By defeating Benfica, in Luz, 78-87 (15-26, 14-23, 18-18, 31-20) in a match counting for the 13th round of the Betclic League, Sporting reinforced its second position in the championship, behind the eagles by one point, and broke the four-time national champions’ unbeaten record in the competition.
A sequence that went beyond this season and dated back to Game 3 of the 2024/25 play-off final, when the Reds were beaten by FC Porto (82-75) on June 13th. Two days before they resolved the title dispute 3-1.
There followed 33 (!) consecutive victories in Luz, including play-off matches. They went 843 days (2 years, 3 months and 20 days) without losing at home in the League. In other words, practically the entire 2023/24 and 2024/25 championships in full
But, this was also the end of Benfica’s incredible winning streak at home in the Betclic League, which began on October 11, 2023, when they were beaten by Oliveirense 73-74.
Since then, there have been 33(!) consecutive victories in Luz, including play-off matches. They went 843 days (2 years, 3 months and 20 days) without losing at home in the League. In other words, practically the entire 2023/24 championship and the entire 2024/25 championship make going to the Fidelidade Pavilion hell.
But, not knowing about some of these records, Luís Magalhães appeared at the press conference, together with assistants Sérgio Ramos and Ivan Kostourkov, above all satisfied with how Sporting had performed. More than for having imposed the first defeat on the opponent.
«We must have respect and consideration for the excellent journey that Benfica has made to date. This only enhances our victory.”
Asked to analyze the game and break the champion’s unbeaten record, Magalhães was quick to respond: «Starting with the final part, that doesn’t mean anything, breaking the unbeaten record», he began by saying.
«We must have respect and consideration for the excellent journey that Benfica has made to date. This only enhances our victory. But nothing is gained by breaking the invincibility. It was an excellent performance from Sporting.”
We defended very well, we prepared the game well, we opened shots for those who had to open, we closed shots for those who had to close.
«If you had access to the statistics, you will see that the time we were ahead was 39.23m, in 40m, and in the other few seconds we were tied. So it is a victory that suits Sporting well. We defended very well, we prepared the game well, we opened shots for those who had to open, we closed shots for those who had to close».
«The strategy created by us [salienta indicando os adjuntos que o ladeavam]because we are a technical team, it went well. We are to be congratulated for that… At the moment, Sporting is a real team and we are satisfied with the work we have done.”
«Of course, there is one or another player who performs better than another, but that has been the case throughout the season. There is always one that stands out and I take it for granted. I value the performance of the team, the members who are outside and come in and make their contribution, the people who are inside and who do what they have to do and when they leave they give strength to their colleagues. At the moment, Sporting is a real team and we are satisfied with the work we have done,” he responded in the first analysis.
&format=webp)
To the question whether the heavy defeat in Alvalade in the 1st round (66-103), to which the two teams did not give much importance, would not have been a push for Sporting to grow and this Saturday coming to Luz to take away Benfica’s unbeaten record once again devalued both one game and another in the season.
Some were nervous and thought we were worthless, but we always believe in the work we do. The team is all new, the players are practically all new and they were very well chosen. It took us a lot of work to choose this team.
«Some were nervous and thought we were worthless, but we always believe in the work we do. The team is all new, the players are practically all new and they were very well chosen. It took us a lot of work to choose this team. We work well, the players are excellent at working, I’m the one who gets the most tired, to be honest, I’m the one who gets the most tired…», he says.
«This game [Alvalade] it was a stumble. Everything went wrong and everything was fine with the other team. We continue to believe in our work. There was a colleague who said: ‘haven’t we changed anything? Everything went wrong and we didn’t change anything?’. No, we continue to do exactly the same thing. And we are the only team that managed to be in the 2nd phase of European competitions and that is why we have the most games in the entire League”, he highlights.
&format=webp)
In addition to the 50 percent shot at halftime in triples (11/22), which made a difference, he said that preparing for the game was very important. What did you prepare so that Benfica couldn’t put together its game and play in transition? What were the concerns? «Sergio [Ramos] it says. He’s responsible for the defense”, replies Magalhães while the former Portuguese international laughs.
«That was an important aspect. Benfica scores a lot of points in transition, creates a lot of outside shooting situations in transition and that was one of the concerns. Pressing on the rebound, but a lot of concern about not letting Benfica run and score points on the counterattack, as they did in the last period. I think we did that perfectly for three periods. In this sense, the team is to be congratulated.”
This week we trained many defensive recovery situations and it paid off because the players interpreted the instructions perfectly and allowed Benfica to play 5 against 5
«This is clearly a key to the game, which we trained. This week we trained many defensive recovery situations and it paid off because the players interpreted the instructions perfectly and allowed Benfica to play 5 against 5 and ensure that in the 1st half we had clear control of the match”, reinforces Ramos.
And the situation with defensive blocks, which was something that at the beginning of the season when Sporting often won games but had fewer rebounds, was there also this concern? Why does Benfica even have a team, unlike what happened this time, that really likes to play inside?
&format=webp)
Defensive rebound or… blocks? Our team has a trick”, replies Magalhães. «We have players who play 5th position, but we don’t have that 5th position that guarantees the table. We have to remedy it. We don’t cry about it.
«Defensive blocks with bounce or…? Our team has a trick”, replies Magalhães. «We have players who play 5th position, but we don’t have that 5th position that guarantees the table. We have to remedy it. We don’t cry about it, we continue to dedicate ourselves with our soul and heart and try to fill the hole that exists».
«We have managed to cover up, both in European games, where those tremendous big guys appear, and in the League. And we have managed to be better in other aspects, so that this, which is a bit decisive, is never such a big difference that it could undermine our possibility of victory».
Finally, Luís Magalhães was preparing to end the conference, when there was one more question to ask the coach of the green and whites. Did you know that, in addition to Benfica being undefeated in the league so far, they also haven’t lost at home in the League since October 2023?
“And who did you lose with?” asked Kostourkov? With Oliveirense.
«And that gives us more prizes to move us to 1st place», asked Magalhães. “Are there any prizes? Can you take a trip to see Nehemiah?” No, for that you will have to speak to the League’s sponsor…
