The best attack of Benfica in the Rui Vitória era

The maths are simple and the numbers don't lie in this analysis of the Official Site: Zivkovic scored the 5-0 against Marítimo, last Saturday, and Benfica has 67 goals scored after Gameweek 25 of the League. Looking to the last three season, this is the best record with Rui Vitória (he has reached 100 triumphs) at the helm of the team.

With 25 rounds played, the Four-time Champions have 19 victories, five draws and one loss, with 67 goals scored, 16 conceded (+ 51 goal difference), a total of 62 points.

In the last season, after round 25 of the competition Benfica had scored 56 goals (+ 43 goal difference); in 2015/16 they were– after the same round – 66 the goals scored (+ 49 goal difference).

This is the best attack of the three seasons of Rui Vitória at Sport Lisboa e Benfica, after 25 rounds of Liga NOS. Looking once again at the numbers, and comparing with the other two seasons in question, it was precisely the screamer from Zivkovic that "broke the deadlock".

But this story began seven months ago, on August 9, 2017. In the opening round of the 2017/1018 Liga NOS, Benfica hosted and beat SC Braga, by 3-1, bagging the first three points in the competition. Goal 1 was scored by Seferovic, at 14’. Work from Jonas on the left, a perfect cross for the Swiss forward to score at the far post. Jonas and Salvio the other two goals of the eagles; SC Braga pulled one back through Hassan.

Festejos

We move on to goal 20… Gameweek 10 of Liga NOS, with Benfica facing CD Feirense on a Friday, October 27. At Estádio da Luz, Jonas, at 11’, in the rebound after the first shot from Salvio, scored the only goal of the encounter. Triumph from the reds by 1-0.

Already in 2018, on January 7, we find goal 40... and it is from Jonas. Benfica traveled to Moreira de Cónegos, to play Gameweek 17 of Liga NOS against Moreirense. Pizzi opened the scoring at 23’ and, at 74’, the Brazilian sealed three more points. A difficult win, away from home, by 0-2. High pressure from João Carvalho, he recovered the ball, made the cross towards the edge of the box Jonas puts the ball in the back of the net.

The goal-scoring form increased and we just have to travel to round 24 to find goal 60. A tough trip to Mata Real to face Paços de Ferreira. February 24, and the reds were trailing, with Luiz Phellype, at 9’, opening the scoring. The response took some time… but it arrived! Jonas scored a brace (72’ and 88’) and Rafa killed off the match (90’+5'). A Victory by 1-3. The first goal of the Brazilian forward was goal 60. Rafa recovered the ball on the right, made the cross towards the penalty area where the ball found Raúl. A shot from the Mexican and, in the rebound, Jonas put the ball in the back of the net.

In this match is worth highlighting another historic record that was beaten! Jonas matched Eusébio… One had to wait precisely 45 years for a Benfica player to score as many goals as the Black Panther after Round 24: 27!

Goal 67 is a screamer! Gameweek 25 of the Liga NOS, Benfica vs Marítimo last Saturday at Luz. The Four-time champions gave no chance and thrashed the Islander by 5-0 (Jonas scored a hat-trick, Grimaldo and Zivkovic scored the remaining goals). The last strike of the match was scored by Zivkovic… and it one of those goals to see and see again. Minute 81, on the left, the Serbian cuts to the middle and Serbian scored with a right-footed bending shot.

Let us travel to the 2016/17 season, where, after round 25 of the competition Benfica had scored 56 goals (+ 43 goal difference). Goal 1 of the Liga NOS happened on August 13, in the opening round of the competition, played away from home, in Tondela. A victory by 0-2. Lisandro López, at 39’, and André Horta 90’+3', killed off the match. A free kick taken by Pizzi and the Argentine scored with a header.

Goal 56 was scored on March 13, 2017, in the thrashing of Belenenses at Luz. André Almeida (12’), Kostas Mitroglou (52’), Salvio (60’) and Jonas (90’+1') score the goals of the eagles. Samaris recovered the ball in the midfield, Mitroglou received the ball and assisted the Brazilian forward for goal 56.

In the 2015/16 season, after round 25 of the Liga NOS, Benfica had scored 66 goals (+ 49 goal difference)…. One less than this season! Goal 1 was scored on August 16, in the opening round, in the thrashing of Estoril (4-0). Kostas Mitroglou (74’), Jonas (78’ pk and 81') and Nélson Semedo (89’) were the goal scorers. A spectacular cross from Gaitán on the left and the Greek Mitroglou opened the scoring with a header.

Goal 66 was cored on March 5 in the derby held at Alvalade. Triumph from the reds by 0-1. Jonas wins the indidual batlle against Coates on the left, make the cross, the ball goes to Pizzi, who passes to Samaris. The Greek tries to shoot… the ball is deflected by bola William Carvalho and then appears the other Greek player, shooting for the three points.

The number don't lie and this is the most prolific Benfica in the Liga NOS after Gameweek 25 with Rui Vitória at the helm.