Benfica went into the Estadio Jose Alvalade knowing that the first half of the Portuguese League season would end with them in the top spot in the league, but it could be by as little as one point depending on how the day would unfold. The first part of the day could not have gone better for Benfica as Sporting Braga earned a major away win over second place FC Porto 2-1 which guaranteed that Benfica would be up by four or more points into the first turn of the season. Benfica would then go into their game against their cross town rivals looking for all three points as they worked to widen their league lead over FC Porto.
Benfica would kick off the game with the first real scoring chance when league scoring leader Pizzi's left footed shot from the right side of the box was saved by Sporting keeper Maximiano at the 11 minute mark. Sporting would come right back with a chance just of their own just a minute later as Rafael Camacho hit the right side of the post after being sent in by Bruno Fernandes. Benfica would then just miss opening the scoring as a Gabriel header off of a corner kick would take a bounce off the grass before being palmed over the bar by the Sporting keeper midway through the first half. Benfica continued to press looking for the opening goal and would get another chance to open the scoring off of a corner once again but this time Ferro would send his header sailing wide over the bar. Sporting's Camacho would get and miss his second scoring chance of the half when he would send his header right into the arms of Benfica keeper Vlachodimos. Then just moments later Sporting striker Phellype thought he had opened the scoring for the home side at the 35th minute but his strike was called back for offside and replays showed the 26 year old was ahead of everyone by a good foot. Sporting looked to gain confidence as the half reached its conclusion and Bolasie's left footed shot from in close was turned away by Vlachodimos to keep the game scoreless going into the half.
Benfica finish the first half of the season against Lisbon rivals Sporting in the Lisbon Derby at Sporting's Estadio Jose Alvalade tonight.
Benfica and Sporting's heated rivalry will add another nugget to its history and be the talk of all the major stations and papers in Portugal over the days to come. Benfica will play Sporting at 9:15pm
WEST and they will dress 18 players from the list below.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin
Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Jardel, Andre Almeida,
Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl, Rafa Silva, Gabriel, Caio Lucas
Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Seferovic
Tottenham have finally landed their first player in the Jose Mourinho era making Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes his first acquisition since taking over at the club. Tottenham land Gedson from Benfica on an 18 month loan with an option to purchase the player at any time for €50M, Benfica are also reported to be receiving €4.5M as a fee for the loan of Gedson for the extended period of time. The 21 year old midfielder was struggling to find playing time at Benfica this season and was keen for a move to a club that would provide this option for him. Gedson has appeared in only 13 contests for Benfica across all competitions this season, adding just one helper. Gedson who made his Benfica debut last season has appeared in a total of 59 games across all competitions for the club, scoring three goals with seven helpers. Benfica are leaning towards Mourinho molding the Seixal product into a reliable and regular midfield option for the Spurs with the hope of the club exercising the €50M option adding to Benfica's growing sales chest.
