Benfica eliminated from Champions League

Benfica crash out of the Champions League once again at the quarter final stage after a thrilling 3-3 draw to Inter Milan but a first leg 2-0 loss at the Estadio da Luz proves costly and ended any hope that the Portuguese side had to advance in a tie that the club came into as favourites to succeed.

The club's fans are disappointed and heartbroken after coming into the stage optimistic and in one of the best season forms in all of Europe.

That all changed on Good Friday with a loss to FC Porto and the club are now in a four game winless run that has seen their lead atop Portugal evaporate to just four points from a comfortable ten.

The club's coach, Roger Schmidt, expressed his disappointment at the team's failure to move on but also praised his players for their efforts. He said that they had given their all but unfortunately it was not enough to progress to the next round.

Benfica will look to snap out of their funk this weekend as they host Estoril with only the league left to play for, the fans would expect no less.

Is it time to panic at Benfica

Benfica, who only just eight days ago had lost one game across all competitions this season, have now lost three games in a row after suffering an uneventful 1-0 loss to mid table club Chaves earlier today and have let FC Porto back into the title race with six games left in the season. This streak has also left Benfica with one foot out the door in their Champions League quarter-final encounter against Inter Milan after suffering a 2-0 defeat in their first leg midweek.

The team is failing to perform up to their usual standards and fans are beginning to wonder if it is time to panic at Benfica. However, it is important to remember that every team goes through ups and downs, ours seems to be happening at the most inopportune time.

Benfica has a strong history of success and talented players on their current roster. We have to remember that the club would in a worse case scenario have a four point lead on Porto after this week and still control their own destiny, furthermore the club has a second leg remaining against Inter to make a statement.

While it may be tempting to panic at Benfica's current situation, it is important for everyone involved with the club to remain level-headed and focused on improvement. The fans will need to do the same while getting behind the club and being the twelfth man the club so desperately needs at the moment.

That includes putting your cell phones away at match time.

Benfica seem to be running on fumes

Benfica has been a dominant force in their domestic league and Europe this season, however the past few games, cracks seem to be starting to show as the club has struggled and have fans wondering if they may just be running out of gas at the most inopportune time.

Benfica have dropped two games in a row at home, suffering a defeat in O Classico against FC Porto that saw the Dragons reduce the clubs lead to seven points atop Portugal. That was followed four days later, with  their first loss in the Champions League to Inter Milan at the quarter-final stage and will see the club have to travel to Italy down two goals as they look to keep their European dream alive.

Benfica are struggling to create chances and score goals, which is reflected in their recent results, their lone win since the International break was a struggle to a 1-0 victory over Rio Ave. 

The lack of depth in the squad is also a major concern and has seen manager Roger Schmidt face his first criticism from the club faithful as his lack of in game management and the usage of his bench has been almost non-existent.

Benfica is facing their first difficult phase of the season and need to regain their confidence to get back on track before what has been a marvelous campaign turns into dramatic collapse.