THE Benfica travels, on Monday night, to Rio Maior to face Casa Pia, in a match on the 2nd round of the I League. After a false start in the new edition of the national championship, with a home draw against Académico de Viseu, Marco Silva’s eagles are trying to obtain their first victory under penalty of seeing FC Porto flee, even further, and fall behind Sporting, who triumphed after also allowing a draw in the first round.
On the other side is a changing Casa Pia, currently led by Filipe Coelho. The Geese team ended last season in great suffering, clinging to stay in the I League only through the playoff, but the start of the new season was not the best, with a defeat recorded in the visit to newly promoted Marítimo.
Therefore, both Casa Pia and Benfica intend to go in search of their first victory in this championship, and their history is categorical regarding the difficulties that await the visitors. In the last two visits to Rio Maior, Benfica drew (in April 2026) and lost (January 2025).
The kick-off for this match is scheduled for 8:15 pm, with João Pinheiro being the referee appointed to be in Rio Maior. The AF Braga referee will have Luciano Maia and Hugo Marques as assistants and Gonçalo Neves in the role of fourth referee. The video referee (VAR) will be Rui Costa and the assistant (AVAR) Tiago Leandro.
Follow, later, the essence of the Casa Pia-Benfica incidents in Sport at the Minute.
Coaches in direct speech
Filipe Coelho
Opponent’s moment: “Benfica’s weaknesses are few. It’s not because they haven’t achieved victories in the last few games that our feeling will change. They are a very strong team, with a lot of arguments, that likes to pressure the opponent. The preparation was the same, as it depends a lot on us. We will have to pay close attention to the strengths that Benfica will demonstrate. There may be even more pressure, having started the championship with a point. They want to reach the top quickly and they won’t be able to make things easier.”
Objective: “We will want to divide the game. It will be difficult to have periods with possession of the ball, but we will try to do so. We will not lower lines and defend in a low block. We know that the opponent will make life more difficult for us, but I believe in the squad’s ability to respond and the level of learning. The fact that we overcome the mistakes we made in Madeira is a clear sign that we will be better. Now, whether it will be enough, we don’t know, but the sensations are very good.”
Marco Silva
Benfica takes three games without beating Casa Pia: “When some results accumulate against some opponents, it attracts more attention. But all games will have to be mandatory attention. It is very important not to lose points. It’s almost like finals. We can’t approach them any other way, regardless of the results of recent seasons. The past will not come into play”.
Praised for the communicational side: “”I want to be a good coach for Benfica. And to be that, I have to do my best every day so that Benfica is stronger. It will always be my priority. When I talk to you, I try to be as transparent as possible. My goal is to defend the club and the players and speak to our fans and members. Having been at Benfica for seven weeks, they use it the way they understand… The objective is to be as clear as possible with you and our fans. It’s the great weapon that this space gives us. Nothing more. I’m not going to make comparisons with anyone. I try to analyze coldly and give my opinion to each question they ask me. In short, I want to be a good coach for Benfica.”
Last games
Casa Pia: D
Benfica: DVVEE
Last eleven
Casa Pia: André Gomes, André Geraldes, João Goulart, David Sousa, Abdu Conté, Lawrence Ofori, Sebastián Pérez, Gabi Pereira, Korede Osundina, Henrique Araújo, Rochinha
Benfica: Samuel Soares, Amar Dedić, Manu Silva, Clément Lenglet, José Neto, Richard Ríos, Enzo Barrenechea, Dodi Lukebakio, Georgiy Sudakov, Andreas Schjelderup, Jhon Durán
Absent
Casa Pia: Jérémy Livolant (under disciplinary authority), Patrick Sequeira (outgoing)
Benfica: Amar Dedic (out), Fredrik Aursnes, Umeh (injured)
