Ever since Jornada 7 ended with Benfica taking a narrow 1-0 win at home against eternal rivals Porto, we’ve been looking forward to the return fixture. Five months later and that moment has arrived, as Benfica make the journey up north to face Porto in the Portuguese Clássico, the biggest game in the Portuguese football calendar in recent years.
That game saw Benfica overtake Porto in the standings, but with only two points separating the sides. Now, with 23 games played, Benfica have extended the gap over Porto to 9 points and are very much in the title race, whereas Porto’s season has been disappointing, and this game could be the last opportunity for the Dragons to give themselves any hope of a top two finish come the end of the season.
PortuGOAL previews Sunday’s big game, and the rest of the Primeira Liga action this weekend.
FC Porto v Benfica preview
This game doesn’t need anything attached to it to make it an occasion – a pre-season friendly between the two sides’ youth teams would be big enough for the fans – but the fact that this game could have real ramifications on the title race makes it extra special. Of course, it’s only Benfica who realistically remain in the title race, but a win would lay down a serious marker for a Benfica side who started the season slowly, but have really moved through the gears in recent weeks and now pose a serious threat to their Lisbon rivals Sporting.
Benfica in formidable form
The Eagles have turned a corner since the turn of the year and are top of the form table in 2024. Benfica have won 9 and drawn one of their last 10 Primeira Liga games. They only dropped points against a strong Vitória side in tough conditions. Recent wins included scoring 4 against Portimonense, 6 against Vizela, and putting on some formidable displays. The good form of Schmidt’s men, however, was dampened somewhat by a 2-1 loss in the first leg of their Taça de Portugal semi-final against Sporting yesterday. It was not the start they would’ve wanted to a big week including the upcoming Clássico, and the Europa league knockout first-leg game at home against Rangers.
Striker or no striker? That is the question
Roger Schmidt has been trying out a new system recently using longstanding star player Rafa Silva as a central striker ahead of Artur Cabral, Casper Tengstedt and Marcos Leonardo with mixed results. The new look Benfica strike force of Rafa, David Neres, and Di María has dazzled in front of goal against smaller teams in the league, but didn’t make the same impact against Sporting in the cup on Thursday, and has failed in other games against tough opposition, such as versus Porto in the Super Cup (Benfica improved only when bringing on a striker) and against Inter Milan in the Champions League match in Italy. Again, against Sporting yesterday, Benfica only got going from an attacking point of view once they brought on a recognised striker in the form of Casper Tengstedt. It will be interesting to see what System Schmidt goes for against Porto.
Which Porto will turn up?
Porto go into this game in a very different position. This season has had too many blips and upsets to be considered anything other than underwhelming – the recent home win against Arsenal in the Champions League one of few genuinely inspiring results. That it was followed up with a lacklustre home draw in the league against Gil Vicente perfectly sums up Porto’s season.
It is however fair to point out that it has been a disrupted season at Porto. Mehdi Taremi looked set to move in the summer but a move never materialised and instead he limped through the start of the season performing at far below his usual level, before leaving for the Asian Cup and signing a pre-contract agreement to join Inter Milan in the summer. They’ve struggled to find a starting XI that can convince week in week out, but recently have found some stability with the performances of Evanilson as a lone striker, Alan Varela performing well in midfield, Francisco Conceição providing some youthful exuberance on the wing, and Galeno stepping up in big games when needed. But the main thing Porto will have in this game that they didn’t have the last time the two teams played in the league, is a solid pairing in the centre of defence.
New signing Otávio shines
When Benfica beat Porto 1-0 at the Estádio da Luz Porto lined up with David Carmo and Fábio Cardoso at the heart of their defence (the latter would be sent off 20 minutes into the game, whilst the former was loaned out in January to Olympiacos), but in this game expect to see Pepe and new signing Otávio forming a much more accomplished defensive unit. Otávio, signed in the January transfer window from Famalicão, has instantly impressed in his last two starts, and 41-year-old Pepe is as dependable as he’s ever been, especially in games of this magnitude.
It would be fair then to draw a conclusion that these are two teams in very different places, and having very different seasons, and it would be easy therefore to predict a Benfica win as the team in significantly better form, but to assume anything in the fiercest derby in Portugal would be foolhardy, and it would especially foolish to write off a Porto team in a Clássico whilst they are managed by Sergio Conceição.
Conceição the master motivator
There are many criticisms that can be laid at the door of the Porto manager - his stubborn nature, his unwillingness to change his starting lineup, his antics on the touchline during games to name a few - but one thing that he must be given credit for is his ability to motivate his team, get his tactics right and get results in big games, even when his team are out of form. The recent win against Arsenal was a perfect example of this, and it shouldn’t be doubted that his team will be able to put on a similarly stirring performance against Benfica in this huge game.
So where does that leave us? A game with a favourite on paper perhaps, but which is never won on paper. A game which can so often be decided by key moments, be it a sending off, a confrontation between players, or, as all neutrals will be hoping for, a moment of magic in a game between two of Portuguese football’s giants. Whatever happens, it will be simply unmissable.
Sporting v Farense
Of course, the Clássico isn’t the only game happening in Portugal this weekend, so let’s take a quick look at the rest of the action. One team that will be keeping a close eye on that game is of course Sporting, hoping for a draw or a Porto win which would give them an opportunity to go back to the top of the table. The Lions host Farense at the Estádio José Alvalade, and should get a win as clear favourites against the newly promoted side who started the season strongly but have struggled in recent weeks, winning only two of their last 12 matches.
Braga v Estrela da Amadora
Conversely, Braga will be hoping for a Benfica win which would allow them to draw level with Porto in 3rd place, and keep them in the hunt for Champions League football. The return of Simon Banza to the side has been a huge boost and helped improve their form in recent games. They’re at home to Estrela da Amadora in a game which, similarly to Sporting, they’ll be expected to win.
Moreirense v Rio Ave
There’s an interesting game in Moreira de Conégos as Moreirense host Rio Ave. Moreirense have spent the whole season in good form and occupy 6th place, whilst Rio Ave’s form has improved drastically since the January transfer window. They look like a new team under Luís Freire with some interesting new signings. Rio Ave are bussing 500 fans into the snappily named Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas, ensuring it’ll be a great atmosphere.
Casa Pia v Gil Vicente
There are plenty of other games to keep an eye on, but our final word goes to Casa Pia who have very quickly made themselves one of the teams to watch, since appointing rooky manager Gonçalo Santos. He is only 37 years old and his only previous coaching experience was being assistant manager at Casa Pia since the start of this season, but he has overseen two surprise wins in his first two games against Arouca and Vitória, steering his side away from the relegation zone. They’re at home to Gil Vicente in a game worth watching to see if this new patch of form is just a flash in the pan, or part of something more exciting.
Three players to keep an eye on this weekend
Pablo Roberto (Casa Pia): For those digging a bit deeper into Primeira Liga football this weekend, keep an eye out for Pablo at Casa Pia, a 24-year-old midfielder by trade, who’s been moved to the wing by new Casa Pia manager Gonçalo Santos, and who has sprung into life in his new position. A key part of the recent Casa Pia revival
Rafa Silva (Benfica): A man who needs no introduction. As we mentioned on the most recent episode of the Long Ball Futebol podcast, Rafa often goes missing for Benfica at this point of the campaign, but instead this season he has found himself in some of the finest form of his career. Whether in his new role leading the line for Benfica, or playing behind a more conventional striker, he’ll be a key figure against Porto.
Otávio (Porto): Two fine performances in his first starts for Porto have made the Brazilian central defender an instant hit among the Porto fans and neutral observers alike. Porto lacked his stability at the back in the first game against Benfica this season. His presence alongside Pepe could make a real difference.
by Albert Carter-Phillips (@LongBallFutebol)
