As two teams with massive history get set to take on each other, nothing less can be expected from a fascinating encounter with Porto aiming to clinch the Liga Sagres in their rivals fortress this Sunday.
The stage has been set for Andre Villas-Boas to make history with Porto this Sunday. Benfica will host FC Porto at Estádio da Luz, knowing that a defeat could be a massive disaster for the fans of the Águias. FC Porto will clinch the Liga Sagres title if they beat Benfica on Sunday- it's as simple as that.
An encounter between these two teams is always something to look forward to considering that great rivalry and history between these two Portuguese giants. But this Sunday will see a new dimension being added to this encounter as Benfica will be going all out to avoid the twinge of seeing the rivals clinch the title in front of their own fans.
Both teams have faced each other twice already this season with each winning one of them. However, the significant 5-0 defeat to Porto last November will definitely be strongly attached to any ideas of revenge that comes within Jorge Jesus' squad.
FC Porto have been an icon of consistency this season, winning 22 out of their 24 league games so far while drawing the other two. Their unbeaten streak in the league has seen them literally dominate the Portuguese League from the beginning while also presenting them a chance to score bull's eye with five more matches to spare.
Andre Villas-Boas said that his side are not obsessed with the prospect of winning the title on their rivals ground although he did insist that Porto would have to grab any chance presented in front of them, starting with the game on Sunday.
He said: "The unpredictable can happen. Borussia Dortmund had a 13-point lead in Germany, and has currently seven. There are situations that can delay title wins.
"This shows that we must be attentive and only celebrate at the right time. We have to grasp the challenge that it is. We can’t forget what happened here last year, when Benfica had the chance to be crowned champion in this stadium.
"However, it’s not an obsession. If we fail at Estádio da Luz, then we’ll try at other grounds or even at home. The match will bring a strong emotional charge, but that’s not new to us.
"But again, we want to conclude the championship in the next round. It will be a tremendous game due to the possibility of being crowned champions, with the overload of the national team matches and the proximity of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.
"There is much at stake, decisions must be taken. We hope that the title race comes about as soon as possible, should we not win at Estádio da Luz."
Jorge Jesus will be having a very tough job on his hands as he tries to recuperate his already fatigued squad. The likes of Fabio Coentrao and Carlos Martins were all heavily involved with their national teams in the recently concluded international break and it will be interesting to see how they cope with the added intensity of matches between these two.
Benfica legend Antonio Simões has admitted that he would hate to be in Jesus' position ahead of Sunday's game considering that he also has to prepare his squad for a daunting Europa League clash with PSV next week.
"It's not easy for Jesus to manage this situation. Although he knows that Porto will be the champion, this is a special game and Jesus will want to demonstrate to fans that this game is very special.
"It is inconceivable to see any lack of effort in a game as important as this. However, it will be hard for him- with his hands also being tied with the Europa League tie next week."
Benfica are the only team to have been Portuguese champion without being defeated in 1972/73. Antonio Simoes was part of this team and has pleaded for the current crop players to make sure they retain this piece of history at the end of the season.
"I had the privilege of belonging to a generation that did this and it will be a huge motivation for the players of FC Porto, because they can make history.
"As for our players, they must try everything to preserve the fact that Benfica will be the only team to have been crowned as 'Unbeaten Champions," he concluded.
Anyhow, this clash will definitely be a match to remember in the years to come. Two teams with two different aspirations at this point will lock horns with two different mindsets as well.
Porto will be aware that the league title is now a foregone conclusion while Benfica will be eager to not let their much-hated rivals celebrate in their own Coliseum.
Could Benfica delay the party among the Dragões? Or will FC Porto heap more misery on their already agonized opponents?
Follow up with Live Soccer TV as we bring you all the important news and updates ahead of the all important clash.
An encounter between these two teams is always something to look forward to considering that great rivalry and history between these two Portuguese giants. But this Sunday will see a new dimension being added to this encounter as Benfica will be going all out to avoid the twinge of seeing the rivals clinch the title in front of their own fans.
Both teams have faced each other twice already this season with each winning one of them. However, the significant 5-0 defeat to Porto last November will definitely be strongly attached to any ideas of revenge that comes within Jorge Jesus' squad.
FC Porto have been an icon of consistency this season, winning 22 out of their 24 league games so far while drawing the other two. Their unbeaten streak in the league has seen them literally dominate the Portuguese League from the beginning while also presenting them a chance to score bull's eye with five more matches to spare.
Andre Villas-Boas said that his side are not obsessed with the prospect of winning the title on their rivals ground although he did insist that Porto would have to grab any chance presented in front of them, starting with the game on Sunday.
He said: "The unpredictable can happen. Borussia Dortmund had a 13-point lead in Germany, and has currently seven. There are situations that can delay title wins.
"This shows that we must be attentive and only celebrate at the right time. We have to grasp the challenge that it is. We can’t forget what happened here last year, when Benfica had the chance to be crowned champion in this stadium.
"However, it’s not an obsession. If we fail at Estádio da Luz, then we’ll try at other grounds or even at home. The match will bring a strong emotional charge, but that’s not new to us.
"But again, we want to conclude the championship in the next round. It will be a tremendous game due to the possibility of being crowned champions, with the overload of the national team matches and the proximity of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.
"There is much at stake, decisions must be taken. We hope that the title race comes about as soon as possible, should we not win at Estádio da Luz."
Jorge Jesus will be having a very tough job on his hands as he tries to recuperate his already fatigued squad. The likes of Fabio Coentrao and Carlos Martins were all heavily involved with their national teams in the recently concluded international break and it will be interesting to see how they cope with the added intensity of matches between these two.
Benfica legend Antonio Simões has admitted that he would hate to be in Jesus' position ahead of Sunday's game considering that he also has to prepare his squad for a daunting Europa League clash with PSV next week.
"It's not easy for Jesus to manage this situation. Although he knows that Porto will be the champion, this is a special game and Jesus will want to demonstrate to fans that this game is very special.
"It is inconceivable to see any lack of effort in a game as important as this. However, it will be hard for him- with his hands also being tied with the Europa League tie next week."
Benfica are the only team to have been Portuguese champion without being defeated in 1972/73. Antonio Simoes was part of this team and has pleaded for the current crop players to make sure they retain this piece of history at the end of the season.
"I had the privilege of belonging to a generation that did this and it will be a huge motivation for the players of FC Porto, because they can make history.
"As for our players, they must try everything to preserve the fact that Benfica will be the only team to have been crowned as 'Unbeaten Champions," he concluded.
Anyhow, this clash will definitely be a match to remember in the years to come. Two teams with two different aspirations at this point will lock horns with two different mindsets as well.
Porto will be aware that the league title is now a foregone conclusion while Benfica will be eager to not let their much-hated rivals celebrate in their own Coliseum.
Could Benfica delay the party among the Dragões? Or will FC Porto heap more misery on their already agonized opponents?
Follow up with Live Soccer TV as we bring you all the important news and updates ahead of the all important clash.
