Benfica reportedly have the most fans in the world and in the 1960s were arguably the best team in the world. They won what was then the European Cup - now the Champions League - twice and were runners up three times.
Now they’ve gone five years without winning the Portuguese league, sit firmly in the domestic shadow of Porto, and are playing in the Europa League. 90minutesonline spoke to PlanetBenfica about the club’s present and future.
How happy are you with the season so far?
The season has been great so far. The arrival of a new manager [Jorge Jesus from Braga] and investment in some good players have really paid off.
Apart from the AEK Athens game [a 1-0 defeat] we have played above expectations. Although even in that game we had some great chances.
We have only drawn once in the league, in our first home game against Marítimo, and the rest have been wins. In fact, the Marítimo game was the last time we drew in any competition.
Do you think Benfica can win the league this season? It’s been five years since their last triumph.
That's the objective and it's the same for every season. It's true to say it's one of our best league starts for a long time [19 points from seven games: Benfica are currently second behind Braga, who have a 100% record], and of course the best chance to win the league.
Sporting have already dropped a lot of points, but Porto still lurk behind, and Braga look like contenders this season.
But we believe this season is ours. Five years is too long for a club of our stature.
And how do you think you’ll do in the Europa League?
Seeing as Benfica are very experienced in the group stages, in terms of European games played, expectations are to reach the latter stages.
Jorge Jesus reached the quarters with Braga last year, so we are hoping to equal that if not more.
The Everton games coming up [first one at home on Thursday] will be key to our Europa League campaign, because they are a strong side and probably one of the teams to beat in this competition.
Our manager has stated a few times that the domestic league is the priority, but in my opinion we will do alright in Europe too.
How glad were you to see the back of last season’s manager Quique Flores?
Not so much as I was to see the backs of some other managers. I thought he would have done much better if he had been given another year, because hopping between managers year after year never bounds well. But it looked like he had some problems in getting the best out of his players.
Still, it seems Benfica made the right choice in appointing Jorge Jesus.
Who’s your best player and why?
Currently it’s between Oscar Cardozo and Pablo Aimar, if you’re making me pick. It's really hard to choose because so far we have seen good team performances and every player has been involved. If you see our goal stats and assists on planetbenfica.com you will see evidence of an all-round team performance.
Cardozo is our top scorer and seems to be in his best form since joining Benfica. The same can be said for Aimar, who has been pivotal in orchestrating the midfield. His call up to the Argentina squad by Maradona shows that.
And which player would you gladly see the back of? And why?
In terms of quality it would be Javier Balboa and Jorge Ribeiro. Although I would never disrespect any Benfica player once they put on the shirt, those two need to raise their game or look for first team football elsewhere.
Balboa was the most surprising of all, costing €4m from Real Madrid, but he has never had a truly good game. He is really low in confidence.
If you could sign one player from another team in the Liga Sagres, who would it be and why?
Porto’s Silvestre Varela is looking good [signed on a free from relegated Estrela da Amadora in July]. He’s Portuguese, which is a plus in this league, and has shown great pace and ball control.
What do you think of the standard of football in Portugal? Would teams in the lower half of the Liga Sagres even be able to compete in the Championship in England?
The standard is pretty low, but due to many factors, we could say economical being the top one.
A few teams in the Liga Sagres would struggle in the Championship, probably even be relagated. The infrastructure in England is way above the Portuguese leagues, although some in our league could put up a good fight in the Premiership against relegation contenders.
What’s Benfica’s best terrace chant?
The one that the whole stadium knows would be Glorioso SLB [Glorious Benfica], or even Ninguém para o Benfica [No one stops Benfica]. The anthem at the beginning of games would get a good shout too.
But it is the supporters groups who sing the best chants [in Portugal many chants are led by the stadium announcers and sung to music piped through the stadium’s speakers] which not everyone knows. Some favourites would be Quando sobes ao relvado [When you climb on to the pitch], Benfica campeão [Benfica Champion].
Benfica Benfica, in which the club's name is shouted alternatively between stands, has really hit off this season and I would say it is there almost every game.
You can hear many of our chants here.
What half-time snacks do you recommend at the Estádio da Luz?
I don't leave the stands at half-time so I wouldn't know what the best snack would be.
What are your best and worst memories of supporting Benfica?
Recently, the best memory would be the away win at Liverpool [0-2 in the last 16 of the 2005/06 Champions League], and the 2-1 home win against Manchester United in the same season [and the same competition]. They are big clubs and the results knocked each of them out of the Champions League, and the latter from Europe all together.
Worst memories have to be the dark ages in early 2000s. Huge financial problems one of our biggest defeats, a 7-0 loss to Celta de Vigo in the 1999/2000 UEFA Cup.
Admit it. Benfica didn’t deserve to win the Carlsberg Cup against Sporting last season, did they?
We did get lucky in a decision which helped us to get to penalties. After that we took our chances.
If you could change one thing at Benfica, what would it be?
In club management terms, just the way some things are organized, such as ticket services for those living abroad and better communication with the fans regarding away games.
Where are Benfica going to be in five years’ time?
Hopefully regulars in the Champions League and getting good results away in European games. Also with a steady management team, winning a few cups and domestic titles more than occasionally.