Nine points separate the traditional rivals in the Portuguese title fight; the teams desperately need the win to revive the competition
Porto and Benfica will measure their strengththis Sunday (3/3), at 5.30pm (Brasilia time), at the Estádio do Dragão. The classic is valid for the 24th round of the Portuguese Championship.
Third in the table with 49 points, the Dragons still dream of the trophy and will take to the field with the maximum strength and support of their fans in an attempt to reduce the deficit. On the other hand, the Reds have an attacking team that tries to isolate themselves at the front.
Where to look
The classic between Porto and Benfica will be broadcast live Star+streaming in Brazil.
How to get to Porto
After almost snatching the title last season, Porto are looking at an uncomfortable distance this year. After all, there are 49 points from 23 games and they are seven points behind Sporting and nine behind leaders Benfica, this Sunday’s rivals. On the other hand, Porto played a great season in the first phase of the Champions League, placing second in Group H. In the first leg of the round of 16, the team achieved an important home victory 1-0, thanks to a goal by the Brazilian Galeno, against Arsenal.
Porto is coming off a Portuguese Cup victory last Thursday. In the quarterfinals, they defeated Santa Clara 2–1 away from home, with goals from Brazilians Galeno and Evanílson. The semi-final rival will be Vitória de Guimarães. Forward Tahremi and defender Marcano, injured, are coach Sérgio Conceição’s main absences for the classic.
How Benfica arrives
In defense of the Portuguese title, won in 2022/23, Benfica remains firmly at the top, with 58 points from 23 games. Furthermore, the team led by Roger Schmidt continues to keep an eye on the Portuguese Cup, despite the 2-1 defeat against Sporting in the last match. The return duel will be at the beginning of April.
The championship is also favorable in the Champions League. After all, the Reds were unable to defeat Real Sociedad and Inter: third in the table, they started playing in the Europa League and have already beaten Toulouse 2-1 at the Estádio da Luz. Left back Juan Bernat, with a muscle problem, is the main uncertainty for the classic.
Porto-Benfica
24th round of the Portuguese Championship
Date and time: 3/3/2024, at 5.30pm (Brasilia time)
Local: Dragão Stadium, Porto (POR)
PORT: Diogo Costa; João Mário, Pepe, Otávio and Wendell; Alan Varela, Stephen Eustáquio and Pepê; Francisco Conceição, Ivan Jaime and Evanílson. Technician: Pep Guardiola.
BENFICA: Anatoly Trubin; Alexander Bah, António Silva, Nicolás Otamendi and Fredrik Aursnes; João Neves, Joãpo Mário and Orkun Kökçü; David Neres, Ángel Di María and Rafa Silva. Technician: Erik Ten Hag.
Referee: João Pinheiro
Assistants: Bruno Jesus and Luciano Maia
VAR: Tiago Martins
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Source: Terra
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