Benfica have spent much of this season living in the shadow of Porto, but for all their failings in the Premeira Liga know that Europa League success will just about appease their discontented support.
The Eagles secured a third successive Portuguese League Cup on Saturday, beating minnows Pacos de Ferreriera 2-1 at the Estadio Cidade de Coimbra, but the celebrations were muted to say the least.
A section of support turned their back on the team as they celebrated before throwing captain Luisao’s shirt back at him as he threw it into the crowd.
Luisao later branded it a “lack of respect” before delievering a gushing interview to the club’s official website about the cup win being for the fans.
But the message was clear, finishing behind Porto - 19 points with three games remaining - in such convincing fashion is simply not acceptable.
Coach Jorge Jesus is acutely aware of this and hopes cup success can act as a tonic in continental competition - albeit against a fellow Portuguese side.
Jesus said: “The complicated part is the emotional levels. Last year we won the final with the same number of days of preparation, but we came from Marseille, with strong emotional levels.
“But Benfica’s players are experienced and this final that can convey confidence for the Europa League”.
Braga are of course underdogs for the tie but having bounced into the competition by virtue of elimination from the Champions League, like Benfica, have accumalated a wealth of experience this season.
Excitement has not been the order of the day as the Archbishops have scored just four goals in six games, but crucially have conceded just two.
Domingos Paciencia is consequetly likely to sit back and nullify Benfica’s strong attacking threat before trying to hit them on the counter with Brazilian duo Alan and Lima.
Especially considering key striker Paulo Cesar is suspended after picking up a red card in the quarter-final victory over Dynamo Kiev.
by James Piercy (Source)
