Benfica suffer first strike with Taca de Portugal loss

Although Benfica played well in their second leg Taca de Portugal semi-final draw, it was not enough to advance to the semi-finals as they lost to Sporting on aggregate 4-3, handing them their first strike in what is a crucial next two weeks in defining their season, as we discussed in our previous blog.

Benfica in for rough next two weeks

Benfica will now need a victory on Saturday in a rematch against Sporting in what could be a league title deciding match as the Lisbon club goes into Alvalade one point behind their city rivals, who hold a game in hand. A loss by Benfica would see them fall back four points from the top spot, and a win by Sporting in their game in hand would see the lead stretched to seven points with only six games remaining on the season.

Benfica are also still a part of the final eight clubs in the Europa League competition and are set for their first leg next Thursday against French side Marseille. Benfica are hoping that their cup hopes will not go by the wayside when the end of next week comes around.... here is hoping that they are.

Benfica in for a tough next two weeks

The season could all be decided for Benfica over the next two weeks as the club gets set for a series of important contests. The first happening in two days time as they host Sporting in the second leg of the Taca de Portugal semi-final, a contest they go into down 2-1 after the first leg and needing a victory to remain in the competition.

Benfica and Sporting will then do it all over again on Saturday in league action, this time at the Alvalade, where a win by Sporting could all but decide this season's Portuguese League champions. Benfica will then top off this intense schedule, when they host French side Marseille at the Luz in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final next Thursday.

These next two weeks are vital for Benfica's season, as they could be all in or all out after they are done, as the current football season winds down to its conclusion.

Benfica need to drop Di Maria if they are to win title

In another time, the Angel di Maria signing would have been a coup by a Portuguese club, but in 2024, the signing is looking more and more like a waste of resources as Benfica continue to struggle to develop play when the 36 year old Argentinian is on the field.

Di Maria's pace of play looks more suitable to be applied in North America's Major League Soccer or the Saudi Pro League, but in the Portuguese League it is too slow and at many times, proves costly in the Eagles developing a fast attacking pace. A club of Benfica's stature can not continue to struggle to find the goal against the minnows of the world but this is what we are witnessing regularly with this slow build up.

Now, this is not to say that Di Maria has not had his share of brilliant moments this season; he has, but for a club that continues to funnel an attack constantly through him when he is on the field, more often than not, that attack has often stalled. This cannot continue if Benfica has any hopes of capturing the Portuguese League title when the season wraps.

With a pair of big games coming up against league leaders Sporting over the next eight days. The club's title hopes could be all but over come next Saturday. Benfica travels to Alvalade on April 6th, needing a win in league action to close the gap on Sporting, but before that, they will host their crosstown rivals at the Luz in the second leg of the Taca de Portugal semi-final, in which they go in trailing after the first leg 2-1.

Benfica manager Roger Schmidt is also at fault in this disorganized bunch with his constant insistence on playing players out of positions they are most comfortable in to succeed, but here is hoping that maybe, just maybe, he sees what we all can see when Di Maria is on the pitch, but knowing the German.... he seems more the willing to go down with the sinking ship. Let's see how it all plays out