SL Benfica had a big win yesterday against FC Copenhagen.  Not only did Benfica win the game but most importantly Benfica gained the right to participate in the group phase of Champions League play.

Above all this was a gutsy win for Benfica.  Admittedly we had the luck factor on our side.  This game could have easily gone the other way.  Benfica could have started the game on the losing end.  FC Copenhagen had two, maybe three good chances to score, but luck was on our side and then we ended up scoring on our first time up field.  Considering all the adversity Benfica has had on the defensive end with all the injuries (Nelson also went out), we showed above all lots of courage in Denmark.

With this win Benfica, and Camacho, also gain time.  The time to transform this group of very talented young players into a team.  The talent seems to be there.  Di Maria, only 18 years old, and playing for the first time at such a high level showed lots of talent.  He could actually be the next “Simão”.  Di Maria had been sidelined with an injury so he is not nearly 100% percent, but he was very hard to stop on the one-on-one.  He could develop into a great player for Benfica.  The only thing I couldn´t really understand was why Camacho took so long to put in the third sub.  We have talented players on the bench and very tired players on the field.

This was our first glimpse of Benfica´s Camacho.  Lets see if we can follow thru in Portuguese league play.