is he has passion.

Sorry to tell you Jorge but Benfica gained their International Prestige long before you...

Wisdom...lol
Quality Core
2 Friday, 22 April 2011 21:24
Orlando Mac
With the quality core of the team, Benfica should still win this, as long as JJ doesn't roll out one of his legendary line-ups.

I'm sure Luisao on the wings would provide strong coverage for the Frango of choice, and Peixoto as lone striker would be a suitable...lol

Anyways will be a lot of nervous fans after the results of the last month.

Forca SLB
BWIN Cup Final
1 Friday, 22 April 2011 21:04
SLBDanny/USA
If we win, and we better since Pacos form has hit rock bottom since their great start in 2011, I just want to see the players give a slight fist in the air, accept their medals and the Cup, and prepare for the EL first leg against Braga. Losing to Porto midweek definitely has the mood down for this game. I really wanted to win the Portuguese Cup more then the League Cup. The Portuguese Cup is the second most important and prestigious Cup to win in Portugal and it will always own the Mickey Mouse Cup that is the League Cup.

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