Benfica in the elite round of the Champions League!

Benfica beat Casa Pia, by 0-1, on matchday 2 of the Liga Bwin, a match marked by many tributes to Fernando Chalana. Before the starting whistle, a minute of silence converted into a monumental round of applause, players wearing black armbands and all with the Little Genius' name printed on the back of their jerseys.

The ceremony honoring Fernando Chalana, the Little Genius, took place this Friday, August 12, at Estádio da Luz. Previously, Chalana's body had been in state in the Basílica da Estrela, from where the funeral procession departed. Filled with emotion and symbolism, this last farewell had the massive presence of supporters, Governing Bodies, Professional Football, Youth Football, athletes from the various sports of the Club and other personalities from the universe of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. Thank You, Chalana!

Fernando Chalana's body lies in state in the Basílica da Estrela, in Lisbon, since late this Thursday afternoon, August 11. President Rui Costa, members of Sport Lisboa e Benfica's governing bodies, former teammates, and other figures from the universe of the Club and Portuguese society were present at the wake. The exequies continue on Friday, with the celebration of a mass at 2:15 pm, followed by a funeral procession to Estádio da Luz, where the stands will be open for a heartfelt tribute to Chalana (3:30 pm).

One of the most talented, bewildering, and exciting football players in the history of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Fernando Chalana wore the Sacred Mantle for a total of 13 seasons (1974/75-1983/84 and 1987/88-1989/90). The Little Genius, who made his official debut for the first team on March 7, 1976, aged only 17 years and 25 days (at that time, no one so young had ever played in the Portuguese 1st Division), was six times National Champion with an eagle on his chest and also won two Portuguese Cups, two Super Cups, and three Honor Cups. Before his 18th birthday, Chalana, who would become one of the legends of the National Team, made his first international appearance for Portugal on November 17, 1976, at Estádio da Luz.

Benfica qualified for the Champions League play-off this Tuesday , August 9, after beating Midtjylland by 1-3 in the 2nd leg of the 3rd qualifying round, at the Randers Stadium. Enzo (23'), Henrique Araújo (56') and Diogo Gonçalves (88') scored the goals of the triumph which, added to the 4-1 result in the first leg at Estádio da Luz, seals the passport!

With the match of the 2nd leg of the Champions League 3rd qualifying round against Midtjylland, in Denmark, in mind, SL Benfica's professional football squad trained this Monday, August 8, at the Benfica Campus. Neres, under treatment, does not participate in this work session, as well as Lucas Veríssimo and João Victor. The first 15 minutes of the training session were open to the Press, see here the best images...