Sure, let’s dive into the world of Newcastle United and Benfica — two teams with a bit of history that makes their upcoming clash at St James’ Park pretty intriguing.
So, here we are, on the cusp of what could be a thrilling Champions League showdown. Newcastle is gearing up to chase their second consecutive victory in this prestigious tournament. Believe it or not, the last time they experienced this kind of back-to-back success was over twenty years ago — all the way back in the 2002-03 season. They managed to triumph over Bayer Leverkusen both home and away back then. Now, after their dazzling win against Union St. Gilloise, they’re looking to replicate that feat against Benfica, guided by none other than Jose Mourinho.
Let’s not forget, Mourinho is no stranger to intense matchups; he’s made quite a name for himself managing top clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham. When you throw these two teams into the mix, you’ve got an interesting narrative brewing, especially with Newcastle keen to assert dominance after their last foray into the Champions League arena.
Now, speaking of meetings, how have these teams fared against each other? Well, it’s not too extensive. They’ve only met twice competitively before.
In their last encounters during the quarter-finals of the 2012-13 Europa League, things didn’t quite go Newcastle’s way. They had their hopes high but ended up losing 3-1 in Lisbon. Papiss Cisse had gotten the Magpies off to a soaring start with an early goal, but Benfica wasn’t having any of it. Just 13 minutes later, Rodrygo leveled the score, and unfortunately for Newcastle fans, that was just the beginning of their woes, as they conceded twice in the second half.
When the two sides met again at St James’ Park, it was a nail-biter. Cisse struck again, this time in the 75th minute, putting Newcastle ahead. But just as it seemed they were on track to even things up on aggregate, Eduardo Salvio snatched a last-minute goal, resulting in a 1-1 draw that sent Benfica through to the next round.
Fast forward a bit, and the teams faced off again in a friendly in July 2022, during the Eusebio Cup. That encounter ended with Benfica taking the win once more, this time by a scoreline of 3-2. It was a high-scoring game, with a first half that showcased four goals: Goncalo Ramos and Alejandro Grimaldo got Benfica on the board, only to be countered by Miguel Almiron’s brace for Newcastle. But Henrique Araujo’s late effort sealed the deal for Benfica under Roger Schmidt’s watchful eye.
Now, bringing it back to the present with Mourinho at the helm for Benfica, it’ll be interesting to see if Newcastle can finally break that historical dry spell against him. Fun fact: Mourinho’s had a bit of struggle at St James’ Park; he’s lost five of his last twelve visits there (W3, D4, L5). Will the Magpies capitalize on that?
As we gear up for this anticipated match on Tuesday, anticipation is palpable. Will the Magpies finally earn their first win against Benfica, or will Mourinho’s experience shine through? Whatever the outcome, it’s bound to be an exciting clash, and who doesn’t love a bit of football drama?
So, grab your popcorn and settle in — this one’s not to be missed!
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