Europa League Final 2013 - Benfica 1-2 Chelsea

[bushman 2,043]

Well, this season is just about to end on Wednesday for Chelsea.

Not the greatest one but under so much turmoil again perhaps the club may win in Amsterdam ?

Nothing but much luck for the boys. So many games were played this year, it´s not even funny.

Kind of feel sad for JT. Once again, he will miss the final. Another blow in his illustrious career, I feel. Hopefully, next year, JT will be there to play & contribute in some final game.

Benfica won´t be a pushover, I feel. Although anything can happen, but I feel confident the team will win it.

Then, Rafa starts packing his bags & Roman goes shopping for a coach, players to challenge for trophies next year.

I am hoping Roman´s generosity won´t stop this summer & he buys 2-3 players to strengthen the squad.

[AndersonBLUE 819]

I'll sneak home from work on Wednesday to watch this, can't miss a final. Final bang to our season, hope we can bag it!

[Toli 977]

game will be really tough. we are tired and played so many games. also JT and hazard seem to miss the game. benfica after nearly losing the championship surely want to get this title and will fight 90 mins long. they have a really strong attack (gaitan, cardozo) and our defense looked shaky. hoping for azpi-ivan-luiz-cole in defense. cahill didnt look good against villa. a stable defense will be the main point to win this game.

[pachman40 357]

This is a really big game for them, but Benfica fans are treating UEL Final like we treat last year's game against Bayern in Munich.

They don't like blue in general, we knocked them out last year, Mourinho is highly connected with us and Porto and we bought two of their idols recently. If you ask any Benfica fan, they will say UEL is more important!

All I am saying is that they are pleased with the draw and they arent even trying hard to play, they are just letting the game pass. They wont be so unfocused on Wednesday...

EDIT: Well, they lost. That will do us wonders!

Been away for a couple of days so I'm just catching up reading the thread but I have to disagree with you Rmpr. While Benfica fans give the Europa League title a lot of respect and definitely want to win it, I would say the Porto game was by far more important to Benfica fans. Our rivalry with them is unbelievable and we had the opportunity to clinch the title in their stadium the same way they did in ours a couple of years ago. There is so much bad blood between us. We HATE Porto with a passion and wanted to ram the league trophy down their throats so bad. In the end, that game was absolutely devastating and demoralizing. You watch the reactions of the players and coaches at the end and you understand that this game meant more to them than the Chelsea game. My remote control was the closest its ever been to going through the TV.

Jorge Jesus made the mistake that game that so many coaches make in the same position. They went to Porto not to lose knowing a draw would pretty much hand them the title, and when you play like that you're bound to lose. That being said, the Europa League final is not a game where you leave anything in reserve, no reason to hold anything back now, much like Chelsea has no reason to hold back now since the top 4 is guaranteed. This is a game where both sides will be going out there to win and I think it could be an exciting offensive display that could go down as a classic.

While Benfica fans would've preferred celebrating the title in Porto's stadium, that doesn't mean this game Wednesday was far behind. It was right up there, and now it becomes THE BIG ONE.

To use a British phrase, we are absolutely gutted, and I hope we recover psychologically for Wednesday. It only makes sense to come out with a full strength offensive side to try to put a little confidence in the boys. If we leave either Lima or Cardozo on the bench and plug the midfield it will only signal timidness and fear and we'll be beaten before the game even starts. I look for a 4-4-2 from Jesus with Lima and Cardozo starting up front, Gaitan and Salvio on the flanks, Matic at holding mid, his partner in the pivot hopefully Enzo Perez but might not make it due to injury.

I understand that this trophy isn't the Champion's League, but its still a worthy competition and one that Portuguese fans respect. I hope Chelsea fans warm up to it because you'll see the pride and excitement the Chelsea players will play the game with and you'll see that its a meaningful game for them. 2 more days until this game, let's hope for a great one!

[Milan 17,959]

I just realized JT will miss his second European final in a row. He would not start probably but still, he must be devastated. Just imagine his luck - Moscow, missing out Munich due to a red card, missing out Amsterdam due to an injury.

[Madmax 9,219]

^ Munich was entirely his fault, I'll never sympathize with him for that.

[Jase 43,479]

http://hereisthecity.com/2013/05/13/mn-chelsea-till-death-fc-porto-starlet-reveals-affinity-for-euro/

Seems that Kelvin - the fella that scored the late winner against Benfica last Saturday - is a Chelsea fan!

[JVL 119]

Best referee we have in the Netherlands here. Made some good decisions last CL games. Happy with Björn.

[pachman40 357]

http://hereisthecity.com/2013/05/13/mn-chelsea-till-death-fc-porto-starlet-reveals-affinity-for-euro/

Seems that Kelvin - the fella that scored the late winner against Benfica last Saturday - is a Chelsea fan!

Ya those comments are making the rounds in Portugal, for me I don't care but a lot of people are pulling the nationalistic pride angle. If he's Chelsea at heart then good for him, he should cheer for them, but if he's simply going anti-Benfica and he has no previous allegiance to Chelsea then that's kind of a cunt thing to say.

[Yeboii 1,844]

http://hereisthecity.com/2013/05/13/mn-chelsea-till-death-fc-porto-starlet-reveals-affinity-for-euro/

Seems that Kelvin - the fella that scored the late winner against Benfica last Saturday - is a Chelsea fan!

Chelsea to pull a Lukaku on him? I hope so.

[Jase 43,479]

@F8Piraux

Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers will officiate Europa League final between Chelsea and Benfica at the Amsterdam ArenA. #CFC

never heard this referee...

He has officiated 1 game involving us before - our 2-2 group stage draw against Atletico Madrid in the 2009/10 CL season.

[pachman40 357]

@F8Piraux

Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers will officiate Europa League final between Chelsea and Benfica at the Amsterdam ArenA. #CFC

never heard this referee...

Benfica is 0-2 with him as a ref if that means anything. Lost to Liverpool in 2009-2010 CL and lost to to Napoli in the Europa league 2008-2009

[Milan 17,959]

Drogba: "I will watch the final at the Amsterdam Arena. I'll wear a jersey with the number 8 in honour of the blue my brother Lampard."

[Laylabelle 9,536]

The two finalists are two teams who got knocked out from the Champions league...eeeeek!!!!!!

Hope we can do this..failed at every other cup surley this time we can pull it off!

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

This Kelvin guy has 5 star skills on Fifa... maybe we should buy him

[Rmpr 8,977]

Been away for a couple of days so I'm just catching up reading the thread but I have to disagree with you Rmpr. While Benfica fans give the Europa League title a lot of respect and definitely want to win it, I would say the Porto game was by far more important to Benfica fans. Our rivalry with them is unbelievable and we had the opportunity to clinch the title in their stadium the same way they did in ours a couple of years ago. There is so much bad blood between us. We HATE Porto with a passion and wanted to ram the league trophy down their throats so bad. In the end, that game was absolutely devastating and demoralizing. You watch the reactions of the players and coaches at the end and you understand that this game meant more to them than the Chelsea game. My remote control was the closest its ever been to going through the TV.

Jorge Jesus made the mistake that game that so many coaches make in the same position. They went to Porto not to lose knowing a draw would pretty much hand them the title, and when you play like that you're bound to lose. That being said, the Europa League final is not a game where you leave anything in reserve, no reason to hold anything back now, much like Chelsea has no reason to hold back now since the top 4 is guaranteed. This is a game where both sides will be going out there to win and I think it could be an exciting offensive display that could go down as a classic.

While Benfica fans would've preferred celebrating the title in Porto's stadium, that doesn't mean this game Wednesday was far behind. It was right up there, and now it becomes THE BIG ONE.

To use a British phrase, we are absolutely gutted, and I hope we recover psychologically for Wednesday. It only makes sense to come out with a full strength offensive side to try to put a little confidence in the boys. If we leave either Lima or Cardozo on the bench and plug the midfield it will only signal timidness and fear and we'll be beaten before the game even starts. I look for a 4-4-2 from Jesus with Lima and Cardozo starting up front, Gaitan and Salvio on the flanks, Matic at holding mid, his partner in the pivot hopefully Enzo Perez but might not make it due to injury.

I understand that this trophy isn't the Champion's League, but its still a worthy competition and one that Portuguese fans respect. I hope Chelsea fans warm up to it because you'll see the pride and excitement the Chelsea players will play the game with and you'll see that its a meaningful game for them. 2 more days until this game, let's hope for a great one!

Mate, you sure you understood my post? You say you disagree with me but go on making arguments that fit exactly what I was saying!

Anyways, agree with everything!

[Buffalo talks Blue 85]

Time to shine and put the critics behind. KTBFFH!

[Stats 7,147]

Been away for a couple of days so I'm just catching up reading the thread but I have to disagree with you Rmpr. While Benfica fans give the Europa League title a lot of respect and definitely want to win it, I would say the Porto game was by far more important to Benfica fans. Our rivalry with them is unbelievable and we had the opportunity to clinch the title in their stadium the same way they did in ours a couple of years ago. There is so much bad blood between us. We HATE Porto with a passion and wanted to ram the league trophy down their throats so bad. In the end, that game was absolutely devastating and demoralizing. You watch the reactions of the players and coaches at the end and you understand that this game meant more to them than the Chelsea game. My remote control was the closest its ever been to going through the TV.

Jorge Jesus made the mistake that game that so many coaches make in the same position. They went to Porto not to lose knowing a draw would pretty much hand them the title, and when you play like that you're bound to lose. That being said, the Europa League final is not a game where you leave anything in reserve, no reason to hold anything back now, much like Chelsea has no reason to hold back now since the top 4 is guaranteed. This is a game where both sides will be going out there to win and I think it could be an exciting offensive display that could go down as a classic.

While Benfica fans would've preferred celebrating the title in Porto's stadium, that doesn't mean this game Wednesday was far behind. It was right up there, and now it becomes THE BIG ONE.

To use a British phrase, we are absolutely gutted, and I hope we recover psychologically for Wednesday. It only makes sense to come out with a full strength offensive side to try to put a little confidence in the boys. If we leave either Lima or Cardozo on the bench and plug the midfield it will only signal timidness and fear and we'll be beaten before the game even starts. I look for a 4-4-2 from Jesus with Lima and Cardozo starting up front, Gaitan and Salvio on the flanks, Matic at holding mid, his partner in the pivot hopefully Enzo Perez but might not make it due to injury.

I understand that this trophy isn't the Champion's League, but its still a worthy competition and one that Portuguese fans respect. I hope Chelsea fans warm up to it because you'll see the pride and excitement the Chelsea players will play the game with and you'll see that its a meaningful game for them. 2 more days until this game, let's hope for a great one!

Always had a soft spot for Benfica for some reason. Think it is to do with their offensive style of play. Could understand the devastation for fans and players but who knows. You have a game on the last day where you should win with ease while Porto going to Pacos is not easy. They occupy third spot and playing away from home hopefully there is another twist. If only Benfica beat Estoril at home... maybe it was nerves.

[dzord9 0]

if someone interested I have two tickets because I can't go. Please reply to my message If someone is ready to go!

[José Mateus 46]

Always had a soft spot for Benfica for some reason. Think it is to do with their offensive style of play. Could understand the devastation for fans and players but who knows. You have a game on the last day where you should win with ease while Porto going to Pacos is not easy. They occupy third spot and playing away from home hopefully there is another twist. If only Benfica beat Estoril at home... maybe it was nerves.

No chance. Paços have secured their historic 3rd place and will certainly let porto beat them easily. They are located closely geographically and the majority of Paços's supporters are also porto's...

We have lost every hope in winning this league and are really devastated... It seemed impossible 2 weeks ago and now it weights too much...

I think that our fans have lost interest in this game after what happened. Everybody is in a depression-like state when it comes to football these days.

I just hope it's a fun game and our boys honor their shirt. See you on weds