Benfica-Marítimo: 9 goals in the last two matches at Luz

Since Rui Vitória arrived at Benfica, in 2015/16, that Marítimo reaches the end of the 90 minutes without goals scored, in matches at Estádio da Luz for Liga NOS.

In the last two home matches against the Islanders – in matches of the National Championship – Benfica has a total of 9 goals scored against… zero! 

But let us move to the facts. On January 6, 2016, King's day, Rui Vitória was in his first season at the helm of the team, at the time, Two-time champions. Benfica hosted Marítimo in a match of Gameweek 16 of Liga NOS and the reds knew that only a win would move them closer to the top of the table. Against Daniel Ramos' team “lost” at Luz, a devastating Benfica did as they pleased... six times. Pizzi (29’ and 33’), Raúl (35’), two penalty kicks from Jonas (52’ and 54’) and Talisca, a minute after coming on (70’) sealed the rout. 

More than a year later (April 14th, 2017), Daniel Ramos returned to the Cathedral for a one-way traffic match. In Gameweek 29 of the 2016/17 Liga NOS, in front of 57 074 spectators, an own-goal from Luís Martins (34’) broke the deadlock and Rui Vitória's team got a solid win (3-0), traveling to Alvalade as leader of the National Championship. A brace from Jonas, at 36’ and 45'+1’ sealed the win still in the first half.

On Saturday, at Estádio da Luz, there is a new chapter of this story between Lisbon and Madeira residents. It is expected another packed stadium and another Red Tide to push Benfica towards another triumph, when there are still ten more battles to fight.

Texto: Filipa Fernandes Garcia

Fotos: Arquivo / SL Benfica