Oscar Cardozo fittingly scored the winning goal against Rio Ave, his 26th of the season. He was the top scorer in the Liga. His Argentinian compatriot Javier Saviola, a U20 World Cup sensation in 2001, chipped in with 11.
Benfica won back the trophy after 5 years after the club slipped in strength to FC Porto and Sporting Clube.
The midfield diamond boasts Angel Di Maria linked to Real (although he issued a denial) playing on the left, Brazilian international Ramires on the right, the very talented Pablo Aimar as playmaker sitting just behind the two strikers, Javi Garcia as holding midfielder.
Both Saviola and Garcia were signed in the summer of 2009 after Real Madrid deemed both surplus. Chalk them up as successes.
Undoubtedly, the strength of the Benfica team is their midfield. They have some impressive understudies in Ruben Amorim, Carlos Martins, and Airton. In attack, they have Brazil U20 striker, Alan Kardec groomed for the future.
The back line is anchored by Luisao, who regularly features with Inter’s Lucio, as Brazil’s preferred center back options. The Benfica back line has seen some reconfiguration with David Luiz at center back relocating to left back on occasion, Fabio Contreao who can normally plays at left back has shared duty with César Peixoto, while Maxi Pereira plays on the right.
If Jorge Jesus can hold onto this nucleus of players then the future lies bright for Portugal’s preeminent club to regain its dominance for a long time to come.