Benfica travel to the smallest ground in the Portuguese top flight tomorrow, Feirense, aiming to rack up a ninth successive win and pile further pressure on FC Porto.
The Eagles are soaring high having lost just once in all competitions this season, and at last pulled away from bitter rivals FC Porto at the table summit at the start of this calendar year, albeit holding just a two-point lead.
Jorge Jesus’ team take on Feirense, who have recently moved back into their newly renovated Marcolino de Castro Stadium, which has a capacity of five thousand fans.
“We’re going to play in a stadium that is small but which is full of passion,” warned Jesus. “It won’t be the most artistic of games and we have to realise that. It’s going to be a difficult game because against Benfica the other teams run twice as much as what they normally do. Also we have to remember Feirense took points off FC Porto at home.”
The charismatic coach will be hoping Oscar Cardozo continues his red-hot form. The Paraguayan marksman has hit the net 9 times in his last 7 appearances, and has re-established himself as Benfica’s chief goal threat.
Feirense have surprised many with their spirited showing after getting promoted into the top flight for the first time in twenty years last season. The modest outfit from Santa Maria da Feira currently have four teams between themselves and the foot of the table, and survival in Portugal’s top division would be a tremendous achievement for a club of such meagre resources.
Although well organised by impressive coach Quim Machado, Feirense’s major problem all season has been scoring. Just 13 goals in 19 matches tells its own story.
No such problems for Benfica. The Lisbon giants have hit the target no fewer than 22 times in their last 6 matches, and with a full strength squad to pick from, few would bet against a Benfica win.
Kick off at 8.30pm local time on Saturday night at the Marcolino de Castro Stadium, Santa Maria da Feira.
Jorge Jesus’ team take on Feirense, who have recently moved back into their newly renovated Marcolino de Castro Stadium, which has a capacity of five thousand fans.
“We’re going to play in a stadium that is small but which is full of passion,” warned Jesus. “It won’t be the most artistic of games and we have to realise that. It’s going to be a difficult game because against Benfica the other teams run twice as much as what they normally do. Also we have to remember Feirense took points off FC Porto at home.”
The charismatic coach will be hoping Oscar Cardozo continues his red-hot form. The Paraguayan marksman has hit the net 9 times in his last 7 appearances, and has re-established himself as Benfica’s chief goal threat.
Feirense have surprised many with their spirited showing after getting promoted into the top flight for the first time in twenty years last season. The modest outfit from Santa Maria da Feira currently have four teams between themselves and the foot of the table, and survival in Portugal’s top division would be a tremendous achievement for a club of such meagre resources.
Although well organised by impressive coach Quim Machado, Feirense’s major problem all season has been scoring. Just 13 goals in 19 matches tells its own story.
No such problems for Benfica. The Lisbon giants have hit the target no fewer than 22 times in their last 6 matches, and with a full strength squad to pick from, few would bet against a Benfica win.
Kick off at 8.30pm local time on Saturday night at the Marcolino de Castro Stadium, Santa Maria da Feira.
