As the new football season dawns, Portugal`s two giants, Sporting CP and SL Benfica, prepare to clash for the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. More than just a trophy, this match is a statement of intent, a tactical puzzle, and a deep-seated rivalry reborn.
The Algarve Stadium is set to host a spectacle this Thursday at 8:45 PM, as Sporting CP and SL Benfica lock horns in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. This isn`t merely a curtain-raiser; it`s a battle for the first piece of silverware in the 2025/2026 Portuguese football season, a chance for both Lisbon titans to lay down a marker for the campaigns ahead.
The Super Cup`s Coveted Shine
Both Sporting and Benfica currently share an identical record of nine Supertaça titles, a testament to their enduring presence at the summit of Portuguese football. However, they remain a considerable distance behind FC Porto`s dominant tally of 24. This match, therefore, presents an opportunity for either side to edge ahead in this particular historical battle, adding another layer of intrigue to an already fiery derby.
Sporting last hoisted this trophy in 2021, securing a 2-1 victory over SC Braga. Their most recent attempt in the previous season saw them succumb to FC Porto in an electrifying 4-3 encounter, having squandered a three-goal advantage – a bitter memory they`ll be keen to erase. Benfica, on the other hand, last tasted Super Cup glory in 2019, inflicting a memorable 5-0 defeat on their rivals.
Sporting`s Shifting Sands: Post-Gyokeres Era Begins
Fresh off a highly successful end to the previous season, which saw them clinch a remarkable domestic double (the National Championship and the Portuguese Cup), Sporting enters this new campaign with a mixture of triumph and trepidation. The biggest question mark hangs over the departure of their prolific striker, Viktor Gyokeres, who moved on for a hefty €65.8 million. While the coffers are undeniably fuller, the void left on the pitch is a testament to the adage: money talks, but goals scream.
The `Lions` have since bolstered their squad, with notable arrivals including forward Luis Suárez from Almeria and Georgian midfielder Giorgi Kochorashvili from Levante. They`ve also added Alisson Santos and João Virgínia, though these are unlikely to feature in the starting XI. With Suárez being a very recent acquisition, the attacking burden for this crucial match is expected to fall on Conrad Harder. Adding to their pre-match concerns are injuries to key midfielders Daniel Bragança and Nuno Santos.
Tactically, coach Rui Borges appears to be contemplating a shift to a back-four system, a significant departure from the established paradigm under former coach Ruben Amorim. This tactical evolution demands adaptation and potentially the recruitment of `true` full-backs to effectively implement the new strategy. The Super Cup will be the first major test of this potential new direction.
Benfica`s Electoral Imperative and Ambitious Reinforcements
Across Lisbon, Benfica faces a unique pressure this season, amplified by the upcoming presidential elections in October. President Rui Costa has made it clear that he intends to provide coach Bruno Lage with all the necessary tools to achieve the club`s primary objectives – read: win titles. The `Eagles` have seen some significant departures, including the influential Argentine Di María and midfielder Orkun Kokçu.
However, Benfica has responded with an ambitious transfer strategy. Their new acquisitions include Rafael Obrador from Real Madrid, Amar Dedic from Salzburg, Enzo Barrenechea from Aston Villa, and most notably, Richard Ríos from Palmeiras, who arrives as the club`s most expensive signing to date. Forward Ivanovic is also expected to be officially announced soon. Injured players Alexander Bah and Manu Silva remain unavailable as they recover from last season`s setbacks. For Benfica, this isn`t just about football; it`s a political campaign on turf, where every pass and tackle could sway an October vote.
A Rivalry Defined: Recent History and Super Cup Showdowns
The last encounter between these two giants was a thrilling Portuguese Cup final, which Sporting won 3-1 after extra time, sealing their domestic double and adding a glorious chapter to their recent history. In their last five competitive meetings, Sporting has held the upper hand, securing three victories (2-1 and 1-0 in the league, plus the aforementioned 3-1 Cup final triumph). Benfica managed a draw (1-1 in the league) and suffered a penalty shootout defeat (1-1, 6-7) in the League Cup final.
In the Supertaça specifically, this will be the sixth time Sporting and Benfica have contested the final. Benfica emerged victorious in 1980 (2-1 agg. after a 2-2 first leg), while Sporting claimed the trophy in 1987 (3-0 agg., 1-0 in second leg). Their 2015 clash saw Sporting win by a solitary goal from Teófilo Gutiérrez. Most recently, in 2019, Benfica delivered a resounding 5-0 victory, with goals from Rafa Silva, Pizzi (2), Grimaldo, and Chiquinho.
Words from the Bench: The Coaching Perspectives
The Man in the Middle: Fábio Veríssimo to Officiate
The Portuguese Football Federation`s Arbitration Council has appointed Fábio Veríssimo, a 42-year-old referee from the Leiria Football Association, to officiate this Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira clash. He will be assisted by Paulo Brás and Hugo Marques, with David Silva serving as the fourth official. The VAR duties will be handled by Bruno Esteves, assisted by Pedro Felisberto and Rui Costa. All eyes will be on the officials to ensure a fair and smoothly run contest, especially given the high stakes and historical intensity of this particular derby.
This match is not just a game; it`s a narrative unfolding. Sporting, fresh from a dominant season but navigating a major transition, faces Benfica, a club under electoral pressure but armed with new, expensive talent. The stage is set for a gripping encounter that promises to deliver drama, tactical intrigue, and perhaps, the first glimpse of who truly holds the upper hand in Portuguese football for the season to come. May the best team prevail, and may the fans get the spectacle they deserve.
