High-flying Benfica host Olhanense in Lisbon on Saturday night looking for their 11th win in 13 games and their 6th successive victory.
Things could hardly have gone any better for the Eagles so far this season. Still unbeaten in 2011/12, Benfica negotiated two tricky opponents in Champions League qualifying and have been just as impressive in the competition proper, currently sitting atop Group C with a good chance of winning the section.
On the domestic front results have been just as impressive. Six wins and two draws from eight games see Benfica joint top of the standings alongside FC Porto. Just days before their next Champions League engagement, coach Jorge Jesus does not want any drop in his team’s focus.
“Our main objective this season is to win the national championship, so our priority is to look at the game against Olhanense. Only afterwards will we think about the Basel game. Luckily we are leading the table in the two competitions, but our big goal is winning the championship,” said the experienced manager.
And his players will do well to heed Jesus’ advice. Olhanense have started the season impressively themselves, and the Algarve outfit are currently sitting pretty in sixth. “Olhanense are having a very impressive season and they have already taken points off one of our main rivals (Olhanense drew away at Sporting in the first game of the season). They will bring a strong defensive game here and break quickly on the counter-attack.”
Benfica have been boosted by the news that Uruguayan right-back Maxi Pereira is fit again. The Uruguayan seemed set for a long layoff after being stretchered off the pitch in Benfica’s win in Basel ten days ago, but the injury was not as serious as first thought and Maxi is now fully recovered and included in the squad. Javi García, who has an injured left leg, and long-term injury victim Enzo Perez are the only two absentees.
Olhanense coach Daúto Fáquira made no bones that his side would be looking to play a tight game and if they sneaked a draw he would not complain. “If I said that a draw would not be good, I would be living in a different dimension. We are Olhanense and we are going to face Benfica and so it’s natural that they are favorites,” said Fáquira.
“We will play the game with respect against an extremely difficult opponent but we want to show our identity and try to play a good game, sticking to our principles.”
Kick off at the Estádio da Luz at 8.30pm local time.
On the domestic front results have been just as impressive. Six wins and two draws from eight games see Benfica joint top of the standings alongside FC Porto. Just days before their next Champions League engagement, coach Jorge Jesus does not want any drop in his team’s focus.
“Our main objective this season is to win the national championship, so our priority is to look at the game against Olhanense. Only afterwards will we think about the Basel game. Luckily we are leading the table in the two competitions, but our big goal is winning the championship,” said the experienced manager.
And his players will do well to heed Jesus’ advice. Olhanense have started the season impressively themselves, and the Algarve outfit are currently sitting pretty in sixth. “Olhanense are having a very impressive season and they have already taken points off one of our main rivals (Olhanense drew away at Sporting in the first game of the season). They will bring a strong defensive game here and break quickly on the counter-attack.”
Benfica have been boosted by the news that Uruguayan right-back Maxi Pereira is fit again. The Uruguayan seemed set for a long layoff after being stretchered off the pitch in Benfica’s win in Basel ten days ago, but the injury was not as serious as first thought and Maxi is now fully recovered and included in the squad. Javi García, who has an injured left leg, and long-term injury victim Enzo Perez are the only two absentees.
Olhanense coach Daúto Fáquira made no bones that his side would be looking to play a tight game and if they sneaked a draw he would not complain. “If I said that a draw would not be good, I would be living in a different dimension. We are Olhanense and we are going to face Benfica and so it’s natural that they are favorites,” said Fáquira.
“We will play the game with respect against an extremely difficult opponent but we want to show our identity and try to play a good game, sticking to our principles.”
Kick off at the Estádio da Luz at 8.30pm local time.
