Benfica seeking to spoil party

By Rui Matos Pereira

Sunday's game between FC Porto and SL Benfica marks the Lisbon side's final visit to the Antas stadium. However, while there may be a moment of reflection for some supporters before kick-off, this match is one that both sides will be desperate to win.

New stadium
With the Dragão stadium, which will host the opening game of UEFA EURO 2004™ on 12 June next year, due to be inaugurated in November 2003, Benfica will be the last big Lisbon club to visit the Antas stadium, which has been Porto's home for 51 years.

Unceremonious thrashing
Benfica will be eager to avoid the fate of their local rivals, Sporting Clube de Portugal, who received an unceremonious 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Porto - still smarting from their 1-0 defeat against AC Milan in the UEFA Super Cup - in their last game at the Antas on 2 September.

Famous night
The Antas was the venue for one of Porto's most famous victories, a 1-0 win against AFC Ajax on 13 January 1988, which saw the Portuguese side triumph in the Super Cup, having won the European Champion Clubs' Cup with a 2-1 win against FC Bayern München in Vienna on 27 May 1987.

Benfica dream
Arguably, the side who need a win most on Sunday are Benfica. After conceding two late goals to draw 3-3 with Lisbon neighbours CF Os Belenenses in their last SuperLiga game, José Antonio Camacho's side slipped to tenth in the table, five points adrift of second-placed Porto.

Perfect opportunity
Having not won at the Antas for 12 seasons, it would be the perfect opportunity for Benfica to shine, and a massive confidence boost ahead of their opening UEFA Cup fixture against Belgium's RAA Louvièroise next week.

Long wait
After losing out against S.S. Lazio in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, a good UEFA Cup run would be some consolation for Benfica who have been off the pace in the Portuguese title race since they last took the crown at the end of the 1993/94 season.

Inspired form
Winger Simão Sabrosa will return to the team along with the Brazilian Geovanni, as Benfica aim to claw back some ground on Porto, who in turn will be hoping to see inspirational playmaker Deco reproduce some of the form that helped his side win last season's UEFA Cup. Porto will be without Benny McCarthy who is serving the last game of a two match ban for elbowing Sporting's Beto in aerial challenge.

Marítimo top
Second in the table, José Mourinho's side have not been at their best in their first few league games, and trail CS Marítimo who have won all four games so far. A 1-1 draw in their opening Champions League game at FK Partizan should have given them some confidence, but what they need is a result.

Anniversary blues
Both teams will be hoping that, as well as marking a small piece of history for Porto, the match can be a major turning point in their current campaigns. Porto would love to finish the match with Benfica floundering in their wake, while their visitors would love to make the final match against a Lisbon rival at the Antas a landmark that Porto would prefer to forget.