SL Benfica - Bringing back the Golden Times

[Deslandes]

November Update

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NOVEMBER UPDATE​

EUROPA LEAGUE
Group Stage - 4th fixture​

Benfica 1-1 Lille
Cardozo 29'
Hazard 79'​

We have all the reasons not to be happy with this result, even because this draw put an end to our winning streak in Europa League. However, we dominated and are very close to the qualification to the next round, which can only be stopped by a miracle. Besides, in their goal We hadn't a chance, they caught us while attacking and Hazard didn't fail...

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LIGA SAGRES
10th fixture​

Benfica 3-0 Naval
Neves 42'
Saviola 45+3'
Dentinho 65'
Aimar inj 41'​

Tonight we granted a very good result against a very defensive team, and that shows the power of our strikers and attack. Dentinho finally scored after the poor weeks and games he has been having. However, he has to keep it up, as Neves, his main rival for the AMR position. Aimar injury scared me at first, as he was complaining about his leg a lot, but then Thorsten [Legat, assistant manager] told me it was just a minor injury.

​

FRIENDLY​

Benfica 3-1 Villa Mitre
Palacio 11'
Marquinhos 31'
Kardec 69' 80'​

To those who think these friendlies are useless, I just want to say that they are a really important mean to the players to show me what they've got. If the players lose a game like this, they are telling me that my choice of leaving them out is good, so they have to do their best. In a squad like ours, with so many players, these friendlies are also essential to give some minutes and legs work to the less used players. Today we played well and, like I said, Kardec, as he played well today, will have a chance against Belenenses in a week.

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PORTUGUESE CUP
4th knock-out round​

Benfica 1-0 Belenenses
Ramires 56'
Barazite inj 33'​

Today we showed we wins when a good team and a poor team trying to break some legs face each other. Belenenses had a quite stupid attitude tonight, trying to injure our players, a thing they got with Barazite. I think their lack of experience doesn't permit them to see they could have ended with Nacer career... But whatever, we will move forward and play our best against Sporting in the next week

​

LIGA SAGRES
11th fixture​

Sporting 3-5 Benfica
Cardozo 6'
Dentinho 21'
Pongolle 25' 35'
Cardozo 37' 48'
Liedson 67'
Cardozo 85'​

Wow, what a game... We dominated the whole game, with an amazing entrance, then they drew but when Cardozo wants it, he doesn't miss... Besides, Carvalhal took a tactical lesson, and I think that he has a lot to learn with this game. Maybe at Estadio da Luz in April he doesn't lose by 2 and only by 1... Let's see. This victpry was very important, as it was one of the thoughest games of the season and we managed to win, and are now 3 points away from Porto and Sporting is 5 away from us, and that gives us confidence. Dentiho scored again and is showing me what he has got, and I'm liking his dedication.

View attachment 74954​

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Oscar "Tacuara" Cardozo​

What can I say? Scoring five goals in four matches isn't for every striker, and he is proving he is one of the best in the world. I just hope he keeps using his scoring vein until the end of the season, as we will need it...

​

 

[Midge]

cracking match against sporting! well played

 

[Deslandes]

December Update

DECEMBER UPDATE

EUROPA LEAGUE
Group Stage - 5th fixture

NAC Breda 3-3 Benfica
Zwaanswijk 47'
Cardozo 49'
Amoah 58'
Marquinhos 66'
Kardec 88'
Amoah 90+3'
Ramires s/o 24'

We didn't play well tonight, and after hearing some saying that every game with many goals is a good game, here is a case where it isn't. Six goals in agame is too much but the game was really boring and awful, as everytime Breda scored, they start defending with all their men. Still, we managed to get past their defenders and score 3, and that's good. Besides, we played with 10 two thirds of the game and still managed to draw and equalize their goals. In the end, we would have scored again, but Amoah did it right in the end of the game, and we couldn't answer to it.

LIGA SAGRES
12th fixture

Benfica 3-1 Academica
Aimar 16'
Javi Garcia 39'
Tiero 65'
Saviola 79'

It was a decent game, we dominated them all the 90 minutes, and they only scored in a long range shot, and that was definitely a wonderful goal, I have to congratulate Tiero for that. Some say that our winning wave is close to an end, and I want to show in the next three games, including the classic against Porto, that we are as playing as well as we can.

LIGA SAGRES
13th fixture

Olhanense 0-4 Benfica
Neves 2'
Cardozo 9' 24' pen 45+2'
Nelson s/o 52'

We demolished them. Completely. And they must thank to God they haven't lost 7-0 or more. We did lots and lots of shots and their luck was that our strikers weren't very inspirated. In the 2nd half we slowed down as we had 5 players with a yellow card and when Nelson was sent off, I decided to hold the ball and try to keep the ball possession. However, it was a great good result and if we win against Porto we enter January as champions, and to who doesn't know, the last time we were in the top of the table at winter we were champions in May. Just to let you know...

EUROPA LEAGUE
Group Stage - Final fixture

Benfica 2-2 Levski
Kardec 27'
Cardozo pen 60'
Botev 82'
Tonev 88'

****, we were so unlucky... We dominated completely for 80', and only the lack of accuracy of our strikers avoided us to score more goals. Maybe Milevskiy is really needed, after all... Then they shot twice and scored two goals. I wanted to finish the group stage better but despite this loss, we finished first and are confident to the next round. Besides, we played with a weakened side in order to be ready for the game this Sunday against Porto. I know I said I would never save players for the league and prejudice EL but the game we are talking about is a very important classic and we had the qualification almost granted, so I risked it. Now we'll see how we will be next Sunday.

LIGA SAGRES
14th fixture

Benfica 2-0 Porto
Cardozo 22'
Di Maria 45+2'
Fucile s/o 53'

Just like Olhanense, Porto must be glad they didn't lose for more goals than this. We completely dominated them and they seemed to be lost in the field, not knowing where to go. And this is a characteristic of teams with a low-personality coach, and that's why my team was never in this role. Jesualdo Ferreira isn't maybe the right man for the job he has. He is to soft and has absolutely no charisma, and Porto's squad is far beyond their full potential, and maybe it's time for Porto to get a decent manager who doesn't say he will beat his biggest rival and in the end loses like he lost.

FRIENDLY

Benfica 4-0 Gil Vicente
Weldon 14' 29'
Marquinhos 39'
Otamendi 60'

The Final Chapter. This was the last friendly match we had this season. During them, I saw who deserves to leave and who doesn't. Some say Weldon will stay after his two goals but he is not good enough for the squad we have. Maybe he is good for teams like Braga, Guimaraes or Maritimo, but not to us. They did well today, and finally battered in these friendlies. Maybe this increases their market value...

EUROPA LEAGUE
1st knock-out round - DRAW

Benfica v CSKA Sofia

2nd knock-out round - DRAW

Benfica/CSKA v Hertha/Toulouse

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Angel Di Maria

Angel performed really well this month. He is our king of assistances, our playmaker, our creative brain. There are many teams asking for him but I can grant them one thing: He won't be cheap, and start saving money, because you'll have to pay far more than the 17M I was offered by AC Milan.

​

---------- Post added at 02:27 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 01:32 AM ----------

JANUARY/FEBRUARY
UPDATE​

CARLSBERG CUP
Group C - 1st fixture​

Benfica 6-0 Estoril
Dentinho 35'
Di Maria 41'
Cardozo 45+2'
Ramires 51'
Saviola 57' 84'​

It was a good result for the year opening, with our squad showing their massive attacking skills to the world. Before any rumour starts, Milevskyi and Ochoa didn't play as they're slightly injured and starting to make life here in Lisbon. Milevskyi might play against Rio Ave this weekend but Ochoa will only return a few games later, as he's out for 18 days, and in the game against Maritimo in two weeks we'll have a major problem in the goalie position, as Enyeama will be at the ACN and Julio Cesar and Quim are now travelling to Munich and Liverpool, respectively. Maybe Douglas Pires, our junior's GK will handle the job...

​

LIGA SAGRES
15th fixture​

Rio Ave 1-5 Benfica
David Luiz 15'
Milevskyi 25'
Cardozo 29' pen 42' 46'
Chidi pen 66'
Fogaça inj 81'​

It was a good performance, we completely dominated them in the 1st half, started the 2nd pretty well but then they discovered a way to block our attack, and scored their honor goal. Tuesday we have another game, what is quite stupid, as until December we had a calendar with several weeks between games sometimes, and now we must play twice a week. Pretty good to the televisions and the club, but the players need time to rest, so at every Carlsberg Cup game I will save the main players, as it is the bottom of our priorities. However, if we have a derby at Carlsberg Cup and an easy game for the league next, I will obviously give priority to the derby/classic.

​

CARLSBERG CUP
Group C - 2nd fixture​

Naval 1-2 Benfica
Aimar 14'
Saviola 23'
Amaral 24'​

We did well today, as I said earlier this season this is a very defensive team and I'm glad we managed to win. Still, I see my players very tired and exhausted, and we are in the risk of losing a game if this continues this way.

​

LIGA SAGRES
16th fixture​

Maritimo 1-0 Benfica
Paulista 24'
Yuri inj 58'
Airton s/o 90+1'​

I knew this would happen sooner or later. And I didn't see a team either. I saw 11 men running after a ball. Maritimo deserved the victory and I have to congratulate their coach, Van der Gaag, for this victory. Our keeper today, Douglas Pires, couldn't deal with the pressure this game had, which is a characteristic of younger players like him. We will have to rise and continue winning, and leave this result behind, even learning with it. And next week's game against Coimbra will be very good to that. We will have to show what we're worth and batter them, with a result like 4-0 or something like that...

​

PORTUGUESE CUP
5th knock-out round​

Benfica 9-0 U. Coimbra
Milevskyi 10'
Cardozo 23' 31'
Dentinho 45' 48'
Aimar 75'
Milevskyi 81' 85' 88'​

Do I really have to say anything? We gave our best and got this wonderful result, which is really good to bring the confidence back to the supporters. Milevskyi performance was immense, in the last 10 minutes he played better than Messi or Ronaldo in their entire career.

​

CARLSBERG CUP
Group C - Final fixture​

Nacional 0-2 Benfica
Cardozo pen 42' 71'​

We got a really nice result today. We dominated and the only problem of this match was the lack of accuracy of my strikers. Still, Cardozo did his best and scored twice, giving us a passport for the semi-finals of this competition.

​

LIGA SAGRES
17th fixture​

Benfica 0-0 V. Guimaraes​

We played so bad... I even think I have never seen my team playing like this. We were overwhelmed by ta team placed in the 8th place, and a squad aspiring for european and national glory can't afford that. With this result we lost the first place, but we will fight until the end for it.

​

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Artem Milevskyi

I know, Cardozo scored more goals. However, Milevskyi has just arrived and already scored planty of goals. He adapted very well to our football and I hope he becomes a legend here with us.

​

PORTUGUESE CUP
6th knock-out round​

Nacional 1-5 Benfica
Cardozo 10'
Aurelio 12'
Cardozo pen 21' 41'
Milevskyi 43'
Otamendi 53'
Di Maria inj 60'​

CASTRO SUSPENDED BY THE FEDERATION

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LIGA SAGRES
18th fixture​

V. Setubal 1-4 Benfica
Otamendi 10'
Cardozo pen 43'
Mario Silva pen 54'
Cardozo 62'
Dentinho 70'
David Luiz s/o 52'
Ramires inj 90'​

We got a very nice result here today. We drew at home last year but showed today who is really the best. I'm really worried with the injuries I'm having. Di Maria and Ramires are two big players and will be off for a while, but the worst is that they won't face Porto this wednesday.

​

CARLSBERG CUP
SEMI-FINAL​

Benfica 1-0 Porto
Cardozo pen 40'​

I'm still wondering if we really deserved to win today. We played better but their squad had more power and will to win, and that makes me feel sorry for them for the first time, as I think that we may play better, but if our opponents play with more will than us, they are showing they may deserve the victory. Still, we won and will be in the final against Sporting, and I want to keep winning every classic and game against every rival.

​

LIGA SAGRES
19th fixture​

Benfica 4-0 Belenenses
Saviola 21'
Coentrao 25'
Aimar 45+3'
Airton 69'
Augusto inj 32'​

We achieved a really good result against the 3rd ranked team in the championship. Our squad is reuniting, as the end of the season is getting closer and they see they can and deserve to win the league, and if we keep winning, their wishes will be fullfilled.

​

EUROPA LEAGUE
1st knock-out round - 1st leg​

CSKA Sofia 1-1 Benfica
Delev 9'
Javi Garcia 24'
Javi Garcia s/o 41'
Petre inj 39'​

We played ***** today. We had everything to win against a low-ranked team but we couldn't put the ball in the goal. Javi Garacia performed very well and didn't deserve to be sent off, but I have to say "the referee is always right" in order not to be suspended, isn't it?

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LIGA SAGRES
20th fixture​

Benfica 4-0 U. Leiria
Milevskyi 12'
Saviola 18' 55'
Neves 24'
Pateiro inj 90+2'​

Once more, we performed well and deserved the victory. With Cardozo injured in the trainings during the week, Saviola took his place and showed he also knows how to score some goals. We have a really strong squad which will certainly win the championship, if there is any justice in the world.

​

EUROPA LEAGUE
1st knock-out round - 2nd leg​

Benfica 4-0 CSKA Sofia
Coentrao 16'
Cardozo 18'
Brandao 89'
Neves 90+3'​

This is how the game in Sofia should've ended. Even with a worse squad tonight, the players managed to neutralize each opponent abilities and score the goals they've scored. Evandro Brandao, 18 year old, scored his first goal as a senior and Verratti played his first game in this category, and I have to congratulate them for that. May this be the fiirst of many games and goals of their careers.

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LIGA SAGRES
21st fixture​

Leixoes 2-4 Benfica
Cardozo pen 6'
Cintra 20'
Milevskyi 63'
Dentinho 68'
David Luiz OG 78'
Milevskyi 90'​

May the dream come true? Can this squad achieve the gold this year? I say and I believe they can, and they believe it too. We keep winning home and away and if we continue doing this as we are doing, maybe, just maybe, we can win every competition we're at.

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PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Fabio Coentrao​

To those who say that this prize is just for strikers and players on the normal XI, here is a "no" to that. Coentrao is not my first choice and plays in the shadow of Di Maria. This month and with Angel's injury, he showed me what he has and played really well. He is a great player, and a great prospect for the future of our club.

​

PORTUGUESE CUP
SEMI-FINAL DRAW​

Benfica v P. Ferreira
Sporting v Rio Ave​

CARLSBERG CUP
FINAL​

Sporting v Benfica​

TRANSFERS IN​

Artem Milevskyi (D. Kyiv) 11.5M​

Guillermo Ochoa (C. America) 8.5M​

Nacer Barazite (Arsenal) 4.5M​

TRANSFERS OUT​

Luis Filipe (Almeria) 800k
Weldon (Stuttgart) 1.7M
Felipe Menezes (Marseille) 2.5M
Luca Antonini (Valencia) 300k
Quim (Liverpool) Loan
Julio Cesar (Bayern) Loan
Maxi Pereira (At. Madrid) 2.5M
Alan Kardec (Lens) 2.7M​

---------- Post added at 03:03 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 02:27 AM ----------

END OF SEASON UPDATE​

LIGA SAGRES​

22nd fixture​

Benfica 4-0 P. Ferreira
Aimar 41'
D. Luiz 50'
Milevskyi 66'
Coentrao 86'​

23rd fixture​

Nacional 1-4 Benfica
Milevskyi 7'
Ramires 37'
Milevskyi 44' 45'
Juliano 89'​

24th fixture​

Benfica 5-2 Braga
Cardozo 7' 12' 41' pen 45' 63'
Bastos 65'
Meyong 75'
Neves inj 36'​

25th fixture​

Naval 0-3 Benfica
Di Maria 24'
Cardozo 75'
Milevskyi 84'​

26th fixture​

Benfica 2-1 Sporting
Cardozo 38'
Pongolle 81'
Milevskyi 84'​

27th fixture​

Academica 0-4 Benfica
Cardozo 15' pen 62' pen 72' 83'​

28th fixture​

Benfica 3-1 Olhanense
Milevskyi 1'
Duarte 30'
Cardozo 79'
Otamendi 85'
Anselmo inj 43'​

29th fixture​

Porto 1-1 Benfica
Di Maria 11'
Meireles 49'​

Final Fixture​

Benfica 2-0 Rio Ave
Aimar 32'
Cardozo 46'​

BENFICA WINS THE LEAGUE

​

I'm absolutely astonished with our season in Liga Sagres. We scored 87 goals in 30 games, making it 2.9 goals per game, what shows the power of our strikers and forward sector of the field. We fully deserved this victory, as we played the best football, and did the best performance. Celebrating at Estadio da Luz is better than celebrating at our rivals' field, as we can count with the support of our fans and followers, who were always with us. Winning the league in my first season is an immense start, and I hope I continue winning titles. Some say I will be here forever but I must say that, even being Benfica number 1 supporter, I will leave when I think it's time to. But I promise everybody that I will probably continue here for the next season. Thank you everybody, see you next year.

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EUROPA LEAGUE​

2nd knock-out round - 1st Leg​

Toulouse 1-2 Benfica
Gignac 29'
Congré OG 56'
David Luiz 82'​

2nd knock-out round - 2nd Leg​

Benfica 1-1 Toulouse
Dentinho 9'
Gimenez 21'
Ramires inj 18'
D. Luiz s/o 86'​

Quarter-Final - 1st Leg​

Benfica 1-0 Roma
Airton 7'
Saviola inj 78'
Pizarro inj 88'​

Quarter-Final - 2nd Leg​

Roma 1-2 Benfica
Cardozo 36'
Saviola 38'
Mexes 66'​

Semi-Final - 1st Leg​

Genoa 2-2 Benfica
Zapater 40'
Cardozo 55' 60'
Sokratis 69'​

Semi-Final - 2nd Leg​

Benfica 1-1 Genoa
Dentinho 62'
Sculli 77'​

FINAL​

Benfica 1-0 W. Bremen
Saviola 68'​

BENFICA ACHIEVES EUROPEAN GLORY

​

This is the best moment of my life. When I was younger, I used to dream about this moment, and now it came true. We deserved this victory and showed we are one of the best teams in Europe, and we will work in order to win the SuperCup and show we are really the best team in Europe. This is the first Europa League ever for Europe, making us pioneers in the story of this tournament, and the first tropy of this category for the club, and I'm delighted for being considered the key to all these victories. This cup makes the double for the team, and we want to make the treble and win the Portuguese Cup. Carlsberg Cup? Not at all a priority, we will just see if we can win. My future? This victory puts us in the European SuperCup. If we manage to win it and to win the Clubs World Cup, then I will resign and stop for a while. Then we'll see. But let's keep our heads in the NOW and focus on the Portuguese Cup, as we'll have a though game in the final.

​

CARLSBERG CUP​

FINAL​

Sporting 1-0 Benfica
Liedson 115'​

I'm a bit disappointed with this result and defeat at extra-time in a tournament which is used to be decided on penalties if there is a draw after the 90 minutes. However, Sporting deserved to win something after the excellent recovery they had in the end of the season. This cup wasn't a priority, so I'm not so disappointed as what I'd be if it was another competition.

​

PORTUGUESE CUP​

Semi-Final - 1st Leg​

Benfica 3-0 P. Ferreira
Milevskyi 62'
Cardozo pen 65'
Dentinho 73'​

Semi-Final - 2nd Leg​

P. Ferreira 1-2 Benfica
Cardozo 20'
Di Maria 29'
Ferreira 47'​

FINAL​

Benfica 2-0 Sporting
Dentinho 10' 64'
Cardozo m/p 56'​

TREBLE FOR BENFICA

​

Wow, what a season... I couldn't even predict a better start for my work here at Benfica. Today we absolutely dominated them, they were afraid of the brand-new European champions. The result? A clear win for us, with an amazing performance by Dentinho. Wishes for the next season? To be as good as this or even better. And that's where the supporters have to be awake. This was an extremely good season, so the next one might not be as good as this one, even with the team working even harder. We need their support and count on them.

​

SOON...​

INTERVIEW WITH CASTRO
END OF SEASON OVERVIEW​

 

[jbolas]

Great story; great season & well done on winning the treble; especially the Europa League, I look forward to your interview and your next season with Benfica .......

 

[westham1995]

Well done, I hate the name Jesus for ordinary men so thank you for ousting your predecessor.

 

[belz]

Well done, I hate the name Jesus for ordinary men so thank you for ousting your predecessor.

impious :S

 

[Deslandes]

MONDAY AT EUROSPORT​

INTERVIEW WITH PEDRO CASTRO​

Monday, in the 21st June, Pedro Castro will conceed an interview to Eurosport. The manager who brought the gold back to Estadio da Luz will answer many questions. Want him to answer yours? Submit your question in this thread and have it answered! You have until Monday at 2PM to submit your question. Don't lose this chance!​

 

[Magiboy]

Nice story, great achievments

 

[bolase]

Pedro can you come to Sporting ?

 

[Blynd1]

Pretty nice mate ! ill follow... even though i like Belenenses ahah

 

[Deslandes]

Interview

INTERVIEW WITH PEDRO CASTRO​

National League Champion
National Cup Champion
Europa League Winner​

Those were the tournaments won by Pedro Castro in his first managerial career, at Benfica. In the beggining, he was the target to all the media and supporters critics, but after a season of total success, he is now an hero for Benfica, bringing a championship after 5 years, a cup after 6 years and an european trophy after 44 years, all in the same season. In comparaison to Mourinho, he gained a new nickname: "The Special Two", as both made the treble at their first season. The only thing which makes them different is the colours they defended, as Mourinho did it with Benfica rival Porto.​

EuroSport - Hello Pedro, thank you for being here in Paris to this interview.
Pedro Castro - Hi, it is my pleasure, thank you.
EuroSport - Well, I think we must start with the obvious question. How did this all happen?
Pedro Castro - So, first of all, as soon as I arrived, I worked in order to give a strong impression of my skills and ambitions, as I was an unknown manager with an huge challenge in his hands. If I was just one more manager, the fans wouldn't believe in me and support the team as much as desired. Anyone who wants to have success must establish bases and work in order to develop them. Building a team is just like building an house. We can't start with the roof, we must establish foundations, then, when they are finished and strong enough, we can build walls and only when everything is done and strong we can proceed to the last stage, the roof. And that's what I did. I started with the foundations, hiring new staff and a new group of work. Then, proceeded to the walls, seeing which tactic would fit what I want. Then, with the tactic decided and the walls built, I proceeded to the roof, signing the players I needed and wanted. And that was the recipe for our success.
EuroSport - In your first and last interview, you said you were working in a platinum future. With these victories, do you think you achieved that?
Pedro Castro - No, not at all, this is nothing compared with the potential this club has. Maybe it was the beggining of the platinum future I mentioned, but we're not close to it.
EuroSport - You'll face Chelsea for the SuperCup in the next month. Do you think you can win this game, even without being the favourite?
Pedro Castro - Oh, come on... How many games did we won without being favourites? At Europa League, we weren't favourites against Genoa, Roma and Bremen, and managed to win every game against them. Besides, we were favourites in most games we lost. Being favourite is not important, I think. It even brings more pressure to them. I think we can win, as both teams are pretty similar. The only different thing is that Benfica is making history since its foudation, while Chelsea has no history, and is now trying to make it. We didn't need absolutely nothing to achieve titles, while Chelsea needed a Russian businessman and a Portuguese manager to do it.
EuroSport - Now that you refered Mourinho, let me ask you this: Many people call you the "Special Two", comparing you to Mourinho. Do you identify yourself with him?
Pedro Castro - I feel honoured with that comparaison, as Mourinho is the best football manager in the world, without any doubt. I kind of identify myself with him, but I don't want to do the same he did. I want to do better.
EuroSport - You said that winning Europa League was the best day of your life? And what about Champions League?
Pedro Castro - Sincerely, I always preferred Europa League. You can say that's because it is easier, but that's absolutely false, as every teams there are in the same level. Besides, it might even be more difficult, due to the teams placed in 3rd place at the UCL entrance at the 1st knock-out round, bringing EL a bigger difficulty level.
EuroSport - What can you tell us about your future?
Pedro Castro - All I can tell you is all I know about it. I will always work looking forward to have success and give tournaments to my clubs. My top aim is to win the World Cup of Clubs, Champions League an FIFA World Cup, and I won't rest until I get them.
EuroSport - We have a question which was posted in the Internet and we'd like you to answer it, will that be okay?
Pedro Castro - Sure.
EuroSport - Could you train Sporting?
Pedro Castro - Of course I could, a manager must be able to train every team in the world and put aside his preferences. I must confess Sporting is definitely my least favourite team, but I'm not mean, and I can deal with their victories, even being a 200% Benfica fan, until I die... Right now? No way, not at all. I'm planning to stay at Benfica while I'm in Portugal these years, and then I may leave to another European club. Then I might return to Portugal to end my career, and that's when I may consider a Sporting proposal. However, and obviously, I will always give priority to Benfica, if they want me again.
EuroSport - That was all for today Pedro, thank you again.
Pedro Castro - Again, it is my pleasure.​

 

[belz]

LOL the "Special Two" <) great stuff, only story i follow

 

[Toronto_FC_RULES]

Excellent end of season interview, and Congratulations to your treble! I'll certainly follow. Hopefully, you'll be able to win the World Cup with a team not from either Europe or South America.

 

[Deslandes]

Excellent end of season interview, and Congratulations to your treble! I'll certainly follow. Hopefully, you'll be able to win the World Cup with a team not from either Europe or South America.

Maybe with Toronto

 

[Toronto_FC_RULES]

Maybe with Toronto

You meant as Canada right? It would be even nicer if you won with Indonesia.

 

[Deslandes]

SUMMER TRANSFERS​

TRANSFERS IN​

Aron Gunnarsson (Coventry) - Free​

Gunnarsson is without any doubt a really good player for our team, and the amount we spent on him was even better. He has a great future and I wanted it to be passed here in Lisbon at Benfica. Besides, he is, without any doubt, the best player who as ever played for Iceland, and is even better than Gudjohnsen.

​

Makoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg) - Free​

Hasebe is a really good midfielder who can bring experience and discipline to our team and, especially, our midfielders. He has an enormous passing ability which we are looking forward to use in oreder to connect our defenders and attackers. Besides, we could pay something like 8.5M to have him, and getting him on a free transfer is absolutely fantastic.

​

Roland Linz (Austria Wien) - Free​

This season we bet in free transfers as they will give us the chance to sell these talented players at a certain price, which grants us profit in this moves. Linz always performed well in Portugal, and when I knew he was able to sign in a free transfer, I immediately contacted him. However, and just as every player who arrives this summer, Linz will have to work very hard to convince me he has a place in my team.

​

Michele Camporese (Fiorentina) - Free​

Our U19 squad performed well last season, winning their group. However, this year their squad is smaller due to the players who are now 19. So, I decided to sign some young players who will secure Benfica's future. Probably they will never be trained by me, as I might not be here when he is old and skilled enough to play for our first team. However, he has a bright future and I hope my successor manages to keep him here at Benfica.

​

Fabio Faria (Rio Ave) - 2M​

This was a signing made by Jorge Jesus and I think it should have been him presenting this signing. He doesn't have a place in my team at all. However, he will be loaned so that I can see what he plays. He might have a good future but maybe it isn't bright enough to play at the 2nd best team in Europe.

​

Yann Sommer (Basel) - 2M​

Sommer is one of the goalkeepers with the most potential in the world, a field where Ochoa is also included. We are working a team which can last for many years, but made of players who are already decent and capable of playing in one of the best leagues in Europe.

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Salvador Cabanas (C. America) - 3.5M​

As everyone who likes football knows, Cabanas is a pretty decent striker, who will without any doubt, provide a good cover to Milevskyi and Cardozo. Cabanas has every skill a good striker must have. He is quick, has a good and deadly shoot and is decent in the header. I always wanted to sign him but in January Club America was not in the diposal of losing another star to us, after the signing of Ochoa, and then we chose Milevskyi. Now America was in need of money and as soon as I heard that, I decided to sign this amazing player.

​

Franco Jara (A. Sarandi) - 5.5M​

Just has Fabio Faria, Jara was a signing made by Jorge Jesus. However, Jara has certainly the skills and ability needed to play here at Benfica. Not this season, as he still has to get adapted to European football, but in the future, maybe in the next season. Jara is a very promising player and has everything to shine in Europe.

​

Simon Vukcevic (Bayern) - 4.9M​

Before signing for Benfica last year, I used to participate in a football television program, and at that time I always said that Vukcevic was the most mistreated player playing in Portugal, as Sporting never gave him the opportunities he deserved. Bayern tried to save his career last season but then decided to let him go. As soon as I knew that, I immediately signed him. He is an immense player, and is an alternative to Aimar if he leaves this summer.

​

Fredy Guarin (Porto) - 850k​

First of all, I have to thank Porto for their elevation, because any other rival would ask more for a player when the proposal was from us, and Porto kept rivalries aside and managed to keep their dignity, which is definitely a good quality of a club which during their more than 100 years of history always kept trying to humilliate us. But waht would rivalries be like without these scenes? But now, talking about Guarin, he is a quality midfielder, but I won't lie and say he has a place in my XI. He will probably be loaned so that I have time to see how his attributes grow. When I see he's ready, he will have a place here.

​

Ze Castro (Deportivo) - 4.5M

Cristian Zapata (Udinese) - 13M

Steven Taylor (Newcastle) - 10.5M​

Well, our defensive line was in several need of some players, and these three can obviously assure our keeper, who is also one of the best in the world. With these three signings our defence is far better than what it was.

​

AMOUNT SPENT: 47M

TRANSFERS OUT SOON...​

 

[Deslandes]

KITS FOR 2010/11 ANNOUNCED​

Home
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Away
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Benfica announced today the colours they'll wearing during the next season, 2010/2011. The kits, designed by Stuart Watson, a worthy kit designer, who presented kits which were very praised by Benfica manager Pedro Castro, who even said they were the best kits the club as ever had. The biggest surprise are the sponsors. The portuguese brands TMN and MEO were replaced by worldwide known brands, Emirates and Coca-Cola. Some economists say these sponsors arrived due to the club success last season.​

TRANSFERS OUT​

Carlos Martins (St. Etienne) - 2.6M
Yu Dabao (Free) - Free
Quim (Liverpool) - 1.4M
Hassan Yebda (Celtic) - 3M
Jose Shaffer (Schalke) - 725k
Edcarlos (R. Santander) - 1.1M
Gilles Binya (Sp. Gijon) - 1M
Balboa (Hamburg) - 2.4M
Ariza Makukula (Genoa) - 1.5M
Pablo Aimar (Sevilla) - 13M
Zoro (Parma) - 825k
David Simao (Derby) - Loan
Urretavizcaya (Heerenveen) - Loan 250k
Eder Luis (Atalanta) - 2.5M
Julio Cesar (Hoffenheim) - 2M
Nacer Barazite (Hannover) - Loan
Fabio Faria (Rapid Wien) - Loan
Javier Saviola (Lazio) - Loan 1.9M
Roland Linz (Derby) - Loan
Marquinhos (Lazio) - Loan
Rafael Costa (Guarani) - Loan 35k
Nelson (Timisoara) - Loan 450k
Franco Jara (Ahlen) - Loan
Airton (Dortmund) - 7.5M​

AMOUNT RECEIVED: 42.5M​

 

[Toronto_FC_RULES]

Wait, is the Marquinhos on Transfers Out the same one who was bought from Palmeiras?

 

[Deslandes]

Wait, is the Marquinhos on Transfers Out the same one who was bought from Palmeiras?

Yes, it is him. But don't worry, as soon as he ends his loan he will return and have a place in the team. He left because he wasn't happy as there were manyplayers for his position. He is still part of my plans, just as many players who were loaned, such as Urreta, Barazite and Jara

 

[belz]

I dont understand, Porto, and dignity in the same sentence? Something doesn't feel right...