Benfica Upfront

The rule of 72

2011-08-01T07:09:00.002+01:00

The rule of 72 is a popular formula by which people -- usually investment professionals -- estimate the time required to double an investment based on expected returns. As a commerce major and investment industry enthusiast, the concept crossed my mind as I glanced over an index of professional Benfica footballers, which calculated the total number of players under contract at 72.Whether the

Benfica Upfront is back... but on Twitter

2009-09-27T01:37:00.003+01:00

For those of you who used to follow my blog here at www.benficaupfront.blogspot.com, I apologise for the prolonged absence. The time University takes up in my life inhibits me from running a quality blog and, seeing as I refuse to publish mediocrity, I will now be using Twitter to express my opinions. The style and honesty of my writing will remain the same; however I will be much more concise

Evidence

2008-11-03T01:23:00.004Z

Here's a small sample of evidence backing the preceding post.The funny thing is that, other than the two-footed challenge on Aimar (which resulted in a yellow card) and the Guimarães handball at the end of the clip (which didn't result in any card), none of these situations were actually called a foul. Not even the attempted assasination of Suazo, which is worth, at least, a five game suspension.

Criminal

2008-11-02T21:53:00.003Z

Absolute robbery is the only way I can describe the Benfica 2-1 Guimarães match I just witnessed. How more fucking obvious does it have to be before UEFA and FIFA start looking at these fucking criminals who have no other objective but to derail Benfica.If I were to list all the errant calls against Benfica and all the errant non-calls in Guimarães' favour, I would be here all night. What

The disadvantage of the advantage

2008-10-30T02:08:00.002Z

Following the 1-1 draw in Berlin against Hertha and the 2-1 victory over Naval, it is apparent that we have an unusual yet concerning problem after we take the lead in a match. Usually a problem like this stems from the coaching staff, but I don’t think this logic applies here.Although I do not completely agree with what Quique did in Germany (Binya starting?), it is evident that the Spaniard

The learning curve

2008-10-22T17:22:00.002+01:00

First and foremost, I just want to give my congratulations to the Penafiel staff and players for the excellent fairplay they demonstrated on Sunday. It's a breath of fresh air to see a team from Portugal come to the Luz and actually play attacking football, not waste time, and gracefully accept the defeat. It's unfortunate that there are virtually no teams in the first division with that type of

Undue influence

2008-10-10T07:10:00.000+01:00

Staying with the Leixões match, I forgot to mention just how sickened I was with the refereeing. I'm not trying to excuse Benfica's dismal performance in that game - we barely deserved the point we managed - but what Olegário Benquerença carried out was almost criminal. But don't trust me, judge for yourself:How the fuck can you not call a penalty on that handball? The video shows the referee

A dangerous ecstacy

2008-10-09T02:21:00.005+01:00

So it's been a while since I've posted (school got the better of me again), but there's been a hell of a lot happening around the club so lets get right to it.The first thing on the list to discuss is the flawless Thursday night us benfiquistas experienced last week. A conglomeration of many elements came together to create one of the most proud and memorable nights I have experienced since those

Arrogance and humility

2008-09-30T02:55:00.007+01:00

Before the opening whistle was blown in the Lisbon derby on Saturday, Benfica was already in the lead. In the lead because the classy Quique Flores took the correct and educated approach to the match - respecting the opposition and not guaranteeing anything - whilst his (untolerably) uneducated and classless counterpart, Paulo Bento, was responding to questions as if Sporting had already won.

Shameful

2008-09-26T16:57:00.002+01:00

Saying that the Apito Dourado match-fixing scandal has conditioned the officials in Portugal, FC Porto coach Jesualdo "Judas" Ferreira has begun spewing propaganda insisting that Benfica and Sporting have been benefiting from officiating.In reference to Benfica, Jesualdo stated that Luisão's elbow on an FC Porto player during the derby got him a suspension, but never got him sent off. He also

Seriously?

2008-09-25T19:29:00.006+01:00

Duarte Gomes has been named referee for the derby match against Sporting this Saturday in the Luz. Because a picture is worth a thousand words, here's a video from Memória Gloriosa which summarises what type of official this scumbag is. Note João Pinto's tackle which should have resulted in his second yellow (or direct red) and the "penalty" which is awarded to Jardel, amongst the barage of other

Stress

2008-09-25T03:02:00.000+01:00

If you're a neutral and happened to watch the Benfica versus Paços de Ferreira match on Monday, you witnessed an electrifying and exciting display of football. However, if you're a benfiquista like me, you probably had a severe stress headache following the game.Despite all the ups and downs in the 4-3 thriller, what really matters is the three points. Virtually as important is the apparent ease

Errors

2008-09-19T15:13:00.006+01:00

On the heels of our 3-2 defeat to Napoli in Italy, I'm more frustrated with our players than worried about our chances of eliminating the Italians. Yes, this Benfica team has been revamped and has minimal chemistry, but that doesn't excuse the individual lapses that have marred our season thus far.Following Katsouranis' horror show against Porto, it was Urreta, Luisão and Quim who compromised the

Benfica anglicised

2008-09-12T03:41:00.006+01:00

Lets face it, quality English articles on Benfica are hard to come by. Besides Planet Benfica (which provides everything you need to know about Benfica in English), Talking to the Doll (which is both informational and opinion based), and my blog (which is purely opinion-oriented), there aren't many accurate sources of information on our club in the English language. I was therefore surprised (and

Back in the loop

2008-09-11T01:51:00.000+01:00

Thanks to school and the distractions it brings along, it has been a while since I've expressed my opinions on the various occurrences that have surrounded our club recently. So, let’s get right to it.First, of course, is the match against Porto. The 1-1 tie is a poor result, but only materialized because a certain team (take a wild guess) scored from the penalty spot and played nearly half the

Points of interest, take II

2008-08-29T18:42:00.005+01:00

Recently there have been a few topics of interest which have been popping up in the ever-changing universe of Benfica, and I'd like to touch on some of them.First is the arrival of David Suazo. I'm not going to pretend like I've tracked him throughout his career or that he's a player that I always dreamed of having at the Luz, but following some research on the player I've become excited with the

Good luck

2008-08-28T05:53:00.005+01:00

Just a quick word of good luck to Nélson, who is off to Real Betis.When he arrived, I considered the recently departed Miguel the best right back in Europe. Coincidentally, I thought the same of Nélson after his first year here. It's unfortunate that following his break-out season he was incapable of recapturing that form. Injuries were the main culprit, but I'm sure being treated like shit by

How convenient

2008-08-27T07:09:00.001+01:00

The referee nominated to call the match against FC Porto this weekend is no other than Jorge Sousa, who is - conveniently - a supporter of his hometown team... FC Porto.Could this be the new way of influencing the outcomes of matches, since giving referees prostitutes and free vacations has given them a bad wrap?New tricks, same game.

Deja-vu

2008-08-25T19:23:00.002+01:00

Every year I always think to myself just how important it is for Benfica to get off to a good start. The reasons are obvious and remain every season, but this year it is (was) even more important. Following a sickening campaign last year, we need(ed) a solid start for confidence. Needless to say the draw against Rio Ave didn't fit the bill.Now, as I publish this via BlackBerry from where I'm

Unexpected development

2008-08-21T03:45:00.006+01:00

A lesson that every person on this planet will learn at some point in their life is that even the aspects we perceive to be certain and definite, change - and change drastically. These developments may be temporary or permanent, microscopical or substantial, and positive or negative. This concept of unquestionable truth applies in every aspect of life - including Benfica.I've criticized Angel Di

A new Benfica

2008-08-19T04:32:00.007+01:00

Despite the result, the 0-0 draw against Inter Milan in the Luz last week confirmed the progress Quique and co. have made thus far. Benfica played well against one of the best teams on the planet and were unlucky to walk away with the win. Actually, had it not been for the numerous substitutions made, we probably would have defeated the Italian champions.Nevertheless results do not matter in the

Different wavelengths

2008-08-14T02:57:00.003+01:00

With Di María away at the Olympics with Argentina, Benfica today announced that they have acquired the remaining 20% of his sporting rights for two million euros. In total, the 20-year-old Argentinean has cost the club eight million euros - which seems right considering the talent and potential he has - but seems somewhat wrong given his attitude.It's rare that I dislike a Benfica player -

Traditionally Benfica

2008-08-13T03:40:00.001+01:00

Gradually, Rui Costa's Benfica is starting to show shades of what a Benfica team should be. Not just because of the signing of José Antonio Reyes, the impressive performance against Feyenoord or the thousands of fans that show up at the daily training sessions. Rather, it's a promising combination of all of this which shows glimpses of what is traditionally Benfica.Usually I'm not a supporter of

The Nuno Assis effect

2008-08-08T18:26:00.010+01:00

During his presentation as a V. Guimarães player, Nuno Assis criticized Benfica's management saying that he was "walking in a drift" as he was told to wait while the coach decided whether he would be included in the squad for this year. When asked about Vitória's Champions League qualifiers, he said "we want to win, but even if they don't go as planned at least we play two games whilst others

Emotional Rollercoaster

2008-08-06T03:33:00.010+01:00

After the first three games of the pre-season, I - as were most benfiquistas - was uncharacteristically pessimistic about our prospects for this season, especially considering the start of official competition was still nearly a month away. A few days of relaxing, a couple of games, and the reported signing of a world-class winger later and the Benfica universe - as have I - has become rather