Benfica: starts off on the right foot since 2010

From 2010 to now, Benfica's first football team has been starting off the new year in the same way: with the right foot, in other words, winning.

Ahead of the clash with Sporting, on January 3rd, at Estádio da Luz, the Official Website remembers the path of the Four-time champions in the first match of the calendar year. In the last eight seasons, apart from eight consecutive triumphs, the supporters have been rewarded with some routs. 

In this period, the League Cup dominates. In eight matches, four have been for the competition born in 2007/08. There were also two games for the Liga NOS and two for the Portuguese cup. The undefeated record began in 2010 against Nacional. At Luz, the Argentinian Saviola scored the winner against the team from Madeira.

That was followed by wins over Marítimo (2-0), in 2011, and V. Guimarães (1-4), in 2012. In 2013 came the first encounter for a competition other than the League Cup. This time the Portuguese cup was the star. And it was again in the following year! Two routs over Gil Vicente and CD Aves, by 5-0 and 6-0, in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Before the return of the League Cup matches in the beginning of the calendar year, it was Liga NOS's turn. Two away wins, at Penafiel and V. Guimarães, in 2015 and 2016. Last year there was the mauling of Vizela (4-0) at Luz.

In the eight wins that opened Benfica's calendar year since 2010, the team scored 26 goals (average of 3,25 per game) and conceded only one, at Guimarães, in 2012. Cardozo e Rodrigo are the top scorers, with five goals each, followed by Lima and Jonas with three.

The ninth clash is the most desirable. Benfica and Sporting lock horns in a derby  at Estádio da Luz. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, January 3^rd, at 9:30 pm.

BENFICA'S WINNING STREAK IN THE BEGINNING OF THE CALENDAR YEAR

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica