In fifteen matches against Sporting during Jorge Jesus’s time at Benfica, he had won ten, drawn four and lost just once.
Sporting reflected their fine pre-season form by starting confidently whereas Benfica looking a shadow of last season’s commanding champions.
Sporting looked solid at the back with Naldo and Paulo Oliveira in impressive form. Adrien controlled the midfield, whilst Carrillo, Bryan Ruiz and Téo Gutiérrez were incisive up front.
Slimani worked tirelessly whilst João Mário’s cultured control and movement were a joy to behold. When William Carvalho returns from injury – if he is not sold this summer – the Lions will have the makings of a formidable team.
Benfica, on the other hand, struggled to get a foothold in the match despite excellent individual displays from Samaris and the centre-back pairing of Jardel and Lisandro Lopez.
They had a poor pre-season which linked with the below par performance in the Super Cup will give new manager Rui Vitória a few sleepless nights. The Lions nearly edged ahead when Júlio César rushed off his line to prevent Costa Rican international Bryan Ruiz scoring.
They did have the ball in the net midway through the first-half through Téo Gutiérrez, but it was ruled out for offside, incorrectly as TV replays showed. At the other end the lively Jonas twice came close to giving Benfica the lead with headers. Sporting started the second-half in even more dominant mood. Gutiérrez headed an excellent chance wide from a superb Jefferson cross but minutes later the breakthrough came.
A speedy exchange of passes saw Carrillo open up space at the edge of the box, and his low shot deflected off Gutiérrez’s heal to wrong-foot Júlio César. The Eagles reacted well to the setback, at last putting some pressure on Sporting, and Jonas had the ball in the net in the 79th minute, but it was ruled out, correctly this time, for offside.
Sporting held on relatively easily to see out the game and a tremendous roar from the Sporting fans followed the final whistle. On this showing Jorge Jesus’s new charges will be challenging for the title in what should be an intriguing season.
“We were excellent defensively and tactically. We were the better side throughout the 90 minutes, scoring two goals with one wrongly ruled out for offside,” said Jorge Jesus post-match. “I’m very happy with how this team is playing after just five weeks of work. I saw immediately that Sporting have intelligent players. We were a little worried before this game because of our lack of experience – Benfica have played twelve finals in the last six years – but the players’ response was excellent.” He added, “In Portugal lately the trophies have been between Benfica and FC Porto, but from now on it will be a three-way fight.”