Benfica Podcast - Talking to the Doll

In the Second half of Podcast 68, we review the midfielders and the forwards. We wrap up the season review by picking our Best Defensive, Best Offensive, Most Improved , Surprise , MVP and Bust players of the season.

Thank you for Listening

Please subscribe via Itunes, RSS Feed, or Stitcher radio.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [00:42:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (Loading)

In this week's episode...

We breakdown every single player that logged in minutes for Benfica this year. Unfortunately we went a little bit too long and we had to split the podcast in 2 parts. On this first part we breakdown the defensive sector.

Thanks for listening

please subscribe via Itunes, Rss feed, or stitcher radio

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (Loading)

In this week's episode.....

We look back at the 2012/2013 season in the first of two parts season review. In this first part we look at the team as a whole and its performance.  We discuss a multitude of topics - pre-season, Luisao's suspension, Witsel's and Garcia's exit, Champions League, Europa League, key matches, and the downward spiral of the last 20 days of the season, we cover it all.

Thanks for listening

please subscribe via Itunes, RSS Feed, or Stitcher Radio

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (Loading)

In this Episode....

It's a packed house, as Steve, Neil,Pedro, Mateus and myself discuss Benfica's end of the season. While the Portuguese Cup was far from being the one trophy that saved the season, the vast majority of the fans expected at least a little bit of joy at the end of what was a success short season. Hard to think the team approached this game with the right approach and the right attitude, a poor first half, followed by an even poorer second half, raised a lot of questions in regards to leadership, and how JJ motivated and prepared the team. Surely us fans deserved a lot more in the final match of the season.

In the second half of the podcast it's all about JJ and his renewal. We offer our opinions in the matter. From his shortcomings, and his evolution over the past 4 years, to the pros and cons to keeping JJ we throw a huge red blanket over the topic.

thanks for listening.

please subscribe via Itunes, RSS Feed, or Stitcher radio

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (Loading)

In this week's episode...

We start the podcast by discussing the Europa League Final against Chelsea. A dominant and stylish performance by Benfica wasn't enough to put away Chelsea. We discuss the decision to go with Rodrigo instead of Lima up front, and we look back at the game as a whole.

Next up, Benfica's final game of the season, where Benfica still held a tiny bit of hope that porto would slip at the Mata Real. Nothing to be ashamed of as far as this Benfica team goes, and even though we came up short, the performances throughout the season and what this team accomplished was quite remarkable.

In the second segment of the podcast, we turn our attention to the Final of the Portuguese Cup where Benfica will meet Vitoria de Guimaraes. Neal gives us a bit of history of Benfica in the Portuguese Cup. With the last chance to grab some silverware, we touch up on a few topics, and what can become of JJ if we fail to win the Portuguese Cup.

To finish up, we go through the whole list of players who have been associated with Benfica these past few days. Silly season is in full effect ladies and gents.

Thanks for listening

Please subscribe via Itunes, RSS feed, or Stitcher Radio

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (Loading)

In this week's episode...

Podcast fan Nelson calls in to give his perspective of the Classico. A tough loss in added time, is tough to digest, but there's nothing to be ashamed about, as Benfica has had quite a year.  Nonetheless the season is not over yet and i'm sure 6 million Benfiquistas will be out there with their fingers crossed for the last game of the championship this coming weekend.

In the second half of the podcast is all about Benfica's Europa League final match against Chelsea. First, Neal gives us a brief history of Benfica in Europe, and then we turn our attention to Chelsea.

After much Banter, we wrap up by briefly touching up on the final game of the season against Moreirense this coming weekend, whereBenfica will have to do their part and hope to hear goof news from the Mata Real.

Thanks for listening

Please subscribe via Itunes, Stitcher Radio, or RSS Feed

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (Loading)

In this week's episode...

We open up the podcast discussing Benfica's game against Fenerbahce, as Benfica reaches a European final 23 years later. Benfica proved to be too strong for the Turkish side, as the team didn't waste anytime tying up the aggregate with a goal inside the first 10 minutes. An unexpected goal by Fenerbahce complicated things, but Benfica was not going to let the final get away, as we would get on the board two more times to seal the deal, next stop Amsterdam.

Perhaps still hungover from the mental and physical indulgence, Benfica hosted Estoril at the Luz and couldn't get the three points, as the Canarinhos used a combination of their good form and Benfica's wastefulness to get a 1-1 result.

In the second half of the podcast, we look ahead to the Classico. What was once a healthy 4 point lead is now a two point lead making the Classico the game of the season. No ifs, ands, or buts, Benfica needs to come out with a positive result from the dragao, or risk losing the title to porto. Much as been said by the porto organization and their band of idiotic fans about Benfica this season, this is our chance to shut them up and show them why we deserve to win the championship. We have been better then them all season, and we will prove it. CARREGA BENFICA

thanks for listening

Please subscribe via Itunes, Stitcher Radio or RSS Feed.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [00:52:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (Loading)

In this week’s episode…

Benfica travelled to turkey to face Fenerbahce in the first leg of the Europa League semi, and were fortunate enough to come out with a 1-0 deficit. A Couple gambles by JJ, and a miscalculated game plan was perhaps the reason behind one of Benfica’s worst showings of the season. We discuss the option to use Aimar from the start, a static center forward, and some of the tactical aspects of the game.

In  our second recap, we turn our attention to the critical and decisive game in Madeira where Benfica faced Maritimo. An early goal followed by  an attack of narcolepsy, sent Benfica into the half tied at 1. It was a good thing JJ had some smelling salts in his gum packet, as the team came out of the locker room completely transfigured, and took control of the game. Benfica grabbed the go ahead goal, albeit an own goal, but entirely deserved as Benfica clears a major hurdle in its quest to the title.

In the second segment, Neil profiles Rodrigo. Did you know Rodrigo holds the record for the most goals scored by a player for Spain’s National Youth teams? Neil breaks it down.

In the final segment we look ahead to the second leg of the Europa League Semifinal this coming Thursday. Sure there was a lot of talk about the hell in Istanbul, but nothing will compare to what awaits the Turks at Estadio da Luz this Thursday. A packed house, perfect sync between the team and the fans, title within grasp, and Europa League final on the horizon will combine for an unforgettable night where the team will be elevated to new highs.

In our second preview, we look ahead to Monday’s game against Estoril, also at Estadio da Luz, where Benfica can clinch the championship, with a win, and a porto loss.

On one final note, we weigh in on Joao Gabriel’s presser. Benfica’s director of communication came forth this past Tuesday with clear cut proof that, despite the accusations, Benfica is not being favored by the officials, contrary to the team up north, who has had plenty of non-calls, and has yet to see a penalty called against them.  He also addresses the double standard by the media when handling Benfica.

Thanks for listening

Please subscribe via Itunes, Stitcher Radio , or RSS Feed

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (Loading)

In this week's episode...

We enlisted the help of old friend Eric Krakauer to breakdown the Derby. A Good showing by Sporting, who had the upper hand on a large part of the first half, but it was Benfica's individual talent, experience, and team chemistry that finished up the half up 1-0. In the second half JJ made a couple of adjustments, and they paid off as Benfica would get its second of the game on a master piece by Gaitan in which Lima put the deserved finishing touch.

In the second half of the podcast we do an extensive preview of the upcoming semifinalof Europa League first leg. Benfica will travel to Turkey to face Fenerbahce, Steve breaks down the Turkish team. From tactics, to formations, to key players we got you covered.

Lastly we preview this weekends game, where Benfica will travel to Madeira to face locals Maritimo. This is the second to last away game, and if we win this game we have a very good chance to be celebrating at the Marques at the end of he season.

Thanks for listening

please subscribe via Itunes, RSS feed or Stitcher radio

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [00:47:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (Loading)

In this week's Episode...

We get the podcast started by recapping the second Leg of the Europa League quarter finals against  Newcastle. After the 3-1 result in Lisbon, Benfica presented themselves in England at their usual level. A good solid first half, without compromising our identity kept the initial  Newcastle surge at bay. After surrendering a goal and going through some difficulties in the second half, Benfica closed out the game with an equalizer. A ballsy move by JJ, who while losing 1-0, decided to sub in Rodrigo and Cardozo, a move that would prove to be successful.

Continuing with the second legs, the Portuguese Cup was up next, as Benfica faced Pacos de Ferreira in one of the semifinals. A 2-0 lead was enough to maintain control and book our ticket to Jamor. Pacos who has been having the best year of the their history, held their own, and were even able to match up Cardozo's 29th goal of the season. 1-1 was the final score, in a game where both team's seem to have been saving themselves for other priorities, especially with the 2 goal advantage by Benfica.

In this week's player profile, Neil profiles Ola John. We reminisce about his early days at Benfica, his cost, the doubts we initially had, and what he currently means to this team.

In the final segment, we preview the Derby. 34 points separate us from Sporting, but Sporting, who is perhaps going through their best period of the season, will look to play spoilers to Benfica's title run.

thanks for listening, please subscribe via Itunes, RSS feed, or Stitcher radio

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (Loading)