Farense vs Benfica

Fresh from securing their first trophy of the season, Benfica head to the Estadio de Sao Luis to face SC Farense in the fifth round of the Taca de Portugal. This encounter highlights the contrasting histories of the two clubs in the competition. Benfica, the most successful team in the tournament's history with 26 titles, last lifted the trophy during the 2016-17 campaign. On the other hand, Farense’s best achievement came in 1990 when they finished as runners-up, a feat that remains a proud moment in their otherwise modest cup history.

Farense enter this match on the back of a determined defensive display in their first outing of the year. They held Santa Clara to a goalless draw at the Estadio de Sao Miguel two Sundays ago. Despite being reduced to 10 men just before halftime when Marcos Moreno was sent off, Farense showed resilience and discipline. Santa Clara, despite dominating possession and registering 17 shots, could not break down Farense’s resolute backline. This performance marked another positive result in a string of encouraging displays under Toze Marreco’s guidance.

The draw against Santa Clara extended Farense’s unbeaten run to three matches. Prior to that, they secured a 2-1 win over Famalicao on December 21 and played out a 0-0 stalemate against Vitoria de Guimaraes. Looking further back, Farense have lost just once in their last eight matches across all competitions, a narrow 1-0 defeat to Gil Vicente on December 14. This loss, a result of an unfortunate own goal by Lucas Africo, was the only blemish in an otherwise consistent run over the past 10 weeks.

However, despite this improvement in form, Farense remain in a precarious position in the Primeira Liga. They sit second from bottom in the standings with 14 points from 17 matches, just two points clear of last-placed Boavista. The fight for league survival remains their primary concern, but they will be eager to make a statement in the Taca de Portugal. In the earlier rounds of the competition, Farense showcased their capabilities. They secured a 4-2 victory over third-tier Sanjoanense on October 20, followed by a hard-fought 2-1 win against Arouca in the fourth round, with first-half goals from Dario Poveda and Elves Balde proving decisive.

Meanwhile, Benfica enter this fixture riding high after a dramatic triumph in the Taca da Liga final. Facing rivals Sporting Lisbon in a thrilling Lisbon derby, the match ended in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time. Andreas Schjelderup gave Benfica the lead, but Viktor Gyokeres equalized for Sporting just before halftime. After 120 minutes of intense action, Benfica emerged victorious in the shootout, winning 7-6 to claim the season’s first piece of silverware.

This victory was a much-needed boost for Benfica, who had endured a rocky start to the new year. Back-to-back defeats in the Primeira Liga had raised concerns about their form. They lost 1-0 to Sporting Lisbon on December 29 and then suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Braga on January 3. However, they quickly regained their footing with a commanding 3-0 win over Braga in their subsequent league-and-cup doubleheader on January 8, demonstrating their resilience and quality.

Benfica’s focus now shifts back to the Taca de Portugal, a competition they have dominated historically. They have been impressive in this season’s tournament, cruising through the earlier rounds with ease. Their campaign began with a straightforward 2-0 victory over Campeonato de Portugal side Pevidem SC on October 19. In the fourth round, they delivered a stunning performance, thrashing Primeira Liga opponents Estrela Amadora 7-0 at the Estadio da Luz. Across these matches, Benfica scored nine goals without conceding, underlining their attacking prowess and defensive solidity.

Bruno Lage’s side will look to maintain their momentum and continue their quest for a record-extending 27th Taca de Portugal crown. Facing Farense, a team they have dominated in recent encounters, Benfica will be confident of securing progression to the next round. Farense, on the other hand, have struggled against Benfica in recent years, losing their last three meetings and failing to win any of their last seven clashes with the Lisbon giants. Their most recent victory against Benfica dates back over two decades, emphasizing the uphill task they face.

Despite the disparity in their league standings and historical records, Farense will aim to capitalize on the unpredictability of cup football. The underdogs have shown glimpses of quality in recent weeks, and with the home crowd behind them, they will hope to spring a surprise. For Benfica, this match offers an opportunity to build on their recent success and reinforce their status as favorites for the Taca de Portugal title. As the two sides prepare to lock horns, all eyes will be on the Estadio de Sao Luis for what promises to be an intriguing cup encounter.