1997–98 S.L. Benfica season

The 1997–98 season was Sport Lisboa e Benfica's 94th season in existence and the club's 64th consecutive season in the top flight of Portuguese football, covering the period from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998. It involved Benfica competing in the Primeira Divisão and the Taça de Portugal. Benfica qualified for the UEFA Cup by finishing 3rd in the previous Primeira Divisão.

Benfica
1997–98 season
PresidentManuel Damásio
(until 31 October 1997)
João Vale e Azevedo
Head coachManuel José
(until 20 September 1997)
Mário Wilson
(interin until 1 November 1997)
Graeme Souness
StadiumEstádio da Luz
Primeira Divisão2nd
Taça de PortugalSemi-finals
UEFA CupFirst round
Top goalscorerLeague: Nuno Gomes (18)
All: Nuno Gomes (22)
Highest home attendance70,000 vs Braga
(1 March 1998)
Lowest home attendance5,000 vs Varzim
(21 December 1997)

After three seasons without a league title, Benfica signed more than ten players in an attempt to regain competitiveness. Important signings were 21 year-old Nuno Gomes who scored 15 league goals in the past season, and together with Sánchez (also signed), were vital in denying Benfica the opportunity to retain the Portuguese Cup in the 1997 Taça de Portugal Final. An addition with high expectations was Paulo Nunes, the 1996 Brasileirão top-scorer, which was meant to partner with João Pinto in the attack, but ended clashing with him.[1] Manuel José briefly led the team, being replaced due to poor results after five games. Mário Wilson returned for a third spell of just a month, until Scottish manager Graeme Souness assumed the team in November. Although not an immediate success, changes in the squad during the winter transfer market made instant impact, with an ensuing seven-game winning streak helping the team secure a second-place finish, and benefiting from recent changes in format, qualify for the UEFA Champions League.[2]

Season summary

After a season that broke negative records,[3] Benfica started the new one hoping to improve its previous year's performance. Manuel José continued as manager, with the opportunity to rebuild the squad in his preference. Despite many misses, new signings Nuno Gomes, Gamarra and Scott Minto jumped immediately to the starting eleven.

The season opened with a convincing home against S.C. Campomaiorense, but this impact was immediately cut short. In the first game as visitor, Benfica conceded the first loss; in the next matchday, the club had to fight not to lose at home against Académica.[2] In the first European game, a second loss, against Bastia, which had qualified using the Intertoto Cup.[2][4] A second league loss in four games led to the immediate dismissal of José, as disciplinary problems also emerged, mainly the incident involving João Pinto and a fireman after the game in Vila do Conde.[5][2]

Benfica resorted to Mário Wilson for a third time in two years, until a permanent substitute was found.[2] The experienced manager was unable to revert the one-nill deficit brought from first leg of the UEFA Cup, ending European football in September for the first time since 1990–91. The situation did not improve in the league, with a five-game win less spree, seeing the club drop to eleventh.[6] Wilson's influence only made effect on late October, with three straight wins, one counting for the Portuguese Cup.[4]

After a presidential change, Benfica hired Graeme Souness on 1 November. The Scottish manager had spells at Rangers, Liverpool, and had worked abroad, in Turkey and Italy, but was mostly unheard of in Portuguese football. In his first month, the helped the team climb from sixth to fourth, only three points from second place.[7] Despite this, Benfica was still losing much needed points, entering the Clássico against Porto with an eleven-point difference.[7] After a losing in Estádio das Antas, and with two more points lost at home, the winter signings, Poborský, Brian Deane and Luís Carlos began to impact the team performance, helping the club start a winning run, that saw them climb to second place, and beat Sporting C.P. by four-one in Alvalade in February.[2] The only downside was the semi-final exit in the Portuguese cup, at the hands of S.C. Braga; the fourth time in history that Braga had eliminated Benfica (1966, 1979, and 1982).[2]

In March, even though the team lost five points, the reappearance of João Pinto after an injury suffered in the Clássico gave Souness one more option to partner with Nuno Gomes.[2] Isolated in second and with Porto clinching the title in late April, the team faced them only fighting for their honour. With a three-nil victory, the team exacted revenge from the defeat in January.[8] The season ended with a seven-one victory over Leça; the biggest home win in the league, as Souness was certain to remain in charge.[8]

Competitions

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

Overall record

Competition First match Last match Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win % Source
Primeira Divisão 24 August 1997 17 May 1998 34 20 8 6 62 29 +33 058.82 [9]
Taça de Portugal 26 October 1997 24 February 1998 6 4 1 1 11 5 +6 066.67 [9]
UEFA Cup 16 September 1997 30 September 1997 2 0 1 1 0 1 −1 000.00 [9]
Total 42 24 10 8 73 35 +38 057.14

Primeira Divisão

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Porto (C) 34 24 5 5 75 38 +37 77 Qualification to Champions League group stage
2 Benfica 34 20 8 6 62 29 +33 68 Qualification to Champions League second qualifying round
3 Vitória de Guimarães 34 17 8 9 42 25 +17 59 Qualification to UEFA Cup First round
4 Sporting CP 34 15 11 8 45 33 +12 56
5 Marítimo 34 16 8 10 44 35 +9 56
Source: Primeira Divisão
Rules for classification: 1st points, 2nd head-to-head, 3rd goals average
(C) Champion.

Results by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
GroundHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH
ResultWLDLDDWWWDWDLWLDWWWWWWWDWWLWWWDWLW
Position1571111117655444465552222222222222222
Source: ForaDeJogo
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

24 August 1997 1 Benfica 4–0 Campomaiorense Lisbon
20:00 Calado  2'
Paulo Nunes  13', 58'
João Pinto  80'
Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Mario Mendes
31 August 1997 2 Vitória de Setúbal 1–0 Benfica Porto
20:30 Vali Gasimov  11' Report Stadium: Estádio das Antas
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Paulo Costa
13 September 1997 3 Benfica 1–1 Académica Lisbon
17:00 Tahar  88' Report Mickey  73' Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: José Pratas
20 September 1997 4 Rio Ave 3–1 Benfica Vila do Conde
20:15 Peu  5'
Nenad  36'
Marcos  39'
Report João Pinto  89' (pen.) Stadium: Estádio do Rio Ave FC
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: José Leirós
27 September 1997 5 Benfica 0–0 Sporting Lisbon
20:00 Report Oceano  10'  37' Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Martins dos Santos
4 October 1997 6 Braga 1–1 Benfica Braga
20:30 Toni  26' Report Nuno Gomes  3'
Tahar  34'  63'
Stadium: Estádio 1º de Maio
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Paulo Costa
19 October 1997 7 Benfica 3–1 Farense Lisbon
20:00 Erwin Sánchez  7'
Nuno Gomes  60'
Panduru  77' (pen.)
Report Hassan  69' Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Paulo Baptista
1 November 1997 8 Desp. Chaves 0–1 Benfica Chaves
21:15 Report Calado  14' Stadium: Estádio Municipal de Chaves
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Paulo Paraty
10 November 1997 9 Benfica 1–0 Vitória Guimarães Lisbon
19:00 João Pinto  82' Report Kasongo  21'  40' Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: António Costa
21 November 1997 10 Boavista 0–0 Benfica Porto
20:00 Report Stadium: Estádio do Bessa
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Isidoro Rodrigues
29 November 1997 11 Belenenses 1–2 Benfica Lisbon
21:00 Barny  38' Report Edgar  76', 87' Stadium: Estádio do Restelo
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Vitor Pereira
7 December 1997 12 Benfica 2–2 Salgueiros Lisbon
19:00 Edgar  11'
Panduru  43'
Report Artur Jorge Vicente  8', 20'
Cao  42'  72'
Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 70,000
Referee: Jacinto Paixão
12 December 1997 13 Maritimo 1–0 Benfica Funchal
19:00 Bino  53' Report Stadium: Estádio dos Barreiros
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Paulo Baptista
21 December 1997 14 Benfica 4–0 Varzim Lisbon
19:00 Nuno Gomes  51', 55', 84', 88' (pen.) Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Paulo Paraty
3 January 1998 15 Porto 2–0 Benfica Porto
20:30 Artur  56', 73'
Paulinho Santos  64'
Report João Pinto  40'  64' Stadium: Estádio das Antas
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: António Costa
11 January 1998 16 Benfica 2–2 Estrela da Amadora Lisbon
18:15 Martin Pringle  28', 31' Report José Carlos  65'
Paulo Ferreira  85'
Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Mário Mendes
18 January 1998 17 Leça 1–2 Benfica Leça da Palmeira
19:00 Zé da Rocha  51' Report Erwin Sánchez  38'
Kandaurov  70'
Stadium: Estádio do Leça FC
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: António Rola
24 January 1998 18 Campomaiorense 1–2 Benfica Campo Maior, Portalegre
20:30 Jorginho  53' Report Erwin Sánchez  25'
Poborský  86'
Stadium: Estádio Capitão Cesar Correia
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: Paulo Paraty
1 February 1998 19 Benfica 2–0 Vitória Setúbal Lisbon
19:30 Nuno Gomes  30', 35' Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: José Leirós
7 February 1998 20 Académica 1–2 Benfica Coimbra
20:30 João Tomás  44' Report Poborský  14'
Brian Deane  76'
Stadium: Estádio Cidade de Coimbra
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: António Costa
15 February 1998 21 Benfica 2–1 Rio Ave Lisbon
19:00 Erwin Sánchez  33'
Nuno Gomes  57'
José Soares  72'  81'
Report Nito  27'
Sérgio China  28'  28'
Marcos  8' (pen.)  58'  59'
Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Martins dos Santos
21 February 1998 22 Sporting 1–4 Benfica Lisbon
21:30 Leandro Machado  66' Report Poborský  44'
Sousa  64'
Brian Deane  69'
João Pinto  83'
Stadium: Estádio de Alvalade
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Isidoro Rodrigues
1 March 1998 23 Benfica 3–0 Braga Lisbon
19:30 Tiago  19'
Tahar  69'
Brian Deane  75'
Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 70,000
Referee: Luís Miranda
8 March 1998 24 Farense 1–1 Benfica Faro
20:30 Marco Nuno  8' Report Tahar  4' Stadium: Estádio de São Luís
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Paulo Costa
15 March 1998 25 Benfica 3–1 Desp. Chaves Lisbon
19:30 Poborský  2'
Nuno Gomes  24' (pen.)
Report Toninho Cruz  28'  42'
Roberto Matute  88'
Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Augusto Duarte
22 March 1998 26 Vitória Guimarães 0–1 Benfica Guimarães
19:00 Report Erwin Sánchez  89' Stadium: Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: António Costa
28 March 1998 27 Benfica 1–2 Boavista Lisbon
20:45 Erwin Sánchez  89' Report Litos  28'
Jorge Couto  54'
Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Mário Mendes
5 April 1998 28 Benfica 2–1 Belenenses Lisbon
19:00 Nuno Gomes  70', 75' Report Caetano  44' Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: António Marçal
11 April 1998 29 Salgueiros 0–2 Benfica Porto
21:15 Report João Pinto  35'
Brian Deane  85'
Stadium: Estádio Prof. Dr. José Vieira de Carvalho
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Augusto Duarte
19 April 1998 30 Benfica 3–1 Maritimo Lisbon
21:15 Brian Deane  30'
Ricardo Emídio Ramalho Silva  34' (o.g.)
Tahar  88'
Report Romeu Almeida  70' Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: José Leirós
25 April 1998 31 Varzim 0–0 Benfica Póvoa de Varzim
19:30 Luizão  29'  82' Report Scott Minto  86' Stadium: Estádio do Varzim
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Mário Mendes
2 May 1998 32 Benfica 3–0 Porto Lisbon
20:00 Brian Deane  16'
Poborský  24'
Tahar  86'
Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: José Pratas
11 May 1998 33 Estrela da Amadora 2–0 Benfica Lisbon
20:00 Jorge Andrade  68'
Chaínho  72'
Report Tahar  69'  70' Stadium: Estádio da Reboleira
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Paulo Paraty
17 May 1998 34 Benfica 7–1 Leça Lisbon
17:05 João Pinto  9'
Nuno Gomes  13', 25', 67', 85', 89' (pen.)
Brian Deane  68'
Report Constantino Jardim  44' (pen.)
Vladan Stojkovic  88'
Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Monteiro da Silva

Taça de Portugal

26 October 1997 Fourth Rd Benfica 4–2 Farense Lisbon
18:00 Tahar  2'
João Pinto  40'
Nuno Gomes  46', 71'
Report Hajry  74' (pen.)
Camilo  77'
Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Referee: Bento Marques
16 November 1997 Fifth Rd Benfica 2–0 Rio Ave Lisbon
20:30 Taument  35'
Panduru  56'
Martin Pringle  80'
Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Referee: José Pratas
13 January 1998 Sixth Rd Benfica 1–0 Beira-Mar Lisbon
20:30 Gamarra  73' Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Referee: Lucílio Baptista
4 February 1998 Quarter-finals Gil Vicente 1–1 (a.e.t.) Benfica Barcelos
20:30 Sérgio Lomba  59' Report Nuno Gomes  42' Stadium: Estádio Adelino Ribeiro Novo
Referee: José Pratas
11 February 1998 QF Replay Benfica 1–0 Gil Vicente Lisbon
20:30 Nuno Gomes  55' Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Referee: Paulo Paraty
24 February 1998 Semi-finals Braga 2–1 Benfica Braga
20:30 Karoglan  32', 58' Report Panduru  15' (pen.) Stadium: Estádio 1º de Maio
Referee: Bento Marques

UEFA Cup

First round

16 September 1997 First leg Bastia 1–0 Benfica Bastia
19:00 André  80' Report Stadium: Stade Armand Cesari
Attendance: 10,080
Referee: Pierluigi Pairetto (Italy)
30 September 1997 Second leg Benfica 0–0
(0–1 agg.)
Bastia Lisbon
19:00 Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: László Vágner (Hungary)

Friendlies

20 July 1997[10] Alphense 0–8 Benfica Alphen aan den Rijn
Stadium: Sportpark
22 July 1997[11] RKSV Taxandria 0–7 Benfica Oisterwijk
Stadium: Gemullehoek
27 July 1997[10] RKSV Halsteren 0–5 Benfica Halsteren
Stadium: Beek
3 August 1997[12] Centenary Belo Horizonte Cruzeiro 4–1 Benfica Belo Horizonte
Roberto Gaúcho
Geovanni
Fábio Júnior
Paulo Nunes Stadium: Mineirão
Attendance: 4,891
Referee: Cléver Gonçalves
5 August 1997[12] Centenary Belo Horizonte Flamengo 5–2 Benfica Belo Horizonte
Sávio  9' (pen.)
Iranildo
Lúcio
Rodrigo Mendes
Fábio Baiano
Erwin Sánchez
Paulo Nunes
Stadium: Mineirão
Attendance: 2,786
Referee: Raimundo Menezes de Carvalho
7 August 1997[12] Centenary Belo Horizonte Benfica 0–0 Olimpia Belo Horizonte
Stadium: Mineirão
Attendance: 3,088
Referee: Márcio Rezende de Freitas
12 August 1997[13] Benfica 0–1 Lazio Lisbon
20:30  43' Mancini Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Referee: Jorge Coroado

Player statistics

The squad for the season consisted of the players listed in the tables below, as well as staff member Manuel José (manager), Mário Wilson (manager) and Graeme Souness (manager).[14][9]

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 1997-98 season via transfer, with more details in the following section.

No. Pos Nat Player TotalPrimeira DivisãoTaça de PortugalUEFA Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK Michel Preud'homme 33-2628-224-410
2 DF Tahar El Khalej 2562152120
3 DF Jorge Soares 60500010
5 DF Paulo Madeira 2602204000
6 MF Tiago Pereira 2412111020
7 FW Paulo Nunes 82521020
8 MF João Pinto 3072563120
9 MF Basarab Panduru 2041525200
10 MF Erwin Sánchez 3062663010
11 FW Martin Pringle 1931423120
12 GK Ovchinnikov 9-96-72-11-1
13 DF Ronaldo Guiaro 3502706020
14 MF Leônidas 50400010
15 MF Amaral 50500000
16 DF Scott Minto 2502104000
17 MF Gaston Taument 2011602120
18 DF Abdelkrim El Hadrioui 2101702020
19 MF Bruno Caires 10100000
20 MF Jordão 80601010
21 FW Nuno Gomes 402233186410
22 MF José Calado 3722926020
23 MF Edgar Pacheco 1331231000
24 GK Paulo Lopes 00000000
25 MF Karel Poborský 2351954000
26 MF Luís Carlos 2311914000
27 MF Serhiy Kandaurov 91712000
28 FW Brian Deane 1771473000
32 DF Carlos Gamarra 1711302120
34 FW Duda 00000000
36 DF Sousa 3012515000
37 MF Hugo Leal 40400000
38 DF José Soares 50302000
39 DF Bruno Basto 30300000

Transfers

[15]

In

Entry date Position Player From club
July 1997 ST Nuno Gomes Boavista
July 1997 AM Erwin Sánchez Boavista
July 1997 CB Paulo Madeira Belenenses
July 1997 CB Carlos Gamarra Internacional
July 1997 GK Ovchinnikov Lokomotiv Moscow
July 1997 CM Jordão Estrela Amadora
July 1997 RW Gaston Taument Feyenoord
July 1997 LB Scott Minto Chelsea
July 1997 FW Paulo Nunes Grêmio[16]
July 1997 LW Leônidas Corinthians Alagoano
July 1997 AM Deco Corinthians Alagoano
July 1997 RW Duda Corinthians Alagoano
August 1997 RB Sousa Alverca
December 1997 DM Amaral Parma
December 1997 LW Luís Carlos Salgueiros
December 1997 ST Brian Deane Sheffield United
December 1997 CM Serhiy Kandaurov Maccabi Haifa
28 December 1997 RW Karel Poborský Manchester United[17]
January 1998 CB José Soares Alverca
January 1998 LB Bruno Basto Alverca

Out

Exit date Position Player To club
July 1997 GK Fernando Brassard Varzim
July 1997 CB Paredão Sheffield Wednesday
July 1997 CB Bermúdez Boca Juniors
July 1997 RB Marinho Campomaiorense
July 1997 LB Pedro Henriques Porto
July 1997 LB Lúcio Wagner Sevilla
July 1997 DM Amaral Parma
July 1997 CM Luís Gustavo Cruzeiro
July 1997 FB Nélson Morais Alverca
July 1997 AM Valdo Filho Nagoya Grampus
July 1997 CM Paulão Académica
July 1997 AM Iliev Slavia Sofia
July 1997 ST Hassan Nader Farense
July 1997 FW Mauro Airez Estrela da Amadora
July 1997 ST Valdir Atlético Mineiro
July 1997 FW Akwá Académica
July 1997 RW Glenn Helder Arsenal
August 1997 DM Bruno Caires Celta de Vigo
January 1998 FW Paulo Nunes Palmeiras
January 1998 CB Carlos Gamarra Corinthians
January 1998 RW Gaston Taument Anderlecht
January 1998 CM Jordão Braga
January 1998 LW Leônidas Arsenal Tula

Out by loan

Exit date Position Player To club Return date
July 1997 DM Jamir Flamengo 30 June 1998
July 1997 AM Deco Alverca 30 June 1998

References

  1. Christian Carvalho Cruz; Sérgio Garcia (March 1997). "Perigo: 50 maneiras do Brasil perder a Copa" [Danger: 50 ways that Brasil could lose the World Cup]. Placar (in Portuguese) (1137). Brazil. p. 42. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  2. Tovar 2012, p. 556.
  3. Tovar 2012, p. 548.
  4. Tovar 2012, p. 561.
  5. "João Pinto assume-se como "capitão da nau"" [João Pinto assumes as the ship captain]. Record (in Portuguese). 11 October 1999. Retrieved 24 September 2014. In the previous season, João Pinto was physically ok, but a punishment from the Liga (due to an alleged assault on a fireman in Vila do Conde) prevented the number 8 from playing in the preseason games
  6. Tovar 2012, p. 557.
  7. Tovar 2012, p. 558.
  8. Tovar 2012, p. 560.
  9. Tovar 2012, p. 562.
  10. Alberto Miguéns (3 April 2014). "Às Terras Baixas das Papoilas...Regressam as "Papoilas Saltitantes"". Em Defesa do Benfica (in Portuguese). Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  11. Vitor Serpa (August 1997). "Queridos Presidentes". A Bola magazine. No. 123. Portugal: A Bola. pp. 46–47.
  12. Ricardo Pontes (6 August 1999). "Copa Centenário de Belo Horizonte 1997". RSSSF (in Portuguese). Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  13. "Mancini, parole di uno che ci crede" [Mancini earns credit]. Gazzeta Dello Sport (in Italian). 14 August 1997. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  14. "Sport Lisboa e Benfica Squad 1997-98". Thefinalball.com.
  15. "Transfers". Thefinalball.com. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  16. "Paulo Nunes vai para o Benfica por US$ 10 milhões" [Paulo Nunes will go to Benfica por $10 million]. Folha Online. 8 July 1997. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  17. "Football: Benfica and Souness snap up Poborsky". The Independent. 28 December 1998. Retrieved 4 September 2015.

Bibliography

  • Tovar, Rui Miguel (2012). Almanaque do Benfica [Benfica Almanac]. Portugal: Lua de Papel. ISBN 978-989-23-2087-8.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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