Hassan Yebda Signs

The second signing for the new season is Hassan Yebda.
The 24 year old interior midfielder is the first signing under Quique Flores, and arrives at Benfica on a free, as his contract expired with French club Le Mans.

Benfica is expected to introduce the player at 19.15 local time.

Player Profile at ESPN Soccernet

With Yebda's arrival Benfica will now have, count them, Petit, Katsouranis, Maxi, Fellipe Bastos, Binya, Ruben Amorim and Romeu Ribeiro, all interior midfielders that play in the same sector of the field.
Yebda's physical characteristics and field positioning are very similar to the ones of Katsouranis, which could very well mean that the Greek is on the way out - a desire that he himself has made known.
There was also talk of Binya going out on loan next season, the same could hold true for Romeu Ribeiro, who is still very young.

Coming on a free is always a plus, but let's hope that Benfica's prospection department has done their homework, in order to avoid a similar situation to Zoro's who also arrived on a free, but is one of the best paid players on the squad. Off course having the coach's approval is always beneficial, and apparently Quique gave the thumbs up to Yebda's signing.

-END-

Continue Reading..

Quique's First Interview

Quique Flores gave his first extensive interview to Portuguese Daily "A Bola". The following is a transcription of the interview, which can be found in today's print edition of "A Bola"

Click on the link below to read the whole thing(Portuguese only)






«Não conheço nenhum alpinista que comece a escalada pelo cume»

VALÊNCIA – Seduzido e apaixonado pelo desafio Benfica, o treinador espanhol escolhido por Rui Costa para reconduzir os encarnados aos êxitos revela-se em estado puro. Sabe jogar com as palavras e tem o cuidado de não elevar demasiado as expectativas. Garante, apenas, uma equipa muito competitiva para atacar títulos...
Como tem vivido estes primeiros dias como novo treinador do Benfica, confirmada e anunciada a sua contratação no passado sábado?

— Com muita ilusão e com muita paixão também. Eu, e o meu corpo técnico, temos a intenção de rentabilizar e profissionalizar ao máximo toda a estrutura do futebol e essa é também a intenção e objectivo do presidente Vieira e de Rui Costa. Só assim conseguiremos, todos juntos, devolver ao Benfica os títulos. Tenho a certeza de que vamos fazer coisas muito interessantes no clube e no futebol português.

- Sentia já o apelo do trabalho diário de um clube. Ou, como dizemos em Portugal, tinha já saudades da adrenalina do futebol a sério? Passaram-se seis meses desde a sua saída, julgo que dolorosa, do Valência...

- Sim, faltava-me um desafio assim. A verdade é que vivi com muita intensidade cinco anos como treinador. Sempre com novos desafios, objectivos cada vez mais ambiciosos... Agora, neste período de ausência, descansei o suficiente, recompilei ideias suficientes sobre o meu trabalho, vi muito futebol no estádio e na televisão e estudei muito. Estou com ânimo renovado para recomeçar.

- Sente-se melhor treinador depois da experiência que viveu no Valência?

- O desafio do Valência foi extremamente duro. Não só pela exigência, que é comum a qualquer clube grande, mas pela sua envolvência, com tudo o que rodeava e envolve o clube. Nesse particular, as coisas foram muitos difíceis. Mas, agora que posso fazer o balanço dessa experiência, não tenho dúvidas de que consegui superar as dificuldades. Foram dois anos em que o modelo de jogo, os jogadores e alguns aspectos dos jogos estiveram em permanente análise. Por todos. Dirigentes, adeptos e jornalistas. Também por isso, senti necessidade de rodear-me dos melhores profissionais e orgulho-me da equipa a que dei rosto.

Objectivos à altura da história do clube

- O desafio de treinar o Benfica e de tentar reconduzir o clube aos títulos é o mais importante da sua ainda curta carreira?

- É mais um passo, muito importante e aliciante. Como foi treinar o Getafe pela primeira vez na sua história na I Divisão ou, mais tarde, ter assumido o Valência. Gosto de projectos de grande responsabilidade. No Getafe, o objectivo era a manutenção e tentar criar uma estrutura sólida que permitisse, como se verificou, o crescimento do clube, revelando novos talentos e sempre que possível com um futebol atractivo para a afición.

- Seguiu-se o regresso a Mestalla...

- A passagem para o Valência, um clube onde tinha passado como jogador, é um salto de qualidade que exige outra forma de estar com o balneário, na relação com jogadores internacionais, jogadores de elite. São desafios diferentes. No Benfica será algo parecido. É um dos grandes clubes europeus, um nome conhecido e respeitado em todo o Mundo que conta sempre com jogadores de elite. Neste caso, há que definir objectivos desportivos à altura da história do clube.

- A história do Benfica escreve-se com vitórias e título nacionais e europeus, o que não tem acontecido nos últimos anos. Está consciente de que é preciso ganhar? É isso que os adeptos lhe vão exigir...

- Todos queremos ganhar e não há quem o deseje mais do que eu. Mas devemos ser coerentes e cumprir a nossa tarefa com prudência. O presidente e Rui Costa têm ideias muito claras sobre o que é preciso fazer para recolocar o Benfica no topo. Vamos ser ambiciosos, disso podem os adeptos ter a certeza, mas temos também de ser coerentes. E, para sermos coerentes, não podemos dizer que vamos recuperar já os 20 pontos de diferença para o FC Porto. Temos de dizer que a nossa intenção é apostar já para tentar alcançar os melhores resultados possíveis, reconhecendo que vamos partir em desvantagem em relação aos nossos rivais.

ACERTAR AO MÁXIMO NAS CONTRATAÇÕES

- Como pensa inverter esse quadro?

- Temos de trabalhar muito, acertar ao máximo na contratação de novos jogadores, procurar rentabilizar o plantel e, com paciência, pouco a pouco, cumprir etapas.

- Coerência, paciência e ambição, aspectos que tem focado como essenciais sempre que analisa este novo quadro profissional em que está apostado, são compatíveis no futebol?

- São compatíveis quando o processo é bem conduzido. O que é incompatível é falar sobre isso se não houver trabalho. Quando se trabalha, a equipa está mais apta e mais próxima de subir posições. Não conheço nenhum alpinista que inicie uma escalada pelo cume. Todos começam por baixo. Por isso, devemos ser prudentes.

- Mas, insisto, os adeptos querem títulos. Tem isso bem presente, calculo?

- Há consciência de que é necessário iniciar um trabalho de base. Isso é o fundamental para o Benfica, nesta fase. Se não pensarmos assim, será mais um retrocesso. Em todo o lado, os clubes passam por ciclos de menor projecção nacional e internacional, ciclos mais ou menos decadentes. Há que estancar esse ciclo. Não se pode baixar mais e há que criar condições para voltarmos ao topo. Este ano, vamos tentar, com todas as forças, chegar lá acima, ao mais alto possível. O adepto vai poder apreciar uma equipa que vive exclusivamente para o clube e para a sua profissão. Só assim vamos atingir o êxito, embora consciente de que a fronteira entre o êxito e o fracasso pode ser um ligeiro desequilíbrio, uma escorregadela na altura de rematar à baliza, como aconteceu com John Terry na final da Champions.

- Conseguiu já interiorizar a dimensão e a importância do Benfica em Portugal?

-O Benfica é muito grande. Todo o Mundo do futebol sabe que foi o clube de Eusébio, que conquistou duas Taças dos Campeões Europeus. Tem uma história riquíssima e mais de seis milhões de adeptos só em Portugal, sem esquecer a força junto dos emigrantes. Mas o que me preocupa é a actual realidade do Benfica. A afición está algo decepcionada e precisa, muito rapidamente, de ser estimulada e animada. Como? Terá de ser a equipa a estimular os adeptos, com bom futebol e vitórias, para que o estádio esteja sempre cheio. Esse é o meu compromisso. Uma equipa competitiva, que lute pela vitória em todos os jogos e em todos os estádios, que orgulhe o clube.

ACORDO MUITO FÁCIL COM RUI COSTA

- Foram complexas as negociações com o Benfica? O que atrasou o acordo: questões financeiras ou uma clara definição do projecto?

- Foi tudo muito simples. Para mim, a questão financeira nunca foi um problema. O fundamental são os projectos, os objectivos, uma clara definição daquilo de que o clube precisa e do que nós podemos oferecer. São as questões desportivas que me movem. Entusiasma-me o trabalho de campo, os treinos, ajudar a melhorar as capacidades e qualidades dos jogadores, recuperar terreno para os adversários. Sou um treinador do relvado e gosto desse meu trabalho.

- Acredita que pode conseguir, numa época, atingir todos esses objectivos e devolver o Benfica aos títulos?

- A única coisa que posso prometer é uma equipa competitiva. Em campo, os jogadores vão saber o que devem fazer, individual e colectivamente. Os adeptos podem esperar uma equipa bem armada, compacta e competitiva. Para isso, temos de ter muita atenção à qualidade dos jogadores a contratar. E há que melhorar os que já fazem parte do plantel. Temos, todos juntos, de acertar no perfil dos jogadores que podem proporcionar à equipa esse salto qualitativo.

«Vou apresentar cinco soluções para resolver cada problema»
Continuação da pág. 3
– Essa é também a tarefa e o principal desafio de Rui Costa, que abraça uma nova responsabilidade. Falaram sobre isso?

- Estou em total sintonia com Rui Costa, um jovem director desportivo que tem todas as condições para ser mais do que um símbolo do Benfica. Foi, sem dúvida, um dos melhores jogadores portugueses dos últimos 20 anos e tem uma coisa muito importante, que faz as pessoas grandes: é muito humilde. No campo, foi sublime, muito inteligente, e pode continuar a ser o mesmo nestas novas tarefas.

- O que mais o seduziu em Rui Costa?

- Muito inteligente, um profundo conhecimento de todos os aspectos do futebol moderno, muita experiência em grandes clubes e em Itália, está disponível para o diálogo, para a colaboração e para trabalhar em equipa. E isso é fundamental.

nÃO HÁ NOMES DE JOGADORES NO PAPEL

- Que dados já reuniu sobre o plantel? Há qualidade no Benfica?

- Conversei muito com Rui Costa, transmitiu-se a sua opinião, sempre muito profissional, agora falei com Camacho e tive oportunidade de ver cinco jogos. Todas as opiniões são positivas. Na próxima conversa, em Lisboa, com Rui Costa e o presidente, penso que posso transmitir ideias mais concretas sobre o que penso que seja o melhor para o clube. Agora, quando uma equipa fica a tantos pontos do FC Porto, naturalmente que há aspectos a melhorar. Mas, pelo que vi, há também jogadores que podem dar mais e que vão dar mais. Sobretudo os mais jovens e esse trabalho com os jovens é sempre um estímulo e uma ilusão para um treinador. Mas, para que o grupo seja forte e tenha corpo, será necessário incorporar alguns jogadores.

- É isso que os adeptos querem saber. Quais os jogadores que o Benfica deve contratar? Os nomes de Albelda, Carlos Martins, Yebda ou Caneira, por exemplo, estão nos seus planos?

- Não tenho o nome de nenhum jogador no papel. Nas conversas com Rui Costa não falámos sobre nenhum jogador em concreto. Primeiro, tenho que detectar os problemas, procurar as soluções e só a partir daí posso dar um nome a essas soluções. Aliás, para cada posição em que seja necessária uma solução, vou apresentar quatro ou cinco nomes e será sempre o clube a decidir, de acordo com as suas possibilidades económicas. A minha missão é dar nomes para solucionar o problema.

4x4x2 com máxima participação atacante

- E, pelo que já conhece do actual plantel, que modelo de jogo pode privilegiar? O 4x4x2 que utilizava no Getafe e também no Valência ou o 4x2x3x1 que também impôs na equipa che?

- Gosto desse sistema. Normalmente, não existe o sistema do treinador e o sistema do plantel. Há o treinador e o seu grupo que, em conjunto, analisam o que é melhor para a equipa. Mas sou defensor do 4x4x2, com dois jogadores bem definidos nos corredores e uma participação máxima de ataque, com dois avançados, com características de jogo diferentes e que possam complementar-se. Mas o jogo de ataque deve contar com a incorporação dos laterais, com equilíbrios... O que posso garantir é que os adeptos vão reconhecer no nosso jogo movimentos produzidos pelo nosso trabalho diário, nos treinos, o que acontecer em campo não será fruto de improvisações pontuais, mesmo que o futebol também seja o momento e a inspiração técnica de um ou outro jogador.

- O fascínio do futebol reside também na sua imprevisibilidade, num gesto técnico inesperado, por exemplo... Um golo de Maradona ou de Messi que não entram em nenhum guião. Haverá espaço para o improviso na sua equipa?

- Haverá sempre espaço para a criatividade. Mas é preciso ordem, organização, eficaz ocupação dos espaços e noção dos princípios de jogo. As minhas equipas gostam de ter a bola mas também sabem fazer rápidas transições. Fundamentalmente, defendo uma boa ocupação de todo o campo. A partir daí, são importantes as acções de apoio, de cobertura... Um jogador não deve correr mais do que o necessário e, sobretudo, deve correr bem. Deve dar sentido aos aspectos físico, técnico e táctico. E só com solidez defensiva podemos dar sentido ao nosso jogo atacante.

-Para finalizar, uma pequena provocação: aposta na vitória de Portugal no Campeonato da Europa que vai iniciar?

- Um Espanha-Portugal na final será fantástico. Portugal tem jogadores de elevado nível, falta saber como funcionará depois em bloco, como conjunto. A selecção de Espanha tem uma linha de criação e de ataque fantásticas. Com Iniesta, Cesc, Silva, Villa e Torres... Essa é a nossa fortaleza. Se conseguirmos, em termos defensivos, um forte bloco, acredito que podemos surpreender. Acredito em Sérgio Ramos para organizar lá atrás.. Penso que o ponto forte de Portugal é também a sua zona de criação e, nesse aspecto, os dois conjuntos estão bem servidos e podem surpreender no Campeonato da Europa.



More on Quique

«Não sou treinador de transição»
VALÊNCIA — A confirmação surgiu agora, sem margem para quaisquer dúvidas: Quique Flores foi a primeira opção do Benfica para suceder a José Antonio Camacho. Logo em Março, como a A BOLA noticiou na ocasião, o antigo treinador do Valência foi convidado a assumir os destinos do clube até ao final da presente temporada. Jogavam os encarnados em Getafe. Quique Flores declinou o convite e revela as razões: «Não me considero um treinador de transição. Nunca vivi essa situação e parecia-me pouco honesto da minha parte treinar um clube com a promessa de conseguir algo que não foi possível nas últimas épocas. Preferi esperar, sabia que a oportunidade de treinar o Benfica ou outro clube grande podia surgir. Não é o mesmo treinar uma equipa de emergência ou ter um período de preparação, de sintonia de ideias e poder desenvolver, de início, um trabalho coerente e metódico.»

Três adjuntos espanhóis confirmados na Luz
VALÊNCIA — Quique Sánchez Flores sabe que no futebol não há tempo, como expressou a A BOLA em Madrid, e que é preciso ir ganhando etapas. Ainda em Espanha, a nova equipa técnica do Benfica já entrou em campo, visionou as imagens de cinco jogos dos encarnados esta temporada, estando confirmados os ingressos na Luz de Fran Escribá (adjunto principal), Pako Ayestaran (preparador físico) e Emílio Alvarez (treino dos guarda-redes). Todos eles viajam, nas próximas horas, com Quique Flores para Lisboa. «É a minha equipa técnica. Em relação ao Valência, há uma alteração, com a incorporação do preparador físico Pako Ayestaran que estava no Liverpool. Formamos uma equipa muito sólida, cada um com os seus conhecimentos e experiências futebolísticas, com uma visão bastante panorâmica do jogo e do trabalho específico a desenvolver.»

O jogo é um momento muito especial

Fora dos relvados, longe do futebol, Quique Flores assume-se «muito calmo». E é assim também, confessa, nos momentos que antecedem os jogos, dos mais importantes aos amistosos. «Quando chegam os jogos sinto-me muito feliz. Há uma frase de um treinador que diz que a profissão de um treinador seria muito boa se tirássemos os domingos. Estou totalmente contra. Se passasse a semana a treinar para depois não jogar, seria o caos. Gosto da semana para treinar, para preparar a minha equipa, e do sábado ou domingo para a competição, para jogar. Digo aos jogadores: 'este é o vosso momento e tudo o que fizemos nos treinos é para colocar em campo'.»

Uma criança como nos bons filmes

Em casa, com os quatro filhos, ou com os amigos mais próximos, Quique Flores viaja no tempo. «Sou uma criança autêntica», revela, sem complexos. «Como no filme 'Big', com o Tom Hanks. Pareço um menino. Divirto-me com uma bola de futebol ou de basquetebol, na playstation, no ipod, no iphone, no computador, a ler... Gosto muito de desporto, cinema e música», confessa.

Família de bons artistas

O passado e o presente de Quique Flores é conhecido. Foi notícia mesmo antes de nascer. Filho de Isidro, antigo futebolista do Real Madrid, e de Cármen Flores, cantora venerada em Espanha e na América do Sul, sobrinho de Lola Flores, ícone da cultura espanhola já desaparecida, e afilhado de Di Stefano. «Faço parte de uma família de artistas, de cantores maravilhosos. A minha mãe, Cármen Flores, com 72 anos, passa seis meses por ano na Argentina em espectáculos. Vai parar este ano. É uma família das artes, do espectáculo, muito unida e muito humilde também. Sempre trabalhámos muito», destaca o jovem treinador, também ele um comunicador por excelência, qualidade que promete manter em Lisboa. Sobretudo para falar de futebol, a sua grande paixão. «Defendo o diálogo, a troca de ideias e estarei sempre disponível. Isso será bom para todos», assegura.

Tempo para estudar o futebol português
VALÊNCIA — Sem complexos, Quique Flores assume que, de momento, não é profundo o conhecimento que reúne sobre a realidade do futebol português. Um problema de afirmação internacional, também, um campeonato do segundo escalão europeu. Nada que o incomode. Para já, tem uma «imagem dos clubes, do Benfica, do FC Porto, do Sporting, da selecção portuguesa e do fenómeno Cristiano Ronaldo, claro.» O que será alterado muito rapidamente. «Sobre a Liga o meu conhecimento não é muito, confesso, mas isso não é problema. Sou um estudioso e terei muito tempo, até ao início do campeonato, para conhecer todas as equipas e os jogadores. E depois vou contar com a colaboração muito importante de Diamantino e Chalana, que sabem tudo sobre o futebol português e vão constituir um apoio fundamental ao meu trabalho.»

«Nível da arbitragem em Portugal é alto»
Distante de Valdano e próximo de Benitez e Mourinho, o novo treinador do Benfica surpreende
VALÊNCIA — Como se processou a transição de jogador para treinador?

- Com normalidade. Ainda como jogador do Valência, comecei por tirar o curso de treinador de jovens e regional. Mais tarde, tirei o de profissional. Quando terminei a carreira, a decisão não foi dramática e apostei nos estudos durante dois anos, valorizei-me. E iniciei a minha colaboração com os meios de Comunicação Social. Essa experiência foi fundamental para mim, ajudou-me muito a analisar o jogo e o fenómeno de uma forma diferente. Não queria ser, apenas, mais um comentador. Tentei ser diferente, eu mesmo.

- Talvez daí a comparação com Jorge Valdano, seu treinador no Real Madrid?

- Comparam-me com Jorge mas somos muito diferentes. A minha escola são os técnicos metódicos, preocupados com o futebol no campo, com as suas obrigações e exigências, estudiosos da sua equipa e do adversário. Encontro-me entre os metódicos.

- Mais na linha, então, de Rafa Benitez e José Mourinho?

- Sim. São treinadores que conseguiram construir grandes equipas e conseguiram impor o seu modelo de jogo. Aliás, quando defrontámos o Chelsea, na Champions, as palavras de Mourinho foram sempre muito elogiosas sobre o meu trabalho e da minha parte também. Em confronto estavam duas equipas de escolas muito parecidas e, como disse Mourinho, a eliminatória seria decidida no último minuto. Infelizmente para mim, ele foi mais feliz.

- Como pode ajudar a melhorar o espectáculo?

- É fundamental não perder tempo com questões sem importância.

- Em Portugal, de há muito a esta parte, os árbitros estão no centro do vulcão...

- Pelos jogos que já vi, o nível da arbitragem em Portugal é muito alto. São árbitros comunicativos, dialogantes, e isso é que interessa. Em Espanha, há um debate, errado em minha opinião, sobre o que é jogar bem ou jogar mal. No final, todos querem formar uma boa equipa e ganhar. Agora, jogar bem poucas equipas o conseguiram. Só o Villarreal e, em parte, o Real Madrid. Existiram, sim, bons blocos, como o do Almeria, o do Racing, em parte o do Atlético Madrid.

Provável

estágio

no estrangeiro

Prepara-se para voltar a Lisboa, já com os seus adjuntos, para planificar com Rui Costa a pré-temporada e avançar com o processo de contratações. Na agenda do treinador espanhol, também, uma visita guiada e pormenorizada ao centro de treinos do clube no Seixal. «Primeiro, temos de comprovar as condições do centro de estágio que, pelo que sei, está ao nível dos melhores da Europa», revela. «Depois temos que decidir se, nesta fase, em que é fundamental conhecermo-nos, não será mais proveitoso trabalhar noutro local, provavelmente no exterior.»

Transmitir

felicidade

aos adeptos

OEstádio da Luz terá tanto ou mais encanto com as bancadas lotadas. Quique Flores está ansioso por conhecer o Inferno da Luz. «Um treinador, tal como acontece com os jogadores, querem sempre apresentar-se nos melhores e maiores estádios do Mundo e a Luz está nesse lote. É um estádio impressionante. Uma das primeiras coisas que um jogador ou um treinador procuram num clube é o seu estádio. Não posso estar mais satisfeito. Pode proporcionar um ambiente muito inglês. Estou ansioso para ver a Luz com muito público. Disseram-me que é uma atmosfera maravilhosa. É nossa obrigação estimular os adeptos a aparecerem, torná-los mais felizes. É para isso que trabalhamos, para transmitir felicidade.»

Paulo Futre foi «grande»

Foram muitos os duelos com Paulo Futre. Quique Flores, antigo lateral-direito do Valência, Real Madrid e Saragoça, não esconde o fascínio pelo futebol da antiga estrela do Atlético de Madrid. No relvado nasceu uma boa amizade. «Encontrámo-nos há poucos dias, em Madrid. Além de uma grande pessoa, Paulo foi um grandíssimo futebolista, um dos melhores do Mundo. Tinha uma velocidade extraordinária com a bola nos pés. Joguei contra ele muita vezes», recorda. O mesmo se passa com Figo. «Ainda estava no Sporting, a despontar, e eu jogava no Real Madrid. Um jogador fantástico que marcou uma época no futebol espanhol e ganhou tudo o que havia para ganhar.»

Continue Reading..

Time for Siesta

I was one of the many supporters that approved Eriksson's return to Benfica, and was disappointed when he snuffed Benfica. At this time, I'm choosing to commend the Swede instead of trashing him. I think there's some credit due here, after all, the Swede did not want to present himself as an impostor with high ambitions, instead he showed the world where he is at this point in his career. Hanging out in the Mexican Riviera while coaching a team whose biggest competition is the US (who, btw, have dominated them) and whose World Cup qualification every 4 years is almost a given, due to the lack of competition, seems like the right choice for Eriksson. At this point in his career, he wants nothing else but to lay in the sun sipping on a margarita with a senorita by his side.

Kudos Sven!



Oh yeah,i almost forgot, there's a guy named Kikin Fonseca, he's pretty good, he should be on your call up list when you face El Salvador.

-END-

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Quique Flores Introduced

Benfica introduced its new coach today during a press conference at Estadio da Luz. It was the formalizing of what the Portuguese media had reported yesterday.
Quique had a low profile arrival in Lisbon last night, making his exit through a back door of the airport.

Quique was introduced as a young ambitious coach, who fits the profile Rui Costa wanted for a new coach. In his first words, Flores promised a lot of hard work and a competitive team, whose main goals for the upcoming season is to get back in the Champions League and fight for the league, with hard work and coherency.

At 43, Quique Flores does not have an extensive curriculum, but the little there is, is respectable for such "young" career in coaching. He coached Getafe in 04/05, obtaining a respectable middle of the table position. He then was hired by Valencia where he coached in 05/06, 06/07 and was sacked at the end of October 07(first part of last season)when Valencia entered their downward spiral, Ronald Koeman took his place, but wasn't able to do much better. At Valencia, he qualified Valencia for the Champions League group stages in the two years he was there, an important achievement considering the competitiveness of La Liga.

As a player(right back), Flores represented Valencia for most of his career(84-94), Real Madrid(94-96), winning La Liga in 95, and finished his career playing for Zaragoza(96/97 season). He was part of Spain's 1991 World Cup team and compiled 15 caps throughout his career.

As a coach, Flores is known for being a student of the game, with a emphasis on his analytical capabilities of the game.

According to the media, one of the conditions that was requested by Quique was the signing of 4 important players of considerable talent. One of the names already being called is the Frenchmen Hassan Yebda, a 24 year old midfielder, at the end of contract with Le Mans. Quique spoke briefly about the player at his introduction, which is a sign Benfica might be on the way to signing him. Maisfutebol reports that both Quique and Yebda spent the night in the same hotel in Lisbon.

Also being speculated are, Gouffran, Caneira, Carlos Martins.

An interesting tidbit of information - Both Flores and Camacho will be the commentators for a Spanish station during the upcoming Euro.


-END-

Type rest of the post here

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The Media Circus

A couple of days back, Correio da Manha reported that Benfica lost 58m Euros in their first year of being in the EuroNext (Portuguese Stock Exchange). At first sight this might be an alarming piece of news, but it's not. Benfica Up Front blogger explains in detail what this "loss" really means.

I have mentioned before that the media is highly controlled by the powers that be.
Correio da Manha is owned by the same people that own Record, and you know what type of verbal regurgitations Record is capable of doing.

Everyone knows that Benfica sells papers, it always as it always will.

For quick reference:

O Jogo = Porto
Record = Sporting

A Bola is the most balanced of them all, It was at one point pro Benfica, but it has created a balance within its pages since then. So when you read, keep an open mind.


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Excuse me?!?!?

There's no doubt in my mind that not knowing where you will be playing next year is an unsettling situation for any player. That is the situation in which Cristian Rodriguez finds himself presently. With the season being over, the Uruguayan is still not sure where he will be next year. During today's arrival from Angola, Rodriguez was questioned by the media about his future, to which he replied that he doesn't know, Porto was brought up, and Rodriguez said that he would be happy if Porto acquired him(«Ficarei contente se o FC Porto me contratar.»-direct quote).

Now, i have been an admirer of Rodriguez ever since he got to Benfica, but if these words are in fact true, and in the same context as explained above, Benfica should really think about letting the Uruguayan go on his merry way. Granted it's a frustrating situation from the player's prespective, Rodriguez feels has done a lot for the club, during this past season, and there hasn't been any reciprocation from Benfica, namely a contract. Still, to express happiness in signing with a rival, especially Porto, is a very low blow, and should not be taken lightly.

We'll have to wait and see what Benfica's reaction will be on this and if the player tries to do some damage control through his media relations rep.


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Quique Flores is the new coach

Benfica has yet to formally confirm, but all of the Portuguese dailies report Flores is the new Benfica coach.
Apparently Quique Flores and Benfica have reached an agreement, and only need to get minor details resolved.
It's the end of the new coach soap opera which starred many names. In the end it was down to two - Laudrup and Flores. With Laudrup wanting to go in a different direction, Quique Flores was the chosen one, being that he was one of the names that fit the profile for the head coaching position.

Quique Flores' formal introduction, should take place no later than Monday. He will most likely travel to Lisbon today or in the next few days to put the black on white.


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For Later......

Go REDS!!


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Angola 2 - Benfica 3 - On to Vacation

Starting 11
Moreira;
Pedro Correia, Edcarlos, Binya and Léo;
Filipe Bastos, Maxi Pereira, Nuno Assis and Rodríguez;
Makukula and Mantorras.

Mantorras was the captain

Goal Scorers
Rodriguez
Elisio (og)
Maxi

Also getting playing time were:
Sepsi for Leo (46')
Dabao for Rodriguez (77')
DiMaria for Mantorras (53')
Cardozo for Makukula (58')



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Looking Back Part 1 - Off Season

The season has been over for almost two weeks, and the inevitable withdrawal has already set in. After tomorrow's Champion's League final, there will be 17 days of anxiety, towards the next "fix".
There's still plenty of soccer going on all around the globe, but I'm very particular about the soccer i watch. Sure i will occasionally watch a match from the Brasileirao, or from the Argentinean Apertura or Clasura(whatever they have going on at the moment), I might even dabble on a little MLS (if it holds my attention for long enough), but my true passion has always been the European game. So, while the Euro doesn't start, I'd like to spend a little time revisiting Benfica's season.
Why, you may ask? I have asked myself that question many times before deciding to write about it; after all, it was a disastrous season, the worst in many years, but just because it was an God awful season, it doesn't mean that it should be wiped off everyone's memories, on the contrary, a season like this past season, should remain vivid in a lot of minds, especially the minds of Benfica's administration, who should look at this season, and single out every single mistake, and shortfall and learn from it, so the nightmare does not occur again.


Off Season

The off season, like all other off seasons, are always marked by the exits and entrances of new players, this revolving door process, is a process that serves as the foundation for the new season, and in Benfica's case the "ins and outs" proved to be the very first tell tale sign of things to come.

First Team Exits: Moretto, Beto, Karagounis, Paulo Jorge, Simao Sabrosa, Anderson, Miccoli, and Manu.

Out of these 8 players, 3 players really made a dent on this years squad.

Simao, who had been on the verge of a transfer for the past two years, was finally "allowed" to leave. Luis Felipe Vieira cited that Simao's exit was based on a personal promise to the player, based on the services Simao had done to Benfica. Simao was the heart and soul of Benfica, team captain, and club symbol; he was singlehandedly the player with the most influence on Benfica since Benfica acquired him from Barcelona after the 00/01 season. Although his exit was inevitable, the lack of a worthy substitute really put Benfica at a loss, and maybe DiMaria will, at one point, be a worthy substitute, but Benfica really needed someone to come in and hit the ground running and take Simao's spot.

Karagounis, another starter, had publicly manifested the desire to return to Greece, claiming he could not adapt to Portugal. The story, like many others, was a bit sketchy, and in my opinion, Benfica was too soft and gave in too easily to the players desires. Even if the Greek, was not as influential as Simao, he was an important player to the team and brought a certain degree of balance to the team, something that was lacking this year.

Miccoli who had been on loan to Benfica for the past two years, also manifested the desire to return to Italy, Benfica failed to act on the Italian's option clause, and the "little bombardier" ended up saying arriverdecci to the supporter mass who had fallen in love with him.
As another sketchy story unfolded, Benfica's ex-sporting director Jose Veiga, divulged in his book that Benfica could have very well kept the Italian, and that his cost was very accessible to the Benfica coffers. Micolli had been Benfica's attacking reference. While he struggled with injuries his first season, and in the beginning of the 06/07 season, Miccoli flourished in the middle of the season, and was one of the main reasons for Benfica's success.


First Team Entrances: Marc Zoro, Fabio Coentrao, Oscar Cardozo, Bergessio, Sretenovic, Andres Diaz, Angel Di Maria, Jorg Butt, Freddy Adu, Cristian Rodriguez, Maxi Pereira, Edcarlos, Manuel Fernandes, Binya and Luis Felipe; along with Juniors: Romeu Ribeiro, Miguel Victor, Yu Dabao. GK - 1,DF - 5, MF - 8,FW - 4, 18 all together, an authentic truck load of players, when you compare it with 8 players that were exiting.
With this many players coming in, the first thought has to be that the squad will be not only balanced and deep, but also competitive, and competition for positions can always be beneficial to the team.
At the time, team president Luis Felipe Vieira called it the best Benfica squad of the past 10 years(or was it 20?), stating that a coach with this type of squad, runs the risk of being league champion. From the coaching side, Fernando Santos, lamented Simao's exit, and claimed that Simao's exit would deeply affect the team. Santos suffered another blow when 1 week before the pre-qualifier for the Champion's League, Manuel Fernandes was sold to Valencia. Fernandes who had been on loan in England, after a dispute with Benfica's medical staff, returned to Benfica, after Everton failed refused to pay Benfica's asking price.

Out of the group of players coming in, Cardozo was the most expensive at 9mm(80% of the pass), the Paraguayan international forward, came from the Argentinean league where he was highly referenced, and was brought in to fill the gap Miccoli left. Another player from the Argentinean league was Bergessio, who was labeled as a multi purpose forward, with physical strength being one of his biggest attributes.
Freddy Adu was perhaps the best known player for Benfica fans, fresh off a stellar U-20 world Cup for the US, Freddy Adu had been a promising talent ever coming into the public eye at 16. He had been hailed as the savior of American soccer, and earned comparisons to some of the world's greatest, and Benfica fans knew this and saw his signing as a great signing.

For the defense, Marc Zoro was obtained on a free from Italy's Messina, and was meant to reinforce the center of the defense. Edcarlos was another central defender, that was bought from Sao Paulo. Also for the center of the defense, but in more of a trial run was Sretenovic on loan from Servia's Lubin. Luis Felipe was bought from Braga for the right side of the defense.

For the midfield, winger Fabio Coentrao was seen as a promise for the future, and Benfica did not want to lose his talent to the competition. DiMaria, who had been part of the Argentinean U-20 world cup winning squad, was referenced as Simao's substitute, despite of his young age. Along with DiMaria came Andres Diaz, on a 2 for 1 deal, also a member of the U-20 world champs.

Jorg Butt was brought in on a free, to add depth to the goalkeeper position, which had been marred by injuries in the past season, a time in which Benfica was forced to use a junior goal keeper in champions league play as well as domestic play.

Juniors Romeu Ribeiro, Miguel Victor and Yu Dabao, were given the opportunity to "tryout" for the senior squad.

Making their way into the squad were also, Rodriguez, Maxi and Binya, the first two were chosen by new coach Camacho, while Binya, who already had his bags packed for Estrela da Amadora, was recalled by Camacho to add depth to the defensive midfield position, after Manuel Fernandes left.

A lot of new faces, and 3 important first team players exiting, marked Benfica's off season. Vieira had given fans a reason to dream, with his inflamed speech. It was time for Fernando Santos to get to work, as Benfica played a very important match early, which would dictate whether or not they would participate in the Champion's League group stages.


Part 2 - Early Season

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The Sad Clown

New Friend, Benfica Up Front has an interesting article about this overpaid, underachieving, sad figure.
Although he is the captain of our team, and he deserves respect, he would be a lot more of a man if asked for his pay scale to be changed based on his performances, which have been atrocious in the past 2 years.

Then there's this recent sad display




As if he wasn't already the biggest target of the opposition's ridicule, this new episode is sure to make him a "legend".

It's hard to watch this and not feel embarrassed for this clown. Not to mention the choice of words he uses in this TMN commercial.
As Benfica Up Front puts it (and i share his sentiment):

Cheering for Quaresma is a bit overboard. I know it's a commercial for the national team, but it doesn't change the fact that Quaresma has blatantly cursed and disrespected our club or the fact that he plays for FC Porto.

Palhacada!

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Sal/S.Vicente 0 - Benfica - 2

Here's what Portuguese soccer daily "A bola" wrote about the game: (translation to English right below each paragraph)

SAL — Em terra de Kizomba, Di María mostrou a arte do tango argentino e inspirou os africanos Adu, Mantorras e também Binya, que jogou (e bem) a central. O jogo teve ritmo lento, a cheirar a férias, mas venceu a festa, a alegria de um povo em delírio.

Sal - Place of Kizomba, Dimaria showed the art of the Argentine Tango and inspired the Africans Adu, Mantorras and also Binya, who played(and well)as a centerback. The game was played at a slow place, and smelled of vacation, but the real winners were the party and the delyrious joy of the people.

Click on the link below to read the read of the post.

Frente a uma selecção das ilhas de Sal e S. Vicente que, mesmo sem beliscar o Benfica, se mostrou competitiva — até dispôs da primeira oportunidade de golo — os encarnados venceram com naturalidade, num encontro jogado sob intenso calor e a baixa velocidade. Alguns jogadores do Benfica aproveitarem até para mostrar algumas habilidades técnicas e proporcionarem momentos de espectáculo ao público. Casos de Di María, Adu, Léo e até Binya!

In front of a select team of the islands Sal and S. Vicente, who, even without ever threatening Benfica, played competitively, and even had the first good goal chance, the "Reds" won the game easily, in a game played under intense heat and slow pace.
Some of the Benfica players took advantage of the opportunity to show some of their technical abilities and give moments of great spectacle to the crowd. Namely DiMaria, Adu, Leo and even Binya!

Em solo africano, não deixa de ser curioso o facto de os golos terem sido apontados por Freddy Adu, que nasceu no Gana, apesar de estar naturalizado pelos Estados Unidos, e Mantorras, angolano Di María deu show de bola e vai-se tornando num sério caso de popularidade à medida que o seu futebol desperta.

In African soil, it's interesting that the goals came from Adu, who was born in Ghana, but American naturalized, and Mantorras who is a native of Angola. Di Maria put on a clinic, becoming a serious winner of fans as his playing quality blooms.

O jovem Fellipe Bastos (18 anos) estreou-se pela equipa principal, mesmo que num amigável, e deixou a promessa de um futuro risonho, ele que não pôde ser inscrito em Janeiro, por razões burocráticas, mas que ficou a trabalhar com o plantel principal, mesmo sem jogar. Uma forma de se ambientar e ganhar confiança. Oportunidade também para ver em acção mais duas promessas, Yu Dabao e Pedro Correia, regressados dos empréstimos a Desportivo das Aves e Olhanense, respectivamente.

The youngster Fellipe Bastos(18) made his debut with the senior squad, even if it was an exhibition, and left a bright future promise. For bureaucratic reasons, he wasn't able to be signed in January, but remained with the senior squad, even if he wasn't able to play. A way for him to adapt to the senior squad and develop confidence.
The game was also an opportunity for Yu Dabao and Pedro Correia, who were both on loan to D. Aves and Olhanense, respectively.

Elementos como Freddy Adu e Moreira — o primeiro tem sido muito utilizado e o guarda-redes, ontem capitão de equipa, não teve sequer um minuto em jogos oficiais, esta temporada.

Freddy Adu and Moreira also had an opportunity, the first has been utilized by Chalana while the keeper, did no play a single minute this season.

Makukula e Butt não jogaram por opção, Nélson e Fábio Coentrão por lesão. Pormenor interessante: o Benfica jogou com um equipamento criado para a ocasião, com o patrocínio da Cabo Verde Móvel, empresa participada pela PT. Alcino António, vice-presidente encarnado, deu o pontapé de saída, em tarde de festa rija e emoções fortes para o povo do Sal.

Makukula and Butt, did not play as a technical option, and Nelson and Fabio Coentrao did not play due to being injured.
An interesting detail - Benfica played with a uniform created specially for the occasion, with a "Cape Verde Mobile"(an affiliate of PT) sponsorship on their shirts. Benfica vp Alcinio Antonio kicked off the the game, in an afternoon of strong emotions and great party for the peoples of Sal.


Individual description of player performances:

Moreira — Capitão de equipa, no primeiro jogo a titular da época, mesmo tratando-se de um amigável. Espectacular defesa logo aos dois minutos. De resto, trabalho tranquilo.

Moreira - Team captain, starting for the first time this season, even as if it was an exhibition match, had and spectacular save right at the 2 minute mark, but had a tranquil afternoon for the rest of the game.

Maxi Pereira— Exibição descolorida a lateral-direito.

Maxi Pereira - "Discolored" exhibition at right back.

Binya — Actuou a central, ao lado de Edcarlos, e foi uma excelente surpresa. Um dos melhores, embora deva atender-se à menor valia dos opositores.

Binya - Played as a center back, beside Edcarlos, and he was an excellent surprise even if the quality of the opposition wasn't the best.

Edcarlos — O patrão da defesa. Seguro, sem sobressaltos.

Edcarlos - The boss of the defense. Solid, without fail.

Léo — Não sabe jogar mal, mesmo a brincar. Bela jogada, no lance do 2-0.

Leo - Doesn't know how to play bad, even in an exhibition. Great play in the sequence that resulted in the 2-0.

Fellipe Bastos - «Quem é o número 13? Onde jogava?», perguntavam os adeptos. Estreia em grande do jovem brasileiro de 18 anos.
Foi rei no meio-campo

Fellipe Bastos -"Who is number 13? Where did he play" asked the fans. Great debut by the 18 year old Brazilian youngster. He dominated the midfield.

DiMaria - Passe para o golo de Adu, momentos de pura magia para o público delirar e uma tentativa de chapéu, desde o seu meio-campo, que quase dava golo de eleição

DiMaria - Pass for Adu's goal, moments of pure magic for the fan's delight, and a shot from midfield, trying to put the ball over the keepers head, that would have been a memorable goal.

Nuno Assis — Muito esforçado e combativo, mas inconsequente.

Nuno Assis - Very combatitive and with a lot effort, but without any consequence.

Rodriguez — Passou ao lado do jogo e saiu ao intervalo. Aproveitou:filmou a festa do público.

Rodriguez - LEt the game go by him, and was substituted at half time. Took advantage of being subbed, to film the crowd and their involvement in the game.

Freddy Adu — Grande golo de pé direito, num remate à entrada da área, aliado a uma forte entrega ao jogo e pormenores de classe. Porque não joga mais?

Freddy Adu - Great goal with his right foot, in a shot right at the entrance of the box, a strong desire to play and technical skill details of class.

Cardozo — Sem inspiração. Nem de livre directo.

Cardozo - Without inspiration, not even on a free kick.

Sepsi — É defesa lateral, mas continua a ser utilizado, na maior parte das vezes, como médio interior. Será que o ajuda?

Sepsi - He is a side back, but continues to be used, for most of the time, as an interior midfield. Could this help him?

Yu Dabao — Esteve perto do golo em duas ocasiões, mas sem sucesso. Quer mostrar serviço.

Yu Dabao - Came close to scoring in two occasions, but without success. Wants to show his qualitites.

Pedro Correia — Exibição tranquila, sem complicar.

Pedro Correia - Tranquil exhibition, with simple playing.

Mantorras — Entrou e... marcou. À Mantorras.

Mantorras - Came in and....scored. Typical Mantorras.



Benfica will now travel to Angola where they will play another exhibition match against the angolan national team. The match will take place Wednesday May 21st.

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Adu returns...

Benfica won today's exhibition match against a select team from Cape Verde.
the 2-0 score line was obtained by Adu(5m) and Mantorras(90m)

Here's the starting 11 chosen by Chalana:

Moreira in goal; Maxi Pereira, Binya, Edcarlos and Léo were the back four; Felipe Bastos, Nuno Assis, Freddy Adu, and Rodriguez formed the midfield diamond. Di María and Cardozo teamed up the front line.

Also getting some playing time were:

Yu Dabao for Cardozo at the 64m
Pedro Correia for Adu at the 74m
Mantorras for DiMaria at the 90m



You don't have to be Carnac the Magnificent to guess what is probably going through Adu's mind.


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Cape Verde Trip

Benfica will travel to Cape Verde today, where they will play an exhibition match against San Vincente e Sal select team. The game will take place tomorrow, 5/16.
The following players will be making the trip:

Keepers: Butt and Moreira;
Defenders: Pedro Correia, Edcarlos, Nelson, Léo e Sepsi.
Midfielders: Fellipe Bastos, Binya, Maxi Pereira, Nuno Assis, Di María, Freddy Adu, Rodriguez and Fábio Coentrão.
Forwards: Yu Dabao, Cardozo, Mantorras and Makukula.

19 players in all, but Chalana will probably add one more to the lot.

Quim, Nuno Gomes as well as Petit will be left behind as they will have to report to National team Camp on the 19th. Also integrating their national teams are Zoro and Katsouranis, which explains why they have been absent from training.

In the defensive group, Pedro Correia is the new face, Correia was on loan at Portimonense. In Midfield, Adu will make the trip and possibly have some playing time. Coentrao who had an excellent end of year, will also be part of the team. Fellipe Basto's, who up until this time, has been unable to play with the senior squad, will finally get to play with the senior squad.
Dabao, who had returned to the team this week from loan, is the only fresh face in the forwards group.
The 20th player will most likely be Wagner, a junior central defender.

This trip is in addition to the Angola trip the team will be making on Monday, the 19th.

****EDIT***

Luisao was excused from the trip as his wife is pregnant. Nelson who will not be able to play will still be part of the roster as Cape Verde is his home country.

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Leo for 2 more years

Although Benfica has yet to officially confirm Leo's contract renewal, all 3 major Futebol Dailies are reporting that Leo and Benfica have reached an agreement for the left back to remain at Estadio da Luz for another 2 years.
Good News from Lisbon, in what was most likely Rui Costa's first action under his new functions.
Next up...... Cristian Rodriguez.

***EDIT***
In the press conference that served as the introduction of Rui Costa as Sporting Director, Rui Costa confirmed Leo's renewal and has also put the Eriksson option to bed, claiming that Benfica could not wait for the Swede's situation to develop.
In the meantime, Jose Peseiro has left Panathinaikos.
Rui Costa has also confirmed Benfica's signing of Ruben Amorim, but has claimed that Jorge Ribeiro has not signed with Benfica, but is part of a group of players that are of interest to Benfica.


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Benfica News - May 14th, 2008

Benfica is scheduled to officially introduce Rui Costa as their new Sporting Director today at 8pm(local time).

The Champions League might be a reality for Benfica after all.

Benfica prepares for trip to Angola.

Leo's contract renewal should happen this week.

Eriksson option now fading.

3 Benfica players on Scolari's Euro List


Click below to read more about these topics.



Benfica is scheduled to officially introduce Rui Costa as their new Sporting Director today at 8pm(local time). Rui Costa has already started working under his new functions and currently has several issues that he is dealing with.
The first issue is obviously finding a coach.
The second issue will deal with players whose contracts and/or loan periods are expiring(Leo and Rodriguez)


The Champions League might be a reality for Benfica after all. According to UEFA's rule book, namely 1.04 line D, any club found guilty of match fixing/correuption or attempt to match fix/corrupt will not be eligible to participate in European competition. As you may recall, Porto was recently found guilty of attempting to match fix, by the Portuguese Disciplinary Commitee, and were sanctioned with the loss of 6 points, these points were deducted off this season, with no significant impact to Porto, as they had a 20+ point lead to second. The decision came as the result of the "Golden Whistle" case. This UEFA law, is a fairly new law which was put in place at the time of the famous "Calcio Chaos" case. At the time Milan entered European competition, despite being heavily penalized by the Calcio Ruling Body, because there was no legislation by UEFA to prevent Milan from competing in Europe. UEFA was then prompted to insert that law, however, the law states that the "match fixing/corruption or attempt to match fix/corrupt" has to take place during the season in which the team earned an European berth, so a loophole.
Benfica has requested that the Portuguese Futebol Federation submit the results of the "Golden Whistle" case to the UEFA.
If UEFA does in fact get this report and sanctions Porto's ineligibility,both Guimaraes and Sporting would have direct access to the group stages of the Champion's League, while Benfica would have to play a pre-qualifier.


Benfica prepares for trip to Angola.
Benfica will travel to Africa, namely Angola, to play an exhibition match against Angola's national team, a team which was present in the last World Cup. The trip will take place between the 19th and the 23rd of May, the match will be played on the 21st. Trip roster should be announced sometime this week. In the mean time, both Yu Dabao and Pedro Correia were at practice today. Both players were on loan and are now back with the main team. Dabao was on loan at Desportivo das Aves, while Correia was on loan at Portimonense. Butt, Zoro and Katsouranis were not present in today's training session, no formal explanation was given by Benfica.
Rodriguez whose loan period ends in July will be part of the Angola trip.


Leo's contract renewal should happen this week.
Leo's representative arrived in Lisbon today, with the purpose of resolving Leo's future at Benfica. Leo has stated that he would not like to make the trip to Angola if his future is not decided before then, claiming an injury might affect any chances of him being picked by another club. Leo's situation is at the top of the list of Rui Costa's "to do" list, and it can very well be the first decision as the Sporting Director.


Eriksson option now fading
Apparently Eriksson is fading quick as an option for next year's coach. Benfica had initially approached Eriksson with an offer, but Eriksson had not heard anything from City president Thaksin Shinawatra as far as his future goes, and travelled with the team to Malaysia for an end of year tour. Shinawatra ordered Eriksson to get on the plane with the team, as he is still under contract, Eriksson wanted to stay in England to take care of his future.
Man City will return from Malaysia on the 23rd, a time which Benfica considers to be too late to name a coach, as finding and signing a coach is Benfica's top priority this week. Eriksson's agent has also revealed that the Swede has received a very attractive offer that he is considering. The offer and the offerer are unknown, but reports have surfaced that the Mexican Federation is interested in Eriksson's services. Friend blog - Starting 11 had previously explored the possibility of Eriksson coming to Benfica and how Benfica could be used as a bargaining chip.



3 Benfica players on Scolari's Euro List
Quim, Petit and Nuno Gomes, were named in Scolari's list of 23 players that will represent Portugal in Euro 08. Quim had a great year and fully deserves a shot at a starting job. Petit and Nuno Gomes had a year much like Benfica. Petit was affected by many injuries and wasn't able to play at 100% consistently. Nuno Gomes, was also affected by injuries, but his form never really reached anything significant. Scolari remains confident that both these players can bring a lot to the National team, claiming that Petit will be fully rehabilitated by the time Euro comes around.

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Thank You

I still remember the first time i watched Rui Costa play, it was during the U-20 World Cup that took place in Portugal in 91. His unique style, and flair really made him stick out, and after he scored the winning penalty against Brazil, he would forever be engraved in my memory.
The first time i watched him play live it was during the Portuguese Cup final in 93 when Benfica beat Boavista. At the time i was in Portugal with my family and it was perfect timing, as me and my dad made the trip to Estadio Nacional to watch, what was possibly, the best Benfica team of the past 15 years. I remember having his poster up in my room as he was a player i truly admired growing up.

It was with some sadness that i saw him depart to Italy, but at the time, it was only a matter of time. Rui was already an important player at Benfica at that time, and he was a great loss for Benfica at the time.
As he moved to Fiorentina, I would occasionally catch his games on TV in the US, as Rai Uno would broadcast a live game every Sunday morning here in the US. Every week i turned on the TV and hoped it was Fiorentina, so that i could watch Rui Costa.
I had another chance to see him live here in the States when Fiorentina played an exhibition match at Giants stadium, and then again a few years later when Milan did the same thing. The very last time i saw Rui Costa live was also at Giants stadium when Benfica played AEK, this past summer. Watching Rui Costa play, was magical, as i have never seen any player with the grace Rui Costa has, it's indescribable, the way he moves on the field with the ball at his feet, his movements perfectly synchronized, it is truly poetry in motion.
His return to Benfica is a true display of the love he has for the club, when many people said that he was too old, Rui responded by carrying Benfica.
He leaves on his own terms, at a time in which he could very well play another couple years, but Rui wants to leave on a high, and i'm sure the last thing he would like to do is to be dragging himself on the field. Too bad Benfica wasn't able to send him off in a nicer fashion, nonetheless, the season will be marked by how Rui Costa was Benfica, and how his class and talent avoided further embarrasment.

Thank You Rui for everything you have done for Benfica and Portuguese futebol. Thank you for the many joys you have brought me and Benfiquista's throughout the world. There are too many moments to remember, too many subliminal plays to describe, but that goal against England in Euro 04 is possibly the moment that brought me the most emotion while watching you.

I will miss what you brought to the field, game in and game out, not only your skill but your sportsmanship and your Benfiquismo.
I have no doubts you will be able to carry that same approach to your new functions.


Video that was shown before his last game

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Benfica 3 - Setubal 0 - A Worthy Send Off

Benfica finished off the season with a 3-0 home win against Setubal. On a night in which Rui Costa called it quits; the Benfica faithful filled Estadio da Luz, to say goodbye to the Maestro, more so than to push the team to an all important win, and subsequent third place finish, which was ultimately dependent on third party results.

Both Sporting and Guimaraes were playing at home, and the possibility of them losing points in the final fixture of the year, with so much at stake, seemed highly unlikely.
Benfica missed out on a great chance last week and could have ultimately locked up third place with this final win, had they beaten Amadora last weekend.

The last 11 of the season was the following:
Quim in goal, Nelson, Luisao, Edcarlos and Leo in the back. Katsouranis, Assis, Rui Costa and Rodriguez completed the midfield diamond. Up front it was Nuno Gomes and Cardozo.
Assis got the nod for the start in detriment of Maxi, and Katsouranis filled in for the suspended Petit.

Benfica started well and dominated the entire first half, with the fans behind the team, and wanting to finish the season with a bit of dignity. Benfica commanded most of the game, Setubal on the other hand, showed up in a compact tactical set up with only one man up front. There was nothing at stake for the League Cup champs, and they played a relaxed game, happy to give Benfica the initiative.
Benfica stringed passes together, and assumed control of the game, Rui Costa dictated the pace and almost all transitions and flank switches went through his feet. Benfica gave their first warning early, when, on two separate occasions, Leo and Edcarlos headed the ball very close to Setubal's goal. More fortunate was Katsouranis, who gave the best conclusion to a Rui Costa pin point cross to put Benfica ahead at the 26 minute mark. Benfica's attacks were mostly from the right side, where Nelson was very active; Assis, Rui Costa and Rodriguez, often switched positions in the midfield, and that gave Benfica a different attacking dynamic, something Benfica usually doesn't have when Maxi is on, as all three players have similar offensive characteristics and play the short give and go game with great effectiveness. Up front, Nuno Gomes and Cardozo worked hard to create spaces and lose their markers. It was on one of those movements that Cardozo put Benfica up 2-0. Cardozo appeared on the top corner of the box to receive a ball from Rui Costa, and after a good first touch to create a bit of space, Cardozo got past his defender and fired a low rocket into the furthest of corners. It was his 22nd goal of the season, 13th in the Bwin. Benfica would go into the locker room justifying the scoreline, but losing Nelson to injury. Nelson who was being a catalyst for Benfica's attack, suffered what appeared to be a muscle pull, and had to be substituted by Maxi at right back.

From the other two matches, the news weren't all that great - Sporting, who had gone down 1-0, completed the turn around and was now leading 2-1. Guimaraes who had stayed off the score sheet for most of the half, scored in the last 8 minutes of the half, on what would end up being the start of a blow out.

With Maxi already on the field, the second half started, Benfica lost the wing play Nelson had been providing, and with that, some of the attacking pace, still, Benfica seemed to control all aspects of the game, with Setubal content to play on the counter, but not with much success.
DiMaria was Chalana's next choice, and made his way on for Assis in the 64th minute, that seemed to bring back some of the speed that was lost from the first half. Benfica continued to attack and Nuno Gomes had a couple of great opportunities to add to Benfica's tally, but couldn't finish them.
In the 86th minute, the moment all had hoped never came - Rui Costa's good bye. The fourth official lifted up the substitution board that indicated "10", the public responded with a standing ovation for The Maestro, who said goodbye to all of his team mates on his way out, visibly emotional, Rui Costa walked off the field thanking the fans, as the fans realized it was perhaps an end of an era, the last great Benfica player of the "golden generation", who had chosen to finish out his career playing for the club he has loved all his life, in front of "his" public. On his terms, with all of his skill faculties, possibly the second best way to go out - first from an individual standpoint.
Binya came in for Rui Costa and had time to celebrate the final goal, Nuno Gomes would close out the night with a goal in the 88th minute, after a skilled touchline play from DiMaria.
The final whistle sounded and fourth place was how Benfica would finish this 07/08 year. Guimaraes blew out Amadora 4-0, and Sporting held on to the 2-1 lead against Boavista.

Individually:

Quim - 6
Nelson - 7
Luisao - 7
Edcarlos - 7
Leo - 7
Katsouranis -8
Rui Costa - 8
Rodriguez - 7
Assis - 6
Nuno Gomes - 6
Cardozo - 8

Maxi - 6
DiMaria - 7
Binya - NA

MOM - Rui Costa

In the very near future i will do a series of posts i which i will breakdown the season, how the new acquisitions fared, and look at the future as a new coach is appointed.

Highlights

Rui Costa's final Press Conference

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Benfica - Setubal - Game Preview

The last game of the season matches up Benfica and Vitoria de Setubal. It'll be the fourth time these two teams meet this year, Setubal won once, for the Carlsberg Cup, and both teams played to a deadlock the other two times. Setubal comes into this match 5th, 4 points behind Benfica, and with a good chance of being in the Uefa Cup.
Benfica will once again try to win and hope that Sporting and Guimaraes both slip.


This game takes on a different importance, despite being the last game of the season, with important consequences, it is also the last time Benfiquistas will get to see Rui Costa in action, as the maestro has decided he will hang up his boots after Sunday's game. It may also be the last time we see Luisao, Leo, Rodriguez and Katsouranis. Luisao has been linked to a Portsmouth summer transfer. Katsouranis has expressed his desire to leave, and Benfica will listen to offers. Leo and Rodriguez, are waiting for Benfica to resolve their future. Leo's contract is expiring and both parties have yet to reach an agreement. Rodriguez's option to buy time is running out, and the wages the player wants seem a bit much for Benfica. Letting both of these players go would be a grave mistake, in my opinion.

As i write this, i don't know what the game roster will look like, but i have a feeling Chalana will call all of the players for this match.

Here's what a possible 11 will look like:

Quim, Nelson, Luisao, Edcarlos, and Leo. Katsouranis, Rodriguez, Maxi and Rui Costa. Nuno Gomes and Cardozo up front. There's a possibility DiMaria might start on the left side of the midfield in detriment of Maxi.
Petit will not be available for this match as he serves a 1 match ban for accumulation of yellow cards.

Expect a sold out crowd at Estadio da Luz, a crowd that will come to pay tribute to Rui Costa in his last game. The team needs an inspired performance if they are to beat Setubal. Not a game to be missed, as Benfica's PR has already said it would be a memorable night.

Guimaraes will face Amadora, who hasn't practice for the last couple of days due to unpaid wages. Sporting will play Boavista who has also been in a state of turmoil this week, with the club's directive resigning due to the clubs poor financial situation.

As a Benfiquista, i still have hope that the team can at least reach 3rd place. Although they haven't done much this season to deserve that place, a club of Benfica's stature needs to be in the Champions League, year in and year out.

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Eriksson Approached

Maisfutebol reports that Luis Felipe Vieira, Rui Costa and Paulo Goncalves were in Manchester today in a meeting with Eriksson. Portuguese Tv station Sic, has also shown video of the three Benfica representatives leaving a Hotel in the city of Manchester today. Eriksson and his agent left the same hotel a bit later.

Eriksson is currently under contract with Manchester City, but has been the target of much criticism. There were talks that Eriksson would be on the outs, but those talks have yet to materialize into something conclusive. Under his current contract, Eriksson earns 4 million Euros a year at Manchester, a salary that is very far from Benfica's possibilities.

I'm sure we will hear of more developmenst in the next couple of days


-END-

Type rest of the post here

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E.Amadora 0 - Benfica 0 - Worthy of 4th Place

#Photo credit - Paulo Duarte/AP

Another tie, another bad result, another missed opportunity.
With today's tie, Benfica has passed their number of wins with their number of ties. 12 wins, 13 ties and 4 losses is something that says a lot about this year's Benfica.
Why there's still people out there that wonder why Benfica is currently in fourth is beyond me, as the team continues to prove, time and time again, that's where they deserve to be.
Benfica could have even taken advantage of the Guimaraes tie, and ascend to 3rd place, but the missed opportunities seem to be an all too familiar tale this season.


For the next to last game of the season, Chalana called on the following 11:

Quim; Nelson, Luisao, Edcarlos and Sepsi as the back 4. Petit, Maxi, Rui Costa and Rodriguez made up the midfield quartet. Up front, it was Nuno Gomes and Cardozo.

The game in itself was a uneventful, and boring. Benfica came out flat, without game flow or any type of well constructed plays, to be quite honest, the only positive of the first 45 minutes was a Cardozo blast that found the cross bar, right before the half. I had mentioned in my preview that Rui Costa's condition would be key for Benfica's success and the Maestro was very sub-par for this game, after all Friday was the only training session he was part of. The midfield was totally lost, without solutions to organize the team's game, playing in a smaller field Benfica failed to use the whole width of the field to decongest the middle. The defense had a good game defending, attacking was a different story, Sepsi seemed too nervous during the first half, Nelson matched to perfection his partner the awful Maxi. With the two side backs being ineffective, Benfica's game lost what could have very well been the key to this game - wing play.
From across town, cames news of a Guimaraes tie at the half, and Benfica came out more aggressive in the second half, but as it is in most cases, uncontrolled, uncoordinated aggression will often lead nowhere, and that was exactly where Benfica was getting nowhere.
There was no one to think Benfica's game, and while the wing play had improved with DiMaria's entrance at the half. Benfica still couldn't put anything together that could create any mismatches in the back. Maxi dropped to right back, as Nelson gave way to DiMaria and the Argentinean tried his best to make the difference with his characteristic bursts of speed, but to no avail. Benfica's best chances came from dead ball situations, namely corners. It was from a corner that Luisao had an incredible miss, the ball came to him and alone inside the 6 yeard box, Luisao did the hardest - missed the whole goal. Mantorras came in for Nuno Gomes, but didn't add much to the game, off his feet came Benfica's second scandalous miss, Mantorras fired a shot that was saved incompletely by the Amadora keeper, the ball came to Edcarlos who with just the keeper to beat failed to make the difference.
Assis was the last choice off the bench, he substituted Petit in the 79th minute, but he too added nothing to the game.

I'd be wasting my time to rate the players individually as they were all pretty awful.

Sporting beat P.Ferreira and has now moved into sole possession of 2nd. Guimaraes, who tied at Belenenses, benefited from Benfica's tie to remain in control and in third place.

While it's very easy to criticize Chalana's choices after a bad result, i have to wonder what is going on through his head. Surely it is not all of his fault, as he has said, time and time again, that he is an employee of the club and he will do what the club asks of him. Maybe he gets the line up handed down to him.
The exclusion of Freddy Adu continues to be a big mystery, surely Benfica could have used someone of his talent today, and the same goes for all the games he hasn't been called for. Unbelievable also, is how a player like Maxi continues to be a starter. Why did Benfica buy Makukula? Why does Mantorras continue to be part of the roster? He is not a threat to any of the starters, and has remained a bench player for years now, it's time someone analyzes what the player can contribute to the team and in what capacities.

I'm looking forward to the end of this nightmare. I'll continue to believe that 3rd place is still reachable, but after performances like this, being a benfiquista is perhaps the only thing that still keeps me believing.



Highlights

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Estrela da Amadora - Benfica - Preview

Benfica will travel a short distance to Amadora to face locals Estrela this Sunday. It'll be Benfica's last away game of the regular season, in what Chalana dubbed as one of two "finals" for Benfica.
Estrela da Amadora is currently is currently in 13th place, with a home record of 3 wins, 2 losses, and 9 ties, Benfica will try to add to the loss tally, as only a win, could keep Benfica's hopes of the Champions League alive.


For the game against Estrela, Chalana has called on the following players:

Keeper: Quim and Moreira
Defenders: Nelson, Zoro, Luisão, Edcarlos and Sepsi .
Midfielders: Nuno Assis, Binya, Petit, Rui Costa, Rodríguez, Maxi and Di Maria.
Forwards: Nuno Gomes, Mantorras, Makukula and Cardozo.

Looks like Moreira has relegated Butt to the third goal keeper spot, as he continues to deserve Chalana's vote of confidence. Out of the defender list is Leo, who struggled all week with an injury and wasn't 100% for this game. Also forced to sit out due to an injury is Luis Felipe. Returning to the game roster are Petit, Maxi and Binya. The first one is back to "healthy", as he was forced to sit out last week due to an injury. Binya and Maxi return after serving disciplinary suspensions. Katsouranis will serve a mandatory 1 game suspension for consecutive yellows. Still no Freddy Adu, as he continues to be a card out of the deck for Chalana. Freddy is one appearance short of 20.

Possible line up:

Quim in goal. Nelson, Luisao, Edcarlos and Sepsi in the back.
Petit, Rodriguez, Maxi and Rui Costa will compose the midfield diamond. Up Front will be Cardozo and possibly Nuno Gomes, but I wouldn't discard DiMaria in the supporting role either.

Not a very tough match for Benfica in the sense of the game itself, the true hardship lies on the importance of the game, its significance and subsequent pressure to win. With both Guimaraes and Sporting having to play their hardest game(of the two remaining) this week, it is imperative that Benfica wins this game, as all three teams will play home their last game, with Sporting and Guimaraes having theoretically easier games than Benfica.

Expect a firm Benfica trying to solve the game quickly. That same firmness needs to be present throughout the game, especially if opportunities are not put away and the scoreline remains even late in the game.
Rui Costa did a lot of recuperation work all week, his condition will be key to Benfica's success. The sooner Benfica can put away the game, the sooner the Maestro can be rested for his "final battle", coming up in a weeks time.

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