Portugal Tickets, World Cup Portugal Jersey, Soccer blog by Monica 08 for fans of players in the Portugal team. Player photos, and videos. Comments with fans of Portuguese players like Miguel Veloso, goalkeeper Eduardo, Nuno Gomes, and Ricardo Quaresma.
Showing posts with label Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup. Show all posts
Photos of Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup, lineups, video of goals HERE. Jose Mourinho won this pre-season trophy, beating Benfica at home at Estadio Da Luz on August 15, 2008. Albeit it was a goalless draw and the winner was determined after the penalty shootout. Ibrahimovic missed his penalty!
Day before the game, August 14, 2008
August 14, 2008- The Inter team arriving at the Lisbon Airport.
Figo, Eusebio, Jose Mourinho at the press conference holding the trophy.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Inter before the game Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
August 15, 2008- Eusebio after symbolically doing the kickoff in the beginning of the game.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Penalty in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Benfica's #10 Pablo Aimar, Carlos Martins, Inter's Dejan Stankovic in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Figo in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Ibrahimovic in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Inter's Mancini in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Penalty shootout-Inter's Ibrahimovic in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Penalty shootout-Inter's Maxwell in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Penalty shootout, Inter's Dejan Stankovic in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Inter holding the trophy 'Eusebio Cup' at the Estadio Da Luz. Burdisso, Figo in black, captain Zanetti holding the trophy, Cambiasso, Suazo.
This blog is about the Portugal national team. I'm also a fan of Jose Mourinho. I wish him all the best at Inter, winning at least 1 trophy.
I'll post some interviews, results of Inter sometimes. Let's see if he's able to win the Champions League in his 1st season at the new club. Better luck than with Chelsea in the CL.
On August 15, Inter won a pre-season trophy in Portugal. It's called the Eusebio Cup. One single game Benfica v. Inter. Here's an interview of Mourinho on August 14, 2008 to the Inter Milan website, a day before the Eusebio Cup.
Jose Mourinho: "In Lisbon for us and Eusebio"
Thursday, 14 August 2008 14:56:07
Source: Inter. it
APPIANO GENTILE - José Mourinho spoke to Inter Channel's Roberto Scarpini before training this morning ahead of Friday's Eusebio Cup match against Benfica in Lisbon.
This is what he had to say:
Your pre-season preparations come to an end with Friday's Eusebio Cup match in Lisbon. The serious stuff starts from the 24 August.
"Yes. We have worked well for about a month, playing some tough friendlies. We didn't play any against small teams that we'd have won 10-0. We played against big clubs and played away from home. It won't be any different against Benfica. We play in a wonderful stadium in front of maybe 55,000 spectators, against a strong team that wants to win the Portuguese championship, and it will be their first match at home. It will be an important training session for us."
You will be playing for a trophy named after Eusebio, one of the most famous players of all time. What comes to mind when you think of The King?
"For us Portuguese Eusebio is the true king. He's the only player in Portugal who played for Benfica who was admired by all the fans, even those of Porto and Sporting. I have memories from when I was little and my father played in the Portuguese national team with Eusebio. My father was the first goalkeeper in Portugal to save a penalty from Eusebio. Eusebio was born on 25 January and I was born on 26 January.
For me he's a special person. From a professional point of view tomorrow will be an important chance for the team to improve, but from a personal point of view it will have a special significance: a return to Portugal, a trophy dedicated to Eusebio, and Benfica, the first club I coached at. For me it will be a bit different from a normal friendly."
Eusebio has spoken kind words about Mourinho the coach. So we can say that there's reciprocal esteem.
"Eusebio played in the national team for many years and he's still close to the national team now. When we decided to plan our summer fixtures with the president and decided to play against Benfica, he remembered the 1965 European Cup final in which Inter beat the Portuguese. The president also told me how at one point his father Angelo was close to bringing Eusebio to Inter. It will be very exciting for everyone, for us Portuguese who return home to face Benfica, and for the president who will certainly remember that beautiful time in Inter's history."
Eusebio said he's sorry for Mourinho and Figo, but he says that the cup must remain in Lisbon because it's the first edition of the trophy.
"I think that Franz Beckenbauer said the same thing to the Bayern Munich players, but the enormous cup in his honour is in Milan now. It's not too important, but we will win it if we can. Anyway, the cups we really want to win are those you win in May. We will have to work for ten months to win these important competitions."
Benfica start the season with great ambitions, and their preparations have been similar to Inter's.
"Benfica are a world level club, but they have won one league title in the last ten years. This is hard for them to accept. they want to get back to winning. They have made some important investments this year. Rui Costa has accepted to be the club's sporting director, but only under certain terms. They have some important players and for the mentality of their fans playing a friendly at home to Inter has a special meaning for them. With Luis Figo and his past at Sporting and with José Mourinho and his past at Porto, it certainly won't be a friendly for them."
Benfica have also faced some big clubs in their pre-season.
"Yes, they have played real matches, always. From a footballing point of view, facing good teams with different styles and mentalities has been very useful for us. It's a pity that three or four great players have only been able to play a few minutes of these games after ending last season with serious injuries. We are planning the future for them too and we will organise a match for Samuel, Cordoba and Chivu when there's the international break after the first round of the league."
After leaving Valencia, Quique Sánchez Flores is set for his debut as coach of Benfica. Nice memories of his matches against Chelsea in the Champions League?
"Yes. I was about to face Inter, but it was Valencia who qualified for the next round. Those were two very tough matches with Chelsea. After the 1-1 draw in London we won away from home and qualified with a goal in the 91st minute."
What kind of Inter will we see tomorrow evening?
"We will see an Inter without a lot of players. We have been in this situation since the start of our preparations. In Munich I said we had two teams: one on the pitch and one in the stands. It will be the same in Lisbon, it's just that one will be on the pitch and the other will be here in Appiano Gentile to train with the fitness coaches and the medical staff: Cordoba, Materazzi, Samuel, Vieira, Chivu, Rivas, Adriano and Dacourt. But for the others it will be the natural evolution of a team that has a structure now.
It's a shame Adriano can't play because the team worked very hard to play well against Ajax, and just as well this week, thinking they would play with the Brazilian in attack alongside Ibrahimovic. It's a shame we won't see the two players together in a team that is improving very well in terms of its organisation in defence.
All the work done in the last fifteen days can be put away now, and we're waiting for Adriano to return to full training. However, the team is working well and we're confident for the future. We have to play against Sampdoria and Roma before the championship break and we have to win. This is important for us because the injured players will be ready to play when we resume."
Do the international commitments prevent you from working in an optimal way ahead of the Super Cup on 24 August?
"Yes. This is the life of a coach of a big club. You know that almost every month you have to make do without players who leave for matches with their national teams. You need to have a bit of luck and not see players return with injuries. This is our life. We're obviously not happy if a player like Ibrahimovic is called up to his national team. We have been working with him for a long time to have him ready for the first competitive matches, which are very important for us. But these are the rules of the game and we have to accept them. Argentina's friendly against Belarus doesn't come at a very good time, but I have spoken with the club and
I'm very happy because they have created the conditions for me and the players to work in the most professional way possible. I will go and see the match and after it I will immediately return to Milan with the Argentine players thanks to a private flight. I'm grateful to the club for this excellent organisation.
In this way the players can rest directly in Milan and the next day they can train with their team-mates. I thank the club for this and obviously the three Argentine players, who are very happy to have this opportunity."
--------------end of interview
Check out this video, 25-second commercial for Benfica v. Inter, Eusebio Cup in Portuguese. Makes it sound very exciting. You see Benfica fans, the Da Luz and in the end Jose Mourinho.
English translation: Walk into the soccer field with them and don't miss a play of the exciting Benfica - Inter. In action with the Italian champion, in the return of Jose Mourinho. Day 15, Benfica Inter Milan, in the Eusebio Cup.
45' Urreta in, REYES out, ----------------62' JIMENEZ in, Muntari out.
45' Ruben Amorim in, BALBOA out ------ 75' BALOTELLI in, Figo out.
68' Carlos Martins out, David Luiz in------80' Pele in, Mancini out
68' Maxi Pereira out, NELSON in
68' Cardozo out, NUNO GOMES in
85' BINYA in, Katsouranis out.
81' FELLIPE BASTOS in, Yebda out.
19:51 - Eusébio gives the symbolic first kick in the field.
I'm hearing it online on the Portuguese radio. The link is above. I thought
Oscar Cardozo was going to score. He was just replaced wtih Nuno Gomes. Figo is being replaced. The whole stadium, standing ovation for him. Other young portuguese Balotelli replacing him. Pele also a substitute.
Jose Nunes: (commenter on radio)
says that Benfica has disappeared when Cardozo was replaced. Inter is taking advantage and is going forward. Benfica midfielder Aimar has the ball very little and Benfica is paying it for it. Yellow card for Leo. 87th minute- The stadium is booing the referee for giving the throw to Inter instead of Benfica. Now yellow card for Pele. Penalties. Benfica didn't look bad against Inter. Due to its pre-season preparation. Inter started the pre-season well now it beat Benfica in penalties. One conclusion, keeping Mourinho's tradition concedes very few goals. Squad of Itner practically same. 4-3-3 with Mourinho. 4-5-1 when it is offensive.
On the other hand the individualities are complicated. in this game, Ibra was fantastic. Figo continues to be an extraordinary player. Inter will have more comeptition in the Serie A. Roma keeps improving.
Game was over almost 10 minutes. Inter playesr already in the middle circle. Fans leaving the stadium.
Figo to the Antena1 radio post-match: This phase of your career? A thought I always have. I think that in soccer I analyze what I did in the last games. Find Mourinho again, what man did you find at Inter? I found the same man, more years like me. I think in this moment, Inter has to win.
Best players of Benfica- Leo, quim, Luisao
Mourinho on SIC (portuguese media) in Portuguese minutes after the match. English translation:
I think it was good game, good for them, good for us. Benfica defended well. For us it wans't easy. Team was well organized. Pressured well, fouls committed with intelligence. We could have won. If we didn't hit the bar. 2 or 3 great occasions. For me the most important how the game went. Ajax, Benfica, Sevilla. Didn't lose any of them and did not concede any goals. I believe things go well.
Like your experience in Italy? Yes happy. Was happy. Team more comfortable keeping possession of ball. 10 to 15 meters, Adriano was working well with ibra. Adriano got injured lately. What do you think of the Portuguese league with this Benfica? I have no idea. Last year it was easer for Porto. Quaresma, possiblity of going to Inter? I don't know. My president knows what I want.
Here is the Play by Play
6' - Long-range shot by Benfica's but to the side of Júlio César.
7' - Shot by Stankovic from outside the box. Goes to the right side of Benfica gk Quim.
9' - Urreta and Aimar combine well, but Aimar's cross is defended by Inter. Action ends.
11' - INTER ALMOST- Figo passes it to Ibrahimovic on the right flank. O sueco entra no enfiamento da área e cruza atrasado para o português, que recepciona e remata em excelente posição para uma grande defesa de Quim.
12' - Ibrahimovic long-range shot, wide
Game is open in the midfield and both teams have space to attack.
15' - BENFICA ALMOST- Cardozo close to scoring. Hits the bar and Júlio César was beaten anyway.
23' - Yellow card to Inter's Stankovic.
23' - Free kick for Benfica due to the foul commited on Carlos Martins.
24' - Carlos Martins shoots but Inter's defends and gives a corner kick.
28' - Free kick for Inter.
29' - Ibrahimovic shoots, over the bar
32' - Benfica attacks with speed on the right flank and gets a corner kick
32' - Bruno Paixão (referee) marks a foul commited on Benfica defender after the corner of Carlos Martins.
35' - Mancini on the right, gets the corner kick, beyonf the sideline on the opposite side.
36' - Ibrahimovic e Figo combine again this time Figo's shot not accurate .
40' - Aimar passes it to Benfica forward Cardozo and shoots, hits the bar
42' - BENFICA ALMOST- Ruben Amorim face to face with Júlio César on the right side of the area, tries to shoot but Júlio César guesses right and gives a corner kick.
2nd half
Benfica changes: Urreta in, Ruben Amorim in, REYES out, BALBOA out
47' - INTER ALMOST- Zlatan Ibrahimovic shoots wide.
47' - Luís Figo free kick that Quim saves.
55' - Free kick for Benfica. Jose Antonio Reyes takes it but Júlio César saves it
59' - Corner kick for Inter.
62' - Inter Change: JIMENEZ in, Muntari out.
64' - INTER ALMOST- Figo another great chance. Jimenez passes it to Figo in the box, shoots but Quim saves.
68' - Benfica changes: Carlos Martins out, Maxi Pereira out, Cardozo out, DAVID LUIZ in, NELSON in, NUNO GOMES in
71' - Katsouranis on the ground but gets up.
72' - INTER ALMOST- Luisão doesn't defend against Ibrahimovic and leaves him isolated. Quim saves it.
74' - Free kick for Inter.
75' - Inter change: BALOTELLI in, Figo out. Standing ovation from fans for Figo, Figo applauds back.
76' - Mancini free kick hits the barrier.
80' - Inter change: Português PELÉ in, Mancini out
84' - Jimenez shoots wide .
85' - Benfica change: BINYA in, Katsouranis out.
86' - Yellow card for Benfica's Léo for protest.
87' - Yellow card for Inter's Pelé.
88' - Corner kick for Benfica. Nuno Gomes shoots, but referee Bruno Paixão had already whistled for a foul.
August 15, 2008 , Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal,
19:45 local time, 11:45 PM USA Pacific time
See the play by play and starting lineup, starting 11 click here
A Bola, August 14, 2008 Top right
Mourinho and Inter arrived today in Lisbon, "This Benfica has more potential."
No matter how big Mourinho's name is in the media in general, Portuguese league news is bigger. Look at the left column. My goodness, his big picture was on the Corriere Dello Sport and Gazetta dello Sport more than 3 times. Top left
Sporting: Rochemback: "We need to start winning now
FC Porto: Lucho: "We're going to the Supercup to win"
In the middle, Benfica news
Face of Benfica forward Oscar Cardozo, "We're going to be champions" Cardozo says it's necessary to believe
August 15, 2008 , Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal,
19:45 local time, 11:45 PM USA Pacific time
See the play by play and starting lineup, starting 11 click here
I'm so glad neither of them started attacking each other professionally. What a relief. Both Jose Mourinho and Quique Flores, former rivals in the Champions League, praised each other so highly, you'd think they're best friends. So refreshing after the Mourinho-Ranieri exchange.
Today, August 14, 2008, Benfica coach, Quique Sanchez Flores spoke in Spanish, in the press conference. He also praised Jose Mourinho and spoke positively of Benfica pre-season progress. Here's the English translation:
What are the main objectives to achieve in Friday's game against Inter?
Tomorrow all factors are important. We play again at home, in front of our fans in a game that will end our pre-season. We want Benfica to keep growing as a team and gets confident with every movement. The level of difficulty will be very high seeing that the opponent is strong, as a team and individually. Hopefully we can win the trophy, but I have to be reasonable and sustain what I've been saying since the beginning: the most important thing for us is the growth of the team and not much the results. After, when the season officially starts, the most important thing is to get consistent results. If we can add to the trophy we won in Guimarães, it would be fantastic.
About José Mourinho had praised Quique Flores in the exclusive interview to Benfica's official website.
I faced him in important games in the Champions League. I have a good image of José Mourinho. In addition to having conquered various titles with lots of effort and work, he has a lot of personality, facing the profession with responsibility and without fear. He's a great coach. He deserves everything that he already conquered in soccer.
We know each other through the work that we've done in our previous clubs and we have many things in common. We both are methodic coachesthat value organized work and the fact that the players assimilate certain concepts, always with creativity. We have the same philosophy of soccer, that's why Chelsea and Valência were similar teams.
Source: slbenfica.pt Portuguese text Victor Pinto
See the videoclip of Quique saying this in Spanish with Portuguese subtitles
August 15, 2008 , Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal,
19:45 local time, 12:45 PM USA Pacific time
This blog is in English but some readers speak Portuguese so this is for them. Here's the Portuguese version of José Mourinho's exclusive interview to Benfica's official website on August 14, 2008. One day before the Benfica v. Inter, Eusebio cup.
14/08/2008 FUTEBOL, EXCLUSIVO – José Mourinho em entrevista
«Este Benfica tem mais potencial»
Na véspera de Benfica e Inter de Milão se reencontrarem, em plena estreia da Eusébio Cup, no Estádio da Luz, José Mourinho abordou, em exclusivo no Site Oficial do Benfica, o significado que tem para si marcar presença na competição e reencontrar velhos amigos. O técnico do Inter de Milão traça o perfil da sua equipa nesta fase da temporada, elogia o novo Benfica, conta a razão pela qual tem um carinho especial por Quique Flores e convida até Eusébio a entrar no seu balneário. Mourinho, ao seu estilo.
RESPEITO POR EUSÉBIO E OBJECTIVO COM IBRAHIMOVIC
Qual a importância de inaugurar uma competição cujo nome – Eusébio Cup – tem um significado especial e de, nesse mesmo jogo, ter pela frente o clube onde se estreou como treinador principal?
Gosto de jogar na Luz, sempre gostei enquanto treinador do Benfica, gostei depois como adversário e treinador do FC Porto e foi óptimo voltar com o Chelsea, ainda que para um amigável. Sentirei agora o mesmo prazer ao regressar novamente. O facto de a Taça ter o nome de Eusébio tem um claro significado especial. Mas quanto ao jogo não, pois continuo a dizer que não procuro as taças na pré-época; procuro, sim, as outras que se ganham em Maio. Mas o respeito que o nome de Eusébio impõe, obriga-nos a jogar com isso no pensamento.
É um Inter quase invicto (sofreu apenas um golo desde o início da pré-temporada) aquele que se apresenta na Luz. É uma equipa já à sua imagem aquela que vai defrontar o Benfica?
Bom, há que lembrar que o Inter quase não tem defesas nesta altura. Quando cheguei, Chivu, Samuel e Cordoba estavam parados na sequência de cirurgias difíceis e recuperações demoradas. Depois, com a lesão de Materazzi, ficámos apenas com Burdisso. No entanto, trabalhamos muito a nossa organização defensiva e estamos a sentir-nos confortáveis em campo. Por outro lado, só agora Ibrahimovic regressou e, verdade seja dita, se eu pensava que ele era um dos melhores do Mundo, trabalho agora com ele com a ambição comum de vir a ganhar a Bola de Ouro. Trata-se de um superjogador e com ele esta equipa é obviamente melhor. Mas temos um longo caminho a percorrer, pois nunca é fácil para uma equipa – e para um treinador – sair de uma rotina de anos e jogar de um modo diferente. Vamos com calma.
ELOGIOS A AIMAR, REYES E... QUIQUE FLORES
O que conhece deste Benfica e qual a sua opinião acerca do plantel? Terá o Benfica condições para voltar aos bons resultados esta época?
Parece-me, à distância, ser uma equipa com mais potencial. Tem alguns novos jogadores com experiência e classe, como Aimar e Reyes; tem outros que não conheço tão bem, mas que seguramente foram alvo de análise detalhada pelo Quique e pelo Rui e já tinha alguns jogadores importantes. Assim, obviamente que todos esperam mais. Até pelo futebol português, todos esperamos que os três grandes façam uma grande época e que a competitividade seja muito maior do que foi na época passada.
Mourinho e Quique Flores são mútuos admiradores desde os tempos em que representavam o Chelsea e o Valência. Qual a sua opinião sobre o agora técnico do Benfica?
É certo que não o conheço bem, mas há dois anos joguei contra o seu Valência na Champions e analisei durante algumas semanas o seu trabalho e a sua equipa de então. Pareceu-me, sem dúvida, uma óptima equipa e por isso o considero um treinador muito bom. Depois, ao nível pessoal, pareceu-me ser muito equilibrado, metódico e simpático. Por tudo isso, respeito muito o seu trabalho e espero que seja feliz no nosso País.
PORTA ABERTA PARA EUSÉBIO
O início da temporada aproxima-se a passos largos e tanto o Inter como o Benfica procuram atingir a melhor forma possível nesta altura. Assim, poderá prever-se um jogo de grande intensidade nesta sexta-feira?
Nós disputaremos a Supertaça de Itália dentro de poucos dias e por isso jogaremos com um pé à frente e outro atrás. Não arriscarei com pequenas lesões, mas obviamente que depois de jogar em Munique e em Amesterdão contra dois históricos, temos agora a possibilidade de o fazer na Luz e queremos aproveitar ao máximo este jogo com o Benfica. Necessitamos de dificuldades para crescer e o Benfica pode dar-nos o que precisamos. Uma cultura de futebol diferente, um estádio com ambiente, uma equipa que quer ganhar em sua casa, jogadores que se querem afirmar...
Acredito que será muito bom para nós e que nos ajudará a crescer. Obviamente que penso que também nós poderemos ajudar o Benfica a ser melhor, porque para eles será também uma boa experiência jogar contra uma boa equipa, como nós, com uma cultura diferente, com bons jogadores e que também lutam por um lugar numa equipa e na lista das Champions.Como o Inter não produziu, nos últimos anos, talentos italianos, tenho que deixar cinco jogadores fora da lista para a UEFA... e eles sabem disso.
Eusébio não escondeu o orgulho e a emoção de poder contar com a sua presença, bem como com a de Luís Figo e do próprio Inter, neste torneio...
Sabe, quando cheguei ao Inter, o clube tinha alguns aspectos da sua pré-época fechados por contratos, mas existiam alguns espaços que eu poderia adaptar ou preencher. Quando me chegou às mãos o convite do Benfica, falei com o senhor Moratti que foi peremptório: «Eusébio e Benfica? Vamos! Um grande jogador que o meu pai quis contratar...; o Benfica, que o Inter bateu, num jogo fantástico, na final da Taça dos Campeões; vamos»... E eu, claro, aceitei com muito prazer. Eusébio é Eusébio e quando dele se fala todos os portugueses esquecem cores ou clubes. Há unanimidade nacional. Assim como vi uma Munique Arena cheia para homenagear Beckenbauer, gostaria de ver a Luz fazer o mesmo a Eusébio. Não se trata do Inter ou do Benfica, trata-se de Eusébio. Espero-o no meu balneário, pois ele pode entrar.
August 15, 2008, Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal,
19:45 local time, 11:45 PM USA Pacific time
Read the play by play and starting lineup, starting 11 click here
Today the Inter team arrived at the Lisbon airport.
Lisbon airport, Portugal August 14, 2008- The Inter team arrive the day before the Eusebio cup Benfica v. Inter, August 15 2008. Pele, and Figo. Photo: record.pt
Received by Inter fans wnting to see the players and coach, José Mourinho said in Portuguese that he's "happy" to return to Lisbon and hopes his team "trains well" for the Eusebio Cup, Benfica v. Inter on August 15, 2008.
"I hope to train well. To return is great and it's a pleasure to be in this tribute."
Luís Figo said in Portuguese that the game against Benfica is "another one for training" for this season.
"I hope that everything goes well seeing it's a game near the beginning of the season and the game of the Italian Supercup, against AS Roma."
See the videoclip from the Portuguese TV news, RTP, of Mourinho and Figo saying this. Then Quique Flores at today's press conference saying Mourinho's a great coach.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 14, 2008- Inter arrive for tomorrow's Eusebio cup. Figo and Jose Mourinho speaking in Portuguese. Quique Sanchez Flores praising Jose Mourinho in today's press conference in Spanish. Click Mourinho e Quique Flores trocam elogios
in Lisbon, Portugal,
19:45 local time, 11:45 PM USA Pacific time
See the play by play and starting lineup, starting 11 click here
Some photos of the stadium where will be played on Friday, August 15, 2008. Estadio Da Luz, officially named Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica is the home stadium of SL Benfica. Also called A Catedral ("The Cathedral") by Benfica's fans.
It hosted several soccer games in the Euro 2004, including the famous Portugal 0-2 Greece final. Inauguration: 25 October 2003, First match: Benfica-Nacional Montevideo 2-1, Capacity: 65,000 seats.
Estadio Da Luz. Photo: slbenfica.pt
Scoreboard. Photo: slbenfica.pt
Photo: slbenfica.pt
Photo: slbenfica.pt
Photo: slbenfica.pt
I say Benfica 1-3 Inter.
- Your thoughts on Estadio Da Luz? Benfica v. Inter? Final score prediction?
in Lisbon, Portugal,
19:45 local time, 11:45 PM USA Pacific time
See the play by play and starting lineup, starting 11 click here
3 more days for Eusebio Cup Benfica v. Inter. A little bit more about the probable Benfica starting lineup. Just what team will Inter Milan face?
Benfica new changes, coach and players for 2008-2009 preseason.
New coach is Spanish Quique Sanchez Florez.The second spanish coach in less than one year. The last one was Jose Camacho.
New Sports director, former AC milan, Fiorentina, Benfica player, Manuel Rui Costa. New players to make Benfica more competitive in the UEFA cup and Portuguese League, Liga Sagres. Rui Costa, is signing major players this season: Spanish winger Jose Antonio Reyes presented 3 days ago. Argentinean midfielder Pablo "El Payasito" Aimar a few weeks ago.
Still looking for a striker:
Rui Costa is on the transfer market looking for a striker. Already travelled to Barcelona twice to negotiate with Luis Garcia from Espanyol. The impossible dream for Benfica fans is to RE-sign Fabrizio Miccoli from Palermo again. No chance.
Pre-season 2008-2009 won the last friendly Benfica 1 - 0 Feyernoord.
Not too good results of the Benfica pre-season games: Estoril 1-1 Benfica- July 19, 2008. Part of Torneio Guadiana: Benfica 2-3 Blackburn- July 25, 2008, Benfica 0-2 Sporting.
The Eusebio Cup is a chance for Quique to show fans he's done experimenting with the starting lineup. He can also start winning games in the pre-season. Their last game was their "presentation" game in front of their home fans at Estadio Da Luz. It was Benfica 1-0 Feyernoord. See the video:
<
Video of Benfica goal by Cardozo, Benfica v. Feyernoord, August 9, 2008
For the first time, Jose Antonio Reyes played with the Benfica jersey, came in as a substitute in the 80th minute and had a shot that hit the crossbar.
New players still have to know each other in the soccer field. In today's training, August 12, 2008 Quique tested the understanding between forward Cardozo, Balboa, Jose Antonio Reyes and Urreta, supported by midfielders Binya and Carlos Martins.
Later, Quique tested the trio midfielder Pablo Aimar, Jose Antonio Reyes and forward Oscar Cardozo.
Two Benfica players to watch
Argentinean Midfielder Pablo Aimar. Benfica #10 not only can set up goals but with an individuality can score. Photo: slbenfica.pt
Paraguayan forward Oscar Cardozo.
This pre-season scored the winning goal in Benfica 1-0 Feyernoord.
You can also add Nuno Gomes as a forward to watch. Quique has shown in the last games that he prefers other forwards over Nuno Gomes. Quique is still on the lookout for another striker. He already got rid of Freddy Adu and negotiating a transfer for Makukula.
Benfica Probable starting lineup- based on last game Benfica 1-0 Feyernoord, August 9, 2008
Forward Cardozo and midfielder Aimar played in the starting lineup. Quique made the changes in the 73rd minute, and replaced them with forwards Nuno Gomes and Makukula.
BENFICA 1-0 Feyernoord:
Quim
Maxi Pereira -- Katsouranis -- Luisão -- Léo
Yebda -- Ruben Amorim -- Carlos Martins -- Urreta
Aimar -- Cardozo
substitutes: Moreira, Moretto, Miguel Vítor, Sidnei, Edcarlos, Balboa, David Luiz, Fellipe Bastos, Binya, Makukula, Nuno Gomes, Nélson, Jorge Ribeiro, Mantorras and Reyes
The Benfica side is no match for the big Inter Milan. All its superstars Figo, Adriano, Ibrahimovic. A midfielder like Cambiasso. Common sense says Inter will win comfortably Benfica 1-3 Inter.
- Your thoughts on Benfica v. Inter? Final score prediction?
Figo, Eusebio, Jose Mourinho at the press conference holding the trophy.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Inter before the game Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
August 15, 2008- Eusebio after symbolically doing the kickoff in the beginning of the game.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Penalty in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Benfica's #10 Pablo Aimar, Carlos Martins, Inter's Dejan Stankovic in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Figo in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Ibrahimovic in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Inter's Mancini in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Penalty shootout-Inter's Ibrahimovic in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Penalty shootout-Inter's Maxwell in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Penalty shootout, Inter's Dejan Stankovic in Benfica v. Inter Eusebio Cup at the Estadio Da Luz.
Lisbon, Portugal, August 15, 2008- Inter holding the trophy 'Eusebio Cup' at the Estadio Da Luz. Burdisso, Figo in black, captain Zanetti holding the trophy, Cambiasso, Suazo.
- Which photo did you like?
