2008–09 S.L. Benfica season

Benfica
2008–09 season
President Luís Filipe Vieira
Manager Quique Flores
Stadium Estádio da Luz
Primeira Liga 3rd
Taça de Portugal Fifth round
Taça da Liga Winners
UEFA Cup Group stage (5th)
Top goalscorer League: Óscar Cardozo (17)
All: Óscar Cardozo (17)
Highest home attendance 60,022[1] vs Sporting
(27 September 2008)
Lowest home attendance 9,570 vs Metalist Kharkiv
(18 December 2008)
Average home league attendance 35,698[2]
Home colours
Away colours

The 2008–09 season was Sport Lisboa e Benfica's 105th season in existence and the club's 75th consecutive season in the top flight of Portuguese football. It involved Benfica competing in the Primeira Liga, Taça de Portugal, Taça da Liga and the third qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. Benfica qualified for the UEFA Cup by coming fourth in the previous Primeira Liga.

Quique Sánchez Flores was hired as coach. Benfica ended the Primeira Liga in third place, despite leading the league in January, failing qualification for the UEFA Champions League, for a second time.

In the Taça de Portugal, Benfica reached the sixth round losing to Leixões on penalty shoot-out. In the Taça da Liga, Benfica won the second edition against Sporting, the first of four in a row.

In the UEFA Cup, Benfica beat Napoli on the first round and qualified for the group stage. In the Group stage, it lost 3 times and ended in last.

Spanish coach Quique Sánchez Flores, was not given renewed confidence for the upcoming season.

Season summary

Pre-season

For the new season, following his retirement, Rui Costa assumed his new position has Sporting director.[3] He appointed Quique Flores as new manager.[4] Quique last job, was managing Valência, achieving qualification for the Champions League on both seasons. Rui Costa brought in a number of high-profile signings, adding Pablo Aimar, which had just been relegated in Zaragoza; José António Reyes which had come out of a poor personal season in Atlético; and David Suazo which experienced a similar situation in Inter Milan. Quique played in a 4-4-1-1 with Quim in the keeper's position; in the center, Luisão and Sidnei, the left , Léo was replaced by David Luiz, and on the right, Maxi Pereira returned to the right back position. Hassan Yebda played alongside Katsouranis in the middle; on the right side, Rúben Amorim assisted the midfield duo; on the left, José Antonio Reyes provided width; Aimar played in the hole, behind the striker, Cardozo, since Suazo was injuried often.[5] It was the first season the Eusebio Cup was played, with Benfica facing Inter Milan.[6]

League

The first league match of the season was in Vila do Conde, where Benfica faced Rio Ave, recently return to the first division, with the Reds earning only a point, in a tighly disputed match.[7] In the second day, Benfica faced Porto at home, with Cristian Rodriguez having a hostile reception, after moving to Porto in the transfer season. Benfica suffered a early penalty after Katsouranis grabbed Lucho Gonzalez in the box, but Cardozo equalized in the second half after a Helton mistake, with the match ending in one-one.[8] In day three, Benfica went to Paços de Ferreira, where in a exciting match and after fighting hard to keep the advantage, won 4-3, bringing their first three points.[9] In day four, Benfica beat Sporting at home, with Reyes and Sidnei scoring both goals in a space of four minutes, their first home win against Sporting since 2004-05.[10] Next, it travel to Matosinhos, where it faced Leixões, losing two points after Wesley scored from a corner in the 88th minute, with Yebda helpless.[11] In day six, Benfica beat Naval with a late goal from Cardozo, climbing to third position.[12] In day seven, Benfica beat Guimarães in their home, with Suazo scoring after a exceptional assist from Aimar, while Sidnei scored the 5000th goal in the league.[13] This was followed by another win, now at home, against Estrela da Amadora, with Sidnei scoring again.[14] Benfica continued to amount wins, beating Académica in Coimbra by 2-0.[15] In the next league day, Benfica lost points again, in a home draw against Vitória de Setúbal, with Quim having a poor performance, conceding a 91st minute goal in a bicycle kick from out of the box. The Reds also complained about the referee Vasco Santos which permitted a hard game by the visiting team, including an assault on Reyes that the referee didn't saction.[16] However, Benfica recovered quickly, beating Maritimo in Madeira by six-nil, reaching the top of the table, more than a 1000 days later.[17] In day twelve, Benfica draw with Nacional, in a controversial match, with the Eagles scoring in the overtime, but the goal being wrongly annuled for a handball by Miguel Vitor, which was lying on the floor, facing the other direction.[18] In day thirtheen, Benfica suffered their first league defeat, against Trofense, with Moreira having responsibilities in the first goal, and Binya being sentoff, while Benfica lost the first place, two rounds after earning it.[19] Benfica returned to the first place, beating Jesus's Braga, with David Luiz scoring from offside. Jesus protested vehemently, claiming they only let Braga win in the Playstation.[20] In day fifthteen, Benfica went to Estádio do Restelo and only earned a point, losing first place again, one point behind Porto.[21] In day 16, Benfica beat Rio Ave with Pedro Mantorras scoring the sole goal, minutes after entering.[22] Next, Benfica travelled to Estádio do Dragão, where it ouperformed Porto, leading one-nil till referee Pedro Proença wrongly awarded Porto a penalty, in a controversial decision. Porto remained top of the table.[23] In the next matchday, Benfica beat Paços de Ferreira in another intense match, with Amorim and Di Maria scoring two great goals.[24] In day 19, Benfica went to Alvalade, and was defeated 3-2 with David Luiz making a serious of errors, compromising the team. Sporting equalized Benfica in the second position.[25] In day twenty, Benfica beat Leixões at home, but struggling to do so, with Carlos Martins getting injuried, and with no substitutions left, Benfica was down to 10 men with 20 minutes left, conceded shortly after, but still won.[26] In the next matchday, Benfica beat Naval in Figueira da Foz, with Katsouranis scoring from a Miguel Vitor assist in the second half.[27] In day 22, Benfica lost to Guimarães at home, with Miguel Vitor and David Luiz both making mistakes in the goal from Marquinhos. Benfica dropped to third, as a result.[28] Benfica returned to victories, beating Estrela da Amadora in a dull match with three goals from the penalty spot, in a double from Cardozo.[29] In day 24, Benfica lost at home again, with Académica scoring from a corner, with Miguel Vitor making another mistake, letting Tiero free. Aimar had a goal controversially annuled with the referee awarding a foul from Nuno Gomes on Peskovic. Porto was now eight points ahead and Sporting four points.[30] In day 25, Benfica went to Setúbal and thrashed the local team with a four-nil, with Nuno Gomes and Cardozo scoring a double.[31] Benfica beat Maritimo in the next matchday at home, with Cardozo scoring two goals again, ending a two month winless period in Lisbon.[32] In day 27, Benfica travelled to Madeira, facing Nacional, and losing 3-1, with Nuno Gomes wasting opportunities in front of the keeeper, David Luiz hitting the woodwork, with the locals having an inspired evening.[33] In day 28, the Reds tie with Trofense with Valdomiro scoring the first and assisting the second, and Cardozo having another double.[34] In the second-to-last day, Benfica beat Braga away in a good performance, their first win there since 2004, securing the third place as final position.[35] In the final day of the season, Benfica beat Belenenses, ensuring the depromotion of the Lisbon rivals.[36] Quique's Benfica earned 59 points, seven more than the previous season, one position above, but still failed to win the title, or even qualify for the Champions League. Although he was cheered in the last day, with posters asking him to stay,[37] he left in early June in a mutual agreement.[38]

Portuguese Cup

In the Cup, Benfica chase his 25th trophy. It faced Penafiel in the fourth round. After 120 minutes and no goals, Benfica passed on penalties.[39] In the next round, Benfica had a much better performance, beating Desportivo de Aves by three-nil.[40] In the sixth round, Benfica faced Leixões away, which was the surprise of the year, with wins in Dragão and Alvalade. Although it performed much better than in the league match, the decision was down to the penalty kicks, where Beto defended a penalty from Reyes, kicking Benfica out of Cup.[41]

League Cup

In the League Cup, Benfica was placed in a group with Guimarães, Olhanense and Beleneneses. It faced Guimarães first, beating them away, earning his first points.[42] Next it beat Olhanense at home with Diego Maradona in the stands, Di Maria scored a stunning goal, in a 4-1 win.[43] In the final match of the group stage, Benfica beat Belenenses with a goal from Katsouranis.[44] In the semi-finals, Benfica faced Guimarães again, where Aimar scored his first goal in Portugal in a 2-1 victory. [45] In the final, against crosstown rivals Sporting, Benfica conceded a goal from Pereirinha, but Lucilio Baptista wrongly awarded a penalty for Benfica and sentoff Pedro Silva, with Benfica equalizing. In the penalty kicks, Quim defended three penalties and Benfica conquered it's first trophy since the Supercup in August 2005.[46][47]

Europe

After failing qualification to Champions League, Benfica had to play the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Cup, facing Napoli in a two leg dispute. In Napoli, with Yebda alone in the midfield, Benfica was outplayed in the first half with Denis and Lavezzi causing troubles to Benfica defence. But a change in halftime, with Katsouranis helping Yebda, Benfica managed to reduce to 3-2 and kept their hopes up.[48] In the second leg, Benfica pressed hard and overturn a 3-2 deficit, beating them 2-0 at home.[49] In the group stage, Benfica were up against Hertha Berlin, Galatasaray, Olypiamkos and Metalist Kharkiv in Group B. In the opening match, Benfica travelled to Berlin, and it went ahead after 51 minutes through Angel Di María goal, but Pantelić, equalized with a deflected strike.[50] In matchday 2, Benfica lost to Galatasaray after Emre converted Lincoln's cross from close range and Ümit Karan then doubled Galatasaray's advantage by scoring from a Arda Turan's cross from the left.[51] In matchday 3, Benfica travelled to Athens, losing 5-1, with David Luiz in the center of the defence for the first time in the season, alongside Sidnei. Benfica went on to have the worst performance of the season and their worst defeat since the tragic seven-nill defeat in Vigo.[52] In the last matchday, Benfica faced Metalist at home, with slim chances of progressing through, and despite shots from Cardozo, Fellipe Bastos or Maxi Pereira, it was Metalist that scored, hitting Benfica on the break, with Marko Dević playing Rykun in from the right and the midfielder scoring the only goal of the night.[53] Benfica ended dead last in Group B, with only one point.

Squad

Squad no. Name Nationality Position Date of birth (age) Signed from
Goalkeepers
1 Moreira Portugal GK 20 March 1982 (aged 26) Youth system
12 Quim Portugal GK 13 November 1975 (aged 32) Braga
31 Moretto Brazil GK 10 May 1978 (aged 30) Vitória Setúbal
Defenders
4 Luisão (VC) Brazil CB 13 February 1981 (aged 27) Cruzeiro
5 Léo Brazil LB 06 July 1975 (aged 33) Santos
14 Maxi Pereira Uruguay RB 08 June 1984 (aged 24) Defensor
23 David Luiz Brazil CB 22 April 1987 (aged 21) Vitória
25 Jorge Ribeiro Portugal LB 9 November 1981 (aged 26) Boavista
27 Sidnei Brazil CB 23 August 1989 (aged 18) Internacional
28 Miguel Vítor Portugal CB 30 June 1989 (aged 19) Youth system
Midfielders
6 Reyes Spain RW/LW 01 September 1983 (aged 23) Atlético Madrid
8 Katsouranis Greece DM 21 June 1979 (aged 29) AEK Athens
10 Aimar Argentina AM 3 November 1979 (aged 27) Zaragoza
18 Javier Balboa Equatorial Guinea RW 13 May 1985 (aged 23) Real Madrid
13 Fellipe Bastos Brazil CM 01 February 1990 (aged 18) Botafogo
15 Rúben Amorim Portugal CM 27 January 1985 (aged 22) Belenenses
16 Urretavizcaya Uruguay LW 19 March 1990 (aged 18) River Plate Uruguay
18 Binya Cameroon DM 29 August 1984 (aged 23) MC Oran
20 Ángel Di María Argentina LW 14 February 1988 (aged 20) Rosario Central
24 Carlos Martins Portugal AM 29 April 1982 (aged 26) Recreativo de Huelva
26 Hassan Yebda Algeria DM 14 May 1981 (aged 27) Le Mans
Forwards
7 Óscar Cardozo Paraguay ST 20 May 1983 (aged 25) Newell's Old Boys
9 Mantorras Angola ST 18 March 1982 (aged 26) Alverca
21 Nuno Gomes (C) Portugal FW 05 July 1976 (aged 32) Fiorentina
19 Ariza Makukula Portugal ST 04 March 1981 (aged 27) Sevilla
30 David Suazo Honduras ST 05 November 1979 (aged 28) Inter Milan
27 Nélson Oliveira Portugal ST 08 August 1991 (aged 16) Youth system

Transfers in

Entry date Position No. Player From club Fee Ref
14 December 2007 CM 13 Brazil Fellipe Bastos Brazil Botafogo Undisclosed [54]
18 April 2008 CM 15 Portugal Rúben Amorim Portugal Belenenses Undisclosed [55]
29 May 2008 DM 26 Algeria Hassan Yebda France Le Mans Free [56]
25 June 2008 RW 11 Equatorial Guinea Javier Balboa Spain Real Madrid 4M [57]
25 June 2008 AM 24 Portugal Carlos Martins Spain Recreativo de Huelva Undisclosed (~3M) [58]
12 July 2008 LW 16 Uruguay Urretavizcaya Uruguay River Plate Uruguay Undisclosed (~1.25M) [59]
17 July 2008 AM 10 Argentina Pablo Aimar Spain Zaragoza 6.5M [60]
18 July 2008 AM - Portugal Ivan Santos Portugal Boavista Undisclosed [61]
24 July 2008 LB 25 Portugal Jorge Ribeiro Portugal Boavista Free [62]
24 July 2008 CB 27 Brazil Sidnei Brazil Internacional 5M [63]
7 August 2008 LW 6 Spain Reyes Spain Atlético Madrid Loan (2.65M) [64]
29 August 2008 ST 30 Honduras David Suazo Italy Inter Milan Loan [65]

Transfers out

Entry date Position No. Player To club Fee Ref
9 May 2008 AM 10 Portugal Rui Costa None End of contract [66]
19 May 2008 ST 19 Brazil Marcel Brazil Grêmio Loan [67]
4 June 2008 GK 24 Germany Butt Germany Bayern Munich Free [68]
12 June 2008 CB - Serbia Sretenović Romania Politehnica Timişoara Undisclosed [69]
17 June 2008 LW 16 Portugal Fábio Coentrão Spain Zaragoza Loan [70]
17 June 2008 LB 11 Portugal Miguelito Portugal Marítimo Undisclosed [71]
21 June 2008 LW 26 Uruguay Rodríguez France Paris SG Loan return [72]
16 July 2008 RW 15 Portugal Paulo Jorge Portugal Marítimo Undisclosed [73]
16 July 2008 RW 18 Portugal Manú Portugal Marítimo Undisclosed [73]
16 July 2008 CM 28 Portugal João Coimbra Portugal Marítimo Undisclosed [73]
21 July 2008 AM 30 United States Freddy Adu France AS Monaco Loan [74]
21 July 2008 DM 32 Portugal Romeu Ribeiro Portugal Desportivo de Aves Loan [75]
21 July 2008 LB 50 Portugal Rúben Lima Portugal Desportivo de Aves Loan [75]
21 July 2008 LW - Portugal André Carvalhas Portugal Rio Ave Loan [75]
21 July 2008 CM - Portugal Miguel Rosa Portugal Estoril Loan [75]
22 July 2008 AM - Portugal Ivan Santos Portugal Boavista Undisclosed [76]
23 July 2008 CB - Portugal José Fonte England Crystal Palace Undisclosed [77]
24 July 2008 RB 2 Portugal Pedro Correia Spain Racing Ferrol Undisclosed [78]
29 July 2008 DM 6 Portugal Petit Germany Köln Free [79]
30 July 2008 ST - Brazil Jaílson Brazil Coritiba Free [80]
31 July 2008 RW 7 Portugal Marco Ferreira Greece Ethnikos Piraeus Free [81]
6 August 2008 RB 2 Portugal Luís Filipe Portugal Braga Loan [82]
6 August 2008 AM 15 Portugal Nuno Assis Portugal Vitória Guimarães Undisclosed [82]
11 August 2008 LB 36 Portugal Tiago Gomes Spain Osasuna Free [83]
12 August 200 LB 33 Romania László Sepsi Spain Racing Santander Loan [84]
22 August 2008 CB - Argentina Halliche Portugal Nacional Loan [85]
27 August 2008 RB 6 Portugal Nélson Spain Betis 5M [86]
29 August 2008 CB 3 Brazil Edcarlos Brazil Fluminense Loan [87]
26 September 2008 GK 31 Portugal Bruno Costa Portugal Olivais Moscavide Loan [88]
19 December 2008 ST 19 Brazil Marcel Japan Vissel Kobe Loan [89]
5 January 2009 LW 16 Portugal Fábio Coentrão Portugal Rio Ave Loan [90]
7 January 2009 GK 31 Portugal Bruno Costa Portugal Oriental Loan [91]
13 January 2009 LB 5 Brazil Léo Brazil Santos Free [92]
16 January 2009 ST 19 Portugal Ariza Makukula England Bolton Wanderers Loan [93]
20 January 2009 LW - Portugal André Carvalhas Portugal Olhanense Loan [94]
2 February 2009 CB 17 Ivory Coast Marco Zoro Portugal Vitória Setúbal Loan [95]
2 February 2009 ST 27 China Yu Dabao Portugal Olivais Moscavide Loan [96]

Competitions

      Win       Draw       Loss       Postponed

Pre-season

Primeira Liga

League table

Pos
 Team
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Pts
Qualification or relegation
Head-to-head
1 Porto (C) 30 21 7 2 61 18+43 70 2009–10 UEFA Champions League Group stage
2 Sporting CP 30 20 6 4 45 20+25 66 2009–10 UEFA Champions League Third qualifying round
3 Benfica 30 17 8 5 54 32+22 59 2009–10 UEFA Europa League Play-off round

Source: lpfp.pt (Portuguese)
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head away goals scored; 5th goal difference; 6th matches won; 7th goals scored
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.

Results by round

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930
GroundAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Result D D W W D W W W W D W D L W D W D W L W W L W L W W L D W W
Position 6 10 7 5 4 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Last updated: 9 May 2009.
Source: FootballPortugal.net
Ground: A = Away; H = Home. Result: D = Draw; L = Loss; W = Win; P = Postponed.

Matches

Portuguese Cup

League Cup

Group Stage

UEFA Cup

Main article: 2008–09 UEFA Cup

First round

Group stage

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Ukraine Metalist Kharkiv 431030+310
Turkey Galatasaray 430141+39
Greece Olympiacos 420293+66
Germany Hertha BSC 402216−52
Portugal Benfica 401329−71

Overall record

Competition First match Last match Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win % Source
Primeira Liga 24 August 2008 23 May 2009 30 17 8 5 54 32 +22 56.67
Portuguese Cup 19 October 2008 13 December 2008 3 1 2 0 3 0 +3 33.33
Portuguese League Cup 7 January 2008 21 March 2009 5 4 1 0 10 3 +7 80.00
UEFA Cup 18 September 2008 18 December 2008 6 1 1 4 6 12 -6 16.67
Total [97] 44 23 12 9 73 47 +26 52.27

Player information

Squad, appearances and goals

As of 15 June 2013.
No. Pos Nat Player TotalPrimeira Liga Portuguese Cup League Cup UEFA Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
1 GK Portugal José Moreira 17 -13 14 -12 2 0 0 0 1 -1
12 GK Portugal Quim 23 -32 16 -19 0 0 2 -2 5 -11
31 GK Brazil Moretto 4 -2 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 -2
Defenders
14 DF Uruguay Maxi Pereira 41 2 28 1 2 1 5 0 6 0
4 DF Brazil Luisão 33 4 21 2 3 1 5 0 4 1
23 DF Brazil David Luiz 27 2 19 1 2 0 4 0 2 1
27 DF Brazil Sidnei 35 4 24 3 3 0 2 1 6 0
28 DF Portugal Miguel Vítor 23 0 16 0 1 0 5 0 1 0
5 DF Brazil Léo 5 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 0
25 DF Portugal Jorge Ribeiro 21 2 15 1 0 0 2 1 4 0
Midfielders
18 MF Cameroon Binya 14 0 7 0 3 0 0 0 4 0
26 MF Algeria Hassan Yebda 34 2 25 1 1 1 3 0 5 0
8 MF Greece Konstantinos Katsouranis 35 4 24 2 2 0 5 2 4 0
10 MF Argentina Pablo Aimar 29 2 22 1 2 0 4 1 1 0
24 MF Portugal Carlos Martins 35 1 24 0 1 0 5 1 5 0
13 DF Brazil Fellipe Bastos 4 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
15 MF Portugal Rúben Amorim 35 2 26 2 2 0 5 0 2 0
6 FW Spain José Antonio Reyes 35 6 24 4 2 0 4 1 5 1
20 MF Argentina Ángel Di María 35 4 24 2 1 0 5 1 5 1
11 FW Equatorial Guinea Javier Balboa 17 0 10 0 3 0 1 0 3 0
16 MF Uruguay Jonathan Urretavizcaya 17 1 10 1 2 0 0 0 5 0
Strikers
7 FW Paraguay Óscar Cardozo 35 17 26 17 2 0 4 0 3 0
21 FW Portugal Nuno Gomes 33 9 24 7 1 0 2 1 6 1
30 FW Honduras David Suazo 22 5 12 4 3 0 3 0 4 1
9 FW Angola Mantorras 5 2 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
19 FW Portugal Ariza Makukula 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
49 FW Portugal Nélson Oliveira 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

References

  1. ↑ "Painel de Espectadores" [Attendance list per match]. ligaportugal.pt. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  2. ↑ "Painel de Espectadores" [Attendance list per club]. ligaportugal.pt. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "Rui Costa desafiado pela gravata". Record. 26 March 2008.
  4. ↑ "Benfica appoint Flores as coach". BBC Sport. 24 May 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2008.
  5. ↑ "Pernas para andar". Record. 12 November 2008.
  6. ↑ "Inter Milão e Feyenoord confirmados". Record. 30 June 2008.
  7. ↑ "Ao 2º dia, primeiras (mini)surpresas". /futeboldeataque.blogspot.pt. 25 August 2008.
  8. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa (Sagres) : 2ª jornada - Benfica empata 1-1 na Luz com FC Porto. Sporting vence em Braga e lidera campeonato". Desportugal. 2 September 2008.
  9. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa (Sagres) : 3ª jornada - Nacional e Sporting líderes. FC Porto travado pelo Rio Ave e Benfica vence 3-4 Paços de Ferreira". Desportugal. 23 September 2008.
  10. ↑ "Benfica 2 – Sporting 0 (resultado final)". TSF. 27 September 2008.
  11. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa ( Sagres) : 5ª jornada - FC Porto vence Sporting por 1-2 em Alvalade e chega à liderança. Benfica empata no Estádio do Mar.". Desportugal. 8 October 2008.
  12. ↑ "Óscar Cardozo coloca Benfica à frente do FC Porto". Relvado.sapo.pt. 26 October 2008.
  13. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa (Sagres) : 7ª jornada - Leixões líder isolado. Benfica e Sporting com vitórias sofridas e FC Porto em queda livre". Desportugal. 4 November 2008.
  14. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa (Sagres) : 8ª jornada - Leixões vence em Alvalade Sporting por 0-1 e lidera brilhantemente. Benfica e Porto vitoriosos". Desportugal. 18 November 2008.
  15. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa ( Sagres) : 9ª jornada - Leixões vence Rio Ave e mantém liderança. Benfica segue atrás com vitória em Coimbra.". Desportugal. 25 November 2008.
  16. ↑ "Benfica empata (2-2) com V. Setúbal e perde oportunidade de liderança". SL Benfica.pt (rubenamorim.blogspot.pt). 2 December 2008.
  17. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa : 11ª jornada - Benfica esmaga Marítimo por 0-6 e chega à liderança. Leixões caiu em Guimarães". Desportugal. 10 December 2008.
  18. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa : 12ª jornada - Nulidade e polémica na Luz, Dragão e Alvalade". Desportugal. 23 December 2008.
  19. ↑ "Benfica perde invencibilidade e liderança na Trofa". Maisfutebol (rubenamorim.blogspot.pt). 5 January 2009.
  20. ↑ "Jorge Jesus furioso: «Só resolvo isto na «playstation»!»". Maisfutebol.iol.pt. 12 January 2009.
  21. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa : 15ª jornada - FC Porto vence em Braga e fecha primeira volta na liderança. Benfica e Sporting empatam". Desportugal. 25 January 2009.
  22. ↑ "A lenda d'El Rey D. Sebastião". Eternobenfica. 31 January 2009.
  23. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa : 17ª jornada - FC Porto e Benfica empatam 1-1 no Dragão. Braga vence Sporting em Alvalade". Desportugal. 9 February 2009.
  24. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa: 18ª jornada - Sofrer em Grande!". Desportugal. 15 February 2009.
  25. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa: 19ª jornada - Sporting vence Benfica por 3-2 e relança candidatura ao título. FC Porto lidera agora com mais 4 pontos". Desportugal. 22 February 2009.
  26. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa: 20ª jornada - FC Porto e Sporting empatam 0-0 no Dragão e Benfica aproveita". Desportugal. 1 March 2009.
  27. ↑ "Benfica vence jogo dificil". foradejogo08. 8 March 2009.
  28. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa: 22ª jornada - FC Porto descola do Benfica que perdeu na Luz. Sporting sobe ao 2ª lugar". Desportugal. 16 March 2009.
  29. ↑ "Benfica vence (2-1) Estrela da Amadora". Maisfutebol (rubenamorim.blogspot.pt). 6 April 2009.
  30. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa: 24ª jornada - Luta pelo título para FC Porto e Sporting. Benfica perdeu novamente na Luz". Desportugal. 12 April 2009.
  31. ↑ "Liga Portuguesa: 25ª jornada - Triunfo do Sporting não desmoralizou FC Porto. Benfica regressou às goleadas". Desportugal. 21 April 2009.
  32. ↑ "Benfica vence Maritimo em jogo de sofrimento". foradejogo08.blogspot.pt. 26 April 2009.
  33. ↑ "Benfica é derrotado (3-1) na Choupana". Maisfutebol (rubenamorim.blogspot.pt). 3 May 2009.
  34. ↑ "Benfica empata com Trofense e despede-se da luta pelo segundo lugar". Slbenfica.pt (Rubenamorim.blogspot.pt). 10 May 2009.
  35. ↑ "Benfica garante 3º lugar ao vencer em Braga". O Jogo (rubenamorim.blogspot.pt). 17 May 2009.
  36. ↑ "Benfica dita despromoção de Belenenses". foradejogo08.blogspot.pt. 23 May 2009.
  37. ↑ "Quique Flores aplaudido de pé no adeus ao Benfica". Diario Noticas. 24 May 2009.
  38. ↑ "Quique e Benfica oficialmente «separados»". TSF. 8 June 2009.
  39. ↑ "Benfica precisou dos penaltis para eliminar Penafiel". Diario Noticas. 20 October 2008.
  40. ↑ "Benfica bate Desportivo das Aves por 3-0". Diário de Noticias. 10 November 2008.
  41. ↑ "Taça de Portugal: Beto elimina o Benfica e já faz o Leixões sonhar com final do Jamor". Publico.pt. 13 December 2008.
  42. ↑ "Benfica regressa às vitórias (0-2)". Maisfutebol (rubenamorim.blogspot.pt). 8 January 2009.
  43. ↑ "Benfica vence Olhanense aos olhos de Deus". Maisfutebol.iol.pt (rubenamorim.blogspot.pt). 15 January 2009.
  44. ↑ "Benfica nas meias-finais da Taça da Liga". Maisfutebol (rubenamorim.blogspot.pt). 18 January 2009.
  45. ↑ "Benfica irá encontrar Sporitng na Final da Taça da Liga". Maisfutebol (rubenamorim.blogspot.pt). 5 February 2009.
  46. ↑ "Benfica venceu Sporting na final da Taça da Liga". Jornal de Noticias. 21 March 2009.
  47. ↑ "Benfica vence Sporting e conquista Taça da Liga 2008/2009 com muita polémica". Desportugal. 23 March 2009.
  48. ↑ "Taça UEFA : 1ª Eliminatória (1ª mão) - Benfica perde em Nápoles 3-2. Braga goleia Artmedia e Setúbal, Guimarães e Marítimo com tarefas complicadas". Desportugal. 19 September 2008.
  49. ↑ "Milan march on as Benfica beat Napoli". UEFA.com. 3 October 2008.
  50. ↑ "Pantelić pounces to earn Hertha a point". UEFA.com. 24 October 2008.
  51. ↑ "Benfica scalp keeps Galatasaray climbing". UEFA.com.
  52. ↑ "Slick Olympiacos leave Benfica standing". UEFA.com. 27 November 2008.
  53. ↑ "Metalist scavenge victory in Lisbon". UEFA.com. 18 December 2008.
  54. ↑ "Fellipe Bastos flies in to Benfica". UEFA.com. 14 December 2007.
  55. ↑ "Transferência de Amorim confirmada". Record. 18 April 2008.
  56. ↑ "Yebda: «É um orgulho»". Record. 29 May 2008.
  57. ↑ "Encarnados pagaram 4 milhões por Balboa". Record. 25 June 2008.
  58. ↑ "Carlos Martins acerta vínculo". Record. 25 June 2008.
  59. ↑ "Urreta já cá está". Record. 12 July 2008.
  60. ↑ "Aimar leaves Zaragoza for Benfica". UEFA.com. 17 July 2008.
  61. ↑ "Ivan Santos contratado". Record. 18 July 2008.
  62. ↑ "Jorge Ribeiro: «É uma grande oportunidade»". Record. 24 July 2008.
  63. ↑ "5 milhões de euros por metade de passe de Sidnei". Record. 24 July 2008.
  64. ↑ "Águias confirmam chegada de Reyes". Record. 7 August 2008.
  65. ↑ "Suazo: «Benfica tem projecto bonito»". Record. 29 August 2008.
  66. ↑ "A despedida do Maestro Rui Costa". Record. 9 May 2008.
  67. ↑ "Grémio de Porto Alegre contrata Marcel". Record. 19 May 2008.
  68. ↑ "Bayern Munique confirma Butt oficialmente". Record. 4 June 2008.
  69. ↑ "Sretenovic no Timisoara". Record. 12 June 2008.
  70. ↑ "Fábio Coentrão cedido ao Saragoça". Record. 17 July 2008.
  71. ↑ "Miguelito assinou por 3 temporadas". Record. 17 June 2008.
  72. ↑ "Cristian Rodríguez descartado". Record. 21 June 2008.
  73. ↑ 73.0 73.1 73.2 "Marítimo bring in Benfica trio". UEFA.com. 16 July 2008.
  74. ↑ "Freddy Adu emprestado à AS Monaco". Record. 21 July 2008.
  75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 75.2 75.3 "Quique inicia redução do grupo de trabalho". Record. 21 July 2008. embora alguns deles, como são os casos de André Carvalhas (Rio Ave), Ruben Lima e Romeu Ribeiro (Aves) e Miguel Rosa (Estoril), já tenham o futuro definido.
  76. ↑ "Ivan Santos de volta". Record. 22 July 2008.
  77. ↑ "Palace bag Benfica defender Fonte". BBC Sport. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  78. ↑ "Pedro Correia (ex-Benfica) e Edgar Marcelino no Racing Ferrol". Maisfutebol. 24 July 2008.
  79. ↑ "Petit: «Tenho de agradecer a disponibilidade do Benfica»". Record. 29 July 2008.
  80. ↑ "Brasil: Coritiba anuncia contratação de Jailson (ex-Braga)". Maisfutebol.iol.pt. 30 July 2008.
  81. ↑ "Marco Ferreira rescinde contrato". Record. 31 July 2008.
  82. ↑ 82.0 82.1 "Nuno Assis e Luís Filipe confirmados no Vitória". Record. 6 August 2008.
  83. ↑ "Espanha: Osasuna garante Tiago Gomes (Benfica) a custo zero". Maisfutebol. 11 August 2008.
  84. ↑ "Racing confirma empréstimo de Sepsi". Record. 12 August 2008.
  85. ↑ "Trio de certificados já chegou". Record. 22 August 2008.
  86. ↑ "Betis oficializa contratação de Nélson". Record. 27 August 2008.
  87. ↑ "Fluminense garante empréstimo de Edcarlos". Record. 29 August 2008.
  88. ↑ "Bruno Costa no Olivais e Moscavide". Record. 26 September 2008.
  89. ↑ "Marcel ruma ao Japão". Record. 19 December 2008.
  90. ↑ "Fábio Coentrão confirmado". Record. 5 January 2009.
  91. ↑ "Oriental com revolução no plantel". Record. 7 January 2009. a equipa também já poderá contar com Bruno Costa (estava no O. Moscavide, e é emprestado pelo Benfica)
  92. ↑ "Brasileiro Léo já rescindiu contrato". Record. 13 January 2009.
  93. ↑ "Makukula secures Bolton loan move". BBC Sport. 16 January 2009. Archived from the original on 17 January 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
  94. ↑ "André Carvalhas emprestado ao Olhanense". Record. 20 January 2009.
  95. ↑ "Zoro emprestado ao V. Setúbal". Record. 2 February 2009.
  96. ↑ "Yu Dabao cedido ao Olivais e Moscavide". Record. 2 February 2009.
  97. ↑ Almanaque do Benfica. Lua de Papel. p. 642. ISBN 978-989-23-2087-8.