Benfica v FC Porto (O Classico) – Preview, Prediction, TV Listings, and Betting Odds – Portuguese Cup – 20 April 2011
Benfica has a 2-0 lead from the first leg as they host FC Porto in the Portuguese Cup semifinals second leg. The match will take place at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal on Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Kickoff is scheduled for 20:45 BST (UK time) 21:45 CET (Central Europe), and 15:45 EST (USA Eastern).
Benfica v FC Porto TV Listings
It will be televised on Sport TV1 (Portugal) and on RTP International (Worldwide).
Benfica v FC Porto Preview
Porto manager Andre Villas-Boas
Full motivation
«We’ll approach the match with the certainty that if we are at our best level, we can achieve a positive result. Whether that is sufficient or not to turn the tie around, we do not know, as Benfica are highly competent and challenges such as this one are tight and difficult for either side. We’re fully motivated as the qualification for a final is at stake and that’s always prestigious. We must defy the disadvantage early on in the match in order to dispute the tie at the end of the game.»
Plea for brilliance
«It’s a good opportunity to excel. Our approach at the end of the League title match at Estádio da Luz was exactly that. Everything seems set for Benfica to qualify for the final and FC Porto have this great, great opportunity to change the overall outcome. It’s a good opportunity for us to shine, without making mistakes, because those that seek excelling often forget the difficulties. We won’t start up hasty. Should the match go well, we could even win it, but winning might not be sufficient. Everything has to run perfectly, yet over excelling can lead us to commit errors that we can’t afford to make in a tie that currently stands at 0-2.»
Solid identity
«Over the UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds, we always held an advantage and we never went through a situation such as this one. It will be important to show a strong signal right at the beginning of the match, but we need to understand the reality. We have confidence and a solid identity, so there will be neither surprises nor novelties. We hope that our identity will allow us to score and turn the tie around.»
Have a say
«We approach all games with a winning attitude. The Portuguese Cup is no exception and this is valid for all the big sides. There are clubs that end up being eliminated, but we still want to have a say in this competition. Should this happen, we’ll possibly be able to add a «double win» to this great journey we’ve had thus far. Other than that, the championship title is ours and that is the main objective of any club in the world.»
Without breaks
«Physically, we have been at an unusual level. Having come from a six-hour trip, we should only have played on Monday, but the fixture schedule didn’t allow for this. Even so, we came before Sporting at a high level, this being the result of the talent of the players and the work of the technical team. I am pleased with the show we put on and the team’s response.»
Helton and Beto
«Helton is totally available but the decision was taken long ago and Beto knew that this game was for him. We have total confidence in our three goalkeepers and all have proven their talent. This game has been set aside for Beto and he will surely be at his best.»
Benfica player Alan Kardec
“There are no favorites in classic match-ups and numbers here mean nothing, as every game has its history. They have a good team, but so do we, and we’re ready and serene.”
“We don’t have to start differently, thinking only on defending. We have to do what we’ve been doing this season, which is to play our football. We’ll start as if the game was 0-0.”
“We have to go game-by-game and now we must only think on FC Porto. We play in one of the biggest clubs in the world, with great history and players, so we always go into the pitch to win”.
“We’ll play in our stadium with the support of our fans, so we’ll have the strength to achieve a victory.”
“I think every competition Benfica participates is to win, regardless of counting more or less to those watching from outside. They’re all equal to us, and the important is to win every game we play.”
“I’m always ready, and I’ve been doing my job, though unfortunately I had an injury earlier this season. We have many quality players and I’m looking for my space, but above all we must have confidence in our work.”
Squads
Benfica – unavailable
Porto - Alvaro, João Moutinho, Falcao, Cristian Rodríguez, Mariano, Hulk, Rolando, Sereno, Varela, Walter, James, Sapunaru, Souza, Beto, Fernando, Rúben Micael, Otamendi and Kieszek.
Benfica v FC Porto Prediction
1-1 Draw
Benfica v FC Porto Betting Odds
Benfica win – 6/4
Draw (after 90 minutes) – 11/5
FC Porto win – 7/5
