Benfica had a four point lead heading into the final three matches of the campaign. A draw against Estoril now cut that lead to two points, heading into a pivotal match against Porto.

A promising four point lead at the top of the Portuguese League had Benfica fans and their players feeling extremely confident. All of that confidence has quickly turned into some doubt after a heroic performance from Estoril on Monday night, which earned them a one goal draw at the Estádio da Luz.

Now, Benfica needs to regroup and put together one of their most important performances of the whole season. 

Facing humiliation should be more than enough to get the players prepared for this match from a mental perspective. But, if that will not do it, then maybe the fact that they have a chance to claim the Portuguese title at their rivals stadium will do the trick. 

Being able to get revenge after the Porto players celebrated in Lisbon just two years ago would be ideal for the Benfica players and fans, but in order to that, the visitors will need a special performance from everyone involved.

 

 

Artur Moraes

Here is a 32-year-old goalkeeper who not many people knew much about just three years ago when he arrived at Braga. One stand out season with the Bracarenses was enough to get Benfica's attention, among many other clubs who were interested.

With him he brought confidence to a side that was just getting rid of a very inconsistent shot stopper in Roberto. 

Already in his second year, Artur has proven that he is the right man for the job. Watching him perform brings back memories of Michel Preud'homme. Positional know how and the ability to inject confidence into a side with a crucial save is what sets him aside from your average player.

Away from home, Artur has conceded nine goals, giving him a 0.64 goals against average, while at home, he has done slightly better, with a 0.57 goals against average, having conceded eight goals. Overall, Artur and the rest of his teammates are averaging 0.61 goals against per game in the domestic league. 

In this match on Saturday, Artur will be looking to bounce back after conceding a very soft goal on Monday. The only explanation that can be made for that goal is that he was expecting the Estoril player to touch it, but that touch never came, leaving the Brazilian to grab the ball from the back of his net.

Artur now returns to a stadium where he has played a few times now, and against a club which caused him problems earlier this season.

A 2-2 draw at the Estádio da Luz does not tell the story of Porto's second goal. Artur's mental lapse resulted in him losing the ball outside the Benfica 18-yard-box, gifting Jackson Martinez a goal. Bouncing back from that has been something Benfica has been able to do throughout the season, but they will certainly not have faced a match of this magnitude.

Porto will need to throw everything at Benfica in an attempt to grab the full three points, which would put them in prime position to reclaim the title. 

Trying to stop that from happening will be Artur and the rest of his defenders. Benfica will need a confident performance from their goalkeeper if they are to have any hopes of even grabbing a point. One positive for him is that after having that mental lapse against Porto, Benfica bounced back with a 0-2 victory over Moreirense.

Can the Águias bounce back from Monday's draw with a positive result?

 

Nico Gaitan

In Gaitan, Benfica has a player that could have a bad game, but from one moment to the next, he is capable of creating something brilliant out of nothing. His appetite and willingness to get involved will be vital for Benfica against Porto.

When Benfica was looking elimination right in the face after their 1-0 defeat against Fenerbahce, they were able to pull together and put together a performance that many believe was their best during the 2012/13 campaign. Gaitan's first goal in that second match lifted the team and gave them confidence that they could go on and progress to the final.

His ability to carry the ball and make defense splitting passes is what makes him so important to this Benfica side.

On the down side, Nico's confidence makes him a player that likes to have the ball at his feet, which at times causes issues for Benfica on the defensive end. His trickery at times gets him in trouble when getting caught on the ball while the team is in transition. Making sure he does not do that too much on Saturday will likely be something Jorge Jesus will talk to him about.

When you look at the big picture of the Argentine, when operating through the middle, he can be a serious nightmare to defend against. The only certainty you have when defending him is knowing that he will shoot with his left foot 10 out of 10 times. Other than that, he can take you right or left.

With a goal in his last two meetings with Porto, one home and one away, Gaitan will need to get involved as often as possible. We all know that on the right side Salvio's consistent performances will pull through, but without another difference maker in the final third, Benfica could really struggle to get the ball to their forwards. 

Having scored at the Dragão last season in a 2-2 draw, and at the Estádio da Luz earlier this season, also in a 2-2 draw, could Gaitan make it three for three?

 

Nemanja Matic

When Benfica parted ways with David Luiz in January of 2011, many fans were not only heart broken that the Brazilian defender had left, but they were also uncertain as to who Matic was. After having completed the transfer, the Serbian midfielder was allowed to finish his season at Vitesse.

After finally joining his new club for the start of the 2011/12 campaign, Matic did not have too many opportunities. He was not only new to the club and the league, but he was also competing for a spot against Javi Garcia and Axel Witsel. Two very strong players who happened to adapt very quickly to the league and their teammates.

One year later and after the departure of the two mentioned above, Matic is the new boss in the Benfica midfield. Who would have known that the 24-year-old would turn out to be such a pivotal piece for Jorge Jesus' side.

He not only defends, but he attacks and scores goals. His height gives him an advantage on set pieces, while his patience on and off the ball set the tone in the midfield. 

Just when you are almost certain that he held onto the ball too long, he finds a way to somehow avoid a defender. Long strides and long legs make him difficult to beat, along with his physical nature.

Without him, Benfica's midfield would be in serious trouble, which is why his performance in every match is instrumental for his side. 

Top players always find a way to rise to the top in crucial matches. Matic and his teammates will not have faced such a crucial match all season long, giving the world an opportunity to see who really is worth all the hype. 

His performance against Porto earlier in the season was just as influential as any of his others, but it will be marked with a superb side volley which brought Benfica even with one goal. Reproducing such a goal on Saturday will be difficult, but at the end of the day, he will likely be more concerned with the final result.

With Enzo Perez still in doubt for this match, Benfica will need Matic to command the midfield more than ever. His size, stamina and patience could be just what Benfica needs to calm them down early on in the match.

 

Who else from Benfica could play an important role in Saturday's match?

 

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