World Soccer - UK (2020-10)

The second coming of Jesus

RUBEN DIAS

(Benfica)

The lynchpin of both Benfica

and Portugal’s defence, the

highly-rated centre-back can

expect to take his game to

the next level under the

guidance ofJorgeJesus.

WENDERSON GALENO

(Braga)

With Braga’s golden boy

Francisco Trincao sold to

Barcelona, the exceptionally

skilful Brazilian winger can

now take centre stage at

the ever-ascending club.

JOVANE CABRAL

(Sporting)

The thrilling form he showed

at the end of 2019-20 has

whetted the appetite for

more spectacular goals and

explosive moments from the

Cape Verdean-born winger.

I

t was a traumatic end of season

for Benfica. A disastrous run of

unprecedented proportions either

side of the pandemic-induced

interruption – just two victories in13

matches between February and the

end ofJune – saw the Lisbon giants

first limp out of Europe meekly,

then throw away the league title

to arch-rivals Porto. The miserable

campaign culminated in them also

losing the Portuguese Cup final to

the Dragons, despite playing against

ten men for almost an hour.

Something momentous was required

to assuage the ire of the Benfica fans

and president Luis Filipe Vieira, up

for re-election in October, knew it.

Benfica’s woes, Vieira’s need for a

trump card and the catastrophic

consequences of COVID-19 in Brazil

combined to wrenchJorgeJesus

from his highly-successful tenure

at Flamengo to return to the club

where he made his name.

A segment of Benfica’s fans strongly

opposed the reappointment of the

charismatic 66-year-old. He had

departed from the Estadio da Luz in

acrimonious circumstances in 2015,

sensationally signing for cross-town

rivals Sporting. But the vast majority of

Benfiquistaswelcomed back with open

arms the man who did more than any

other to restore the historical club to

the top domestically and make them

competitive in Europe. All while getting

the team playing an electrifying brand

of swashbuckling football true to its

attacking traditions.

In his first interview upon arriving

back in the Portuguese capital, coach

Jesus was more than happy to air his

characteristically high assessment

of his own capabilities. “We’re going

to crush the opposition,” he told

in-house channelBTV.“Wewantto

win everything, because I’m used to

winning everything. And we want to

win international trophies. I haven’t

come to Benfica for my retirement.

I’ve come to win.”

Easier said than done. Even during

Jesus’ six-year spell at Benfica, which

coincided with heavy investment in the

squad, Porto ended up champions of

Portugal three times. More recently, and

despite being hamstrung by crippling

Season preview2020-21

PORTUGAL PRIMEIRA LIGA

Bouncing back...Benfica

Returning...

JorgeJesus

PLAYERSTOWATCH