2021 is coming to an end, but before that happens, Benfica and Porto meet twice at the Estádio do Dragão.
First up, the two rivals will meet in the Round of 16 of the Taça de Portugal. Unlike the later stages of the competition, there will need to be a winner on Thursday evening. No second chances, no second leg; go big or go home!
Since the 2000/01 season, both sides have met in the prestigious competition eight times. Unfortunately, the stats are slightly in favor of our rivals. Thursday, the encarnados get a chance to balance the numbers.
Three wins, four defeats, and one draw. In total, Benfica managed to score ten goals while conceding 13.
They’ve met twice in the final of the Taça de Portugal, each winning one.
Benfica came away with an extra-time win in the 2003/04 season after goals from Fyssas and Simão. Porto’s revenge came more recently (2019/20), Mbemba scoring two goals, putting an end to a disastrous campaign for the encarnados, as Nelson Verissimo watched on from the sideline.
Benfica’s fortunes haven’t been great when it comes to the later stages where it’s decided over two legs.
In 2001 and 2011, the aggregate got the best of the águias.
A 5-1 aggregate in 2001 with Maniche scoring Benfica’s only goal as Toni could not lead the club into the next round.
Ten years later, Benfica was again on the losing side of an aggregate score.
After an impressive 0-2 win at the Estádio do Dragão with goals from Fábio Coentrão and Javi Garcia in the first leg, Jorge Jesus and company lost 1-3 at home, crashing out of the competition on away goals.
The Portuguese manager would get his revenge a few years later.
After Siqueira saw two yellow cards in three minutes, André Gomes sent the Estádio da Luz into absolute euphoria as the hosts ran away with a 3-1 win.
If we look at the managers, this will be Jorge Jesus’ fifth meeting with Porto as Benfica manager in the competition. With two wins and two losses, JJ will be hopeful of coming away with a win as he chases only his second Taça de Portugal title.
Sérgio Conceição won his only meeting with the encarnados in the final two years ago, 2019/20. That too was the young manager’s only title in this competition.
This will be the first meeting between managers in this competition representing these clubs, and ironically, neither will be on the sideline seeing as both are suspended.
The stage is set for yet another spicy meeting between these two rivals, so will Benfica fans have a very Merry Christmas, or will it be one of reflection and frustration?
