1978–79 S.L. Benfica season

Benfica
1978–79 season
President Ferreira Queimado
Head coach John Mortimore
Stadium Estádio da Luz
Primeira Divisão 2nd
Taça de Portugal Fifth round
UEFA Cup Second round
Top goalscorer League: Nené (25)
All: Nené (28)
Home colours

The 1978–79 season was Sport Lisboa e Benfica's 75th season in existence and the club's 45th consecutive season in the top flight of Portuguese football, covering the period from 1 July 1978 to 30 June 1979. Benfica competed domestically in the Primeira Divisão and the Taça de Portugal, and participated in the UEFA Cup after finishing second in the previous league.

After narrowly missing out on the fourth consecutive title, Benfica signed João Alves, plus Reinaldo Gomes and Carlos Alhinho. They let go of Vítor Baptista and three others. In the league, a poor start with three losses in a month, severely hindered the title race. Nevertheless, despite dropping out of the UEFA Cup at the hands of Borussia Mönchengladbach, domestically, Benfica won all league matches for three months, reaching the first place in the league. A home draw with Porto stopped their winning run, but it was a loss to Marítimo that compromised their title race. That loss followed another with Braga for the Taça de Portugal. Despite dropping points again in March, Benfica kept an entertaining battle with Porto, which came to an end when they drew again in match-day 29. Two consecutive seasons without winning the Primeira Divisão was unprecedented since 1959.

Season summary

Benfica came on in the new season after barely missing the "Tetra", the fourth league title in a row, when they match Porto's 51 points but had worse goal-average.[1] This led the members to change a long time rule about only signing Portuguese players. On 1 July 1978, in a members meet, that rule was removed.[2] According to the press, the first foreign approached was Paul Mariner, but it did not pan out.[3] Benfica did made the biggest signing of the window, when they brought on João Alves from Spain.[4] Other signings included Reinaldo Gomes and the return of Carlos Alhinho.[5][6] Major departures included Vítor Baptista, but also Celso Pita and Vítor Martins, both due to career-ending injuries.[7][8][9] Benfica also replaced assistant manager Rui Silva for Peres Bandeira.[10] The pre-season began on 31 July,[11] and Benfica first competed in the inaugural Feyenoord Tournament with Feyenoord and Club Brugge, before making their presentation game with Nacional Montevideo on 16 August.[12][13][14] They ended the pre-season with two friendlies with Salamanca and Molenbeek, due to obligations related to the transfers of João Alves and Carlos Alhinho.[15][16]

Benfica started their league campaign with win against Barreirense, before they faced Porto in the Clássico.[17] On the Estádio das Antas, Benfica lost 1–0, but John Mortimore said the loss could prove to be a good thing.[17] The loss put an end to a 56–game undefeated streak in the competition that dated back to 3 October 1976.[18] However, Mortimore saw his team lose again on match-day 3, on a visit to Bonfim to play Vitória de Setúbal.[17] They reacted with a win against Braga, only to lose again in their next away visit.[4] In Estádio do Restelo, Benfica was defeated one-nil by Belenenses.[4] It was their third loss in the first month of competition.[19] In their first ever UEFA Cup participation, Benfica fared better and eliminated Nantes in the first round.[20][4] In the following round, Borussia Mönchengladbach, beat them 2–0 in Germany and eliminate them.[4] Still, October was a fruitful month for Benfica, as they started a winning run that extended three months.[19] They reached top of the league with the same points as Porto, after a 5–0 win against Sporting.[21][22] It was the largest win against them since the 7–2 in 1946.[19] On the following match-day, an away win with Vitória de Guimarães propelled Benfica into isolated first place with 16 points, one more than Porto.[23] Benfica winning run ended on 21 January with a 1–1 draw against Porto on match-day 17.[24] Mortimore complained of a three-meter off-side in Porto's goal.[25] It left Porto in a lead with a game more, because Benfica's match against Académico de Viseu on 30 December had to be postponed due to stormy weather.[21] In February, Benfica was knocked-out of the Portuguese Cup with a 2–1 loss with Braga, a defeat that Mortimore rated as fair.[25]

A week later, another defeat, now for the Primeira Divisão.[26] Benfica lost 2–1 in Barreiros to Máritimo and was now two points behind Porto, but still with one game less.[25] After winning the game in hand, Benfica matched Porto again at the front,[27] but let them slip again after dropping points in the following game. A visit to Varzim, where they drew 1–1.[28] Benfica responded with several consecutive wins, including one in Estádio de Alvalade, with a goal from João Alves.[25][29] As Benfica entered June, they were still neck and neck with Porto, but with a disadvantage in the head-to-head.[30] In second-to-last match-day, Benfica dropped points in Aveiro in a 0–0 draw with Beira-Mar and practically handed the title to Porto, who gained a point with one match left.[31] A week later, Benfica won, but so did Porto, who confirmed their back-to-back league title with 50 points, one more than Benfica.[32] About the season, Mortimore said: "What a beautiful championship, with an appealing fight between Benfica and Porto. They (Porto) ended up being Champions because in the matches against us, they racked-up three points. But that was not the reason why he lost it. It was the poor results with Belenenses, Setúbal and Marítimo.".[32] Two seasons without any honour was not seen since 1948, and two years without a league title not since 1959.[19]

Competitions

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

Overall record

Competition First match Last match Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win % Source
Primeira Divisão 28 August 1978 17 June 1979 30 23 3 4 75 21 +54 076.67 [33]
Taça de Portugal 14 January 1979 25 February 1979 3 2 0 1 8 2 +6 066.67 [33]
UEFA Cup 13 September 1978 1 November 1978 4 1 2 1 2 2 +0 025.00 [33]
Total 37 26 5 6 85 25 +60 070.27

Primeira Divisão

League table

Pos
 Team
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Pts
Qualification or relegation
1 Porto (C) 30 21 8 1 70 19+51 50 1979–80 European Cup First round
2 Benfica 30 23 3 4 75 21+54 49 1979–80 UEFA Cup First round
3 Sporting CP 30 17 8 5 46 22+24 42 1979–80 UEFA Cup First round

Source: [33]
Rules for classification: 1st points, 2nd head-to-head, 3rd goals average
(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
GroundHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
ResultWLLWLWWWWWWWWWWWDWWWLWDWWWWWDW
Position681110117742111111111111121111122

Source: ForaDeJogo
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Taça de Portugal

UEFA Cup

First Round

Second Round

Friendlies

Player statistics

The squad for the season consisted of the players listed in the tables below, as well as staff member John Mortimore (manager), Peres Bandeira (assistant manager).[10]

Note 1: Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Note 2: Players with squad numbers marked ‡ joined the club during the 1978-79 season via transfer, with more details in the following section.

No. Pos Nat Player TotalPrimeira DivisãoTaça de PortugalUEFA Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK Portugal Manuel Bento 3602903040
1 GK Portugal José Henrique 30300000
1 GK Portugal António Fidalgo 10001000
2 DF Portugal Minervino Pietra 2311911030
2 DF Portugal Alberto Fonseca 3102403040
3 DF Portugal Humberto Coelho 3582972140
4 DF Portugal Eurico Gomes 2201602040
4‡ DF Portugal Carlos Alhinho 3302702040
4 DF Portugal Joaquim Pereirinha 1811411030
5 DF Portugal António Bastos Lopes 3102603020
5 MF Portugal Mário Wilson 50301010
5 MF Portugal Adriano Spencer 10001000
6 MF Portugal Joaquim Simões 10001000
6 MF Portugal Toni 3312702140
7 FW Portugal Nené 372830253241
8‡ FW Portugal Reinaldo Gomes 341729172030
8‡ MF Portugal João Alves 321226112140
9 FW Portugal Rui Lopes 71510020
9 FW Portugal Jorge Silva 84632100
9 FW Portugal João Santos 10001000
10 MF Portugal Fernando Chalana 3343032011
11 MF Portugal Shéu 3633032040
11 FW Portugal Cavungi 90801000
11 FW Portugal Diamantino Miranda 11001100

Transfers

In

Entry date Position Player From club Fee Ref
14 April 1978 DF Carlos Alhinho Molenbeek Undisclosed [5]
27 April 1978 MF João Alves Salamanca Undisclosed [39]
28 June 1978 FW Reinaldo Gomes Famalicão Undisclosed [6]

Out

Exit date Position Player To club Fee Ref
8 April 1978 FW Vítor Baptista Vitória de Setúbal Free [7]
14 April 1978 DF António Barros Boavista Free [5]
22 July 1978 FW Celso Pita None Retired [9]
28 July 1978 MF Vítor Martins None Retired [8]

Out by loan

Exit date Position Player To club Return date Ref
18 July 1978 FW Orlando Fonseca Estoril Praia 30 June 1979 [40]

Notes

  1. ↑ Postponed at the 35 minute mark, with result 1–0 for Benfica due to heavy rains[21]

References

  1. ↑ Simões, António (2008). Equipamentos com história. 4. Portugal: A Bola. p. 17. ISBN 972-99134-7-1.
  2. ↑ Simões 1994, p. 215.
  3. ↑ "Paul Mariner, mais um inglês na Luz" [Paul Mariner, another Englishman in Benfica?]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19708): 16. 18 July 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Simões 1994, p. 217.
  5. 1 2 3 "Benfica: sai Barros, regressa Alhinho" [Benfica: Barros leaves, Alhinho returns]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19631): 17. 14 April 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Jacinto no Famalicão" [Jacinto in Famalicão]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19691): 16. 28 June 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  7. 1 2 "Vítor Baptista" [Vítor Baptista]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19626): 16. 8 April 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  8. 1 2 "Benfica fixa plantel" [Benfica defines squad]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19717): 19. 28 July 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  9. 1 2 "Celso ainda em estado grave" [Celso in critical condition]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19712): 17. 22 July 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  10. 1 2 "Peres Bandeira vai para a Luz" [Peres Bandeira will go to Benfica]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19713): 17. 24 July 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  11. ↑ "Benfica: primeira corrida" [Benfica, first race]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19720): 16. 1 August 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  12. 1 2 "Benfica batido na estreia" [Benfica defeated in debut]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19730): 19. 12 August 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  13. 1 2 "Benfica goleia 6-0" [Benfica thrashes 6-0]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19731): 15. 14 August 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  14. 1 2 "Benfica: estreia interrompida" [Benfica: presentation game interrupted]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19733): 15. 17 August 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  15. 1 2 "Benfica: Nova Vitória" [Benfica: New victory]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19736): 17. 21 August 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  16. 1 2 "Benfica empata na Bélgica" [Benfica drew in Belgiium]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19738): 15. 23 August 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  17. 1 2 3 Simões 1994, p. 216.
  18. ↑ UEFA (13 January 2017). "Longest unbeaten league runs". UEFA. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Tovar 2012, p. 410.
  20. ↑ Sport Lisboa e Benfica: 100 Gloriosos anos;As Taças Europeias. Portugal: Quidnovi. 2004. p. 74. ISBN 989-554-101-5.
  21. 1 2 3 Simões 1994, p. 218.
  22. ↑ "Três campeonatos, o titulo, Europa e manutenção" [Three leagues; the championship, Europe and maintenance]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19812): 19. 20 November 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  23. ↑ "Benfica torna-se comandante" [Benfica becomes leader]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19823): 19. 4 December 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  24. ↑ "Marítimo em queda livre" [Marítimo in free fall]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19862): 19. 22 January 1979. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  25. 1 2 3 4 Simões 1994, p. 220.
  26. ↑ "Táctica de Manuel Oliveira: um espanto" [Tactic of Manuel Oliveira: Amazing]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19897): 21. 5 March 1979. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  27. ↑ "Derrota do Funchal vingada em Viseu" [Defeat of Funchal revenged in Viseu]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19900): 20. 8 March 1979. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  28. ↑ "Sem Alves, o Benfica não ganha" [Without Alves, Benfica can't win]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19915): 19. 26 March 1979. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  29. ↑ Tovar 2012, p. 413–414.
  30. ↑ "Negócio é números" [Business is numbers]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19972): 19. 4 June 1979. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  31. ↑ "Benfica naufragou em Aveiro" [Benfica went down in Aveiro]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19978): 20. 11 June 1979. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  32. 1 2 Simões 1994, p. 221.
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 Tovar 2012, p. 415.
  34. ↑ António Manuel Morais; Carlos Perdigão; João Loureiro; José de Oliveira Santos (1994). Benfica: 90 Anos de História (in Portuguese). SOGAPAL. p. 257.
  35. ↑ "Sporting-Benfica a final na terça" [Sporting-Benfica in the Final on Tuesday]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19931): 21. 14 April 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  36. ↑ "Benfica com a Taça de Honra depois de bater o Sporting" [Benfica with Honour Cup after beating Sporting]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19934): 16. 18 April 1979. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  37. 1 2 "Vitória Final do Benfica: 4-0 ao Estrela Vermelha" [Benfica wins Paris Tournament. 4-0 win against Red Star]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19980): 17. 15 June 1979. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  38. 1 2 "Trofeo Ibérico (Badajoz-Spain) 1967-2005". RSSSF.com. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  39. ↑ "Alves pelo Vilar Formoso" [Alves for Vilar Formoso]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19642): 21. 27 April 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  40. ↑ "Estoril mais encarnado" [Estoril more red]. Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese) (19708): 16. 18 July 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2017.

Bibliography

  • Tovar, Rui Miguel (2012). Almanaque do Benfica. Portugal: Lua de Papel. ISBN 978-989-23-2087-8.
  • Simões, António (1994). História de 50 anos do Desporto Português. Portugal: A Bola.
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