Confirmado: O Onze Titular do Benfica para Esmagar o Casa Pia (com Surpresas!)
Benfica Visits Casa Pia Looking for First Win in Liga Betclic
Match Overview
Imagine two soccer teams getting ready to play a big game. Benfica (one of Portugal’s most famous teams) is traveling to play Casa Pia in a stadium called Rio Maior. This is the second round of the Liga Betclic — that’s the name of Portugal’s top soccer league, kind of like the "Premier League" but for Portugal.
When: The game starts at 8:15 PM (20h15).
Where: Rio Maior stadium — a place where Benfica has had some tough times in recent years (think of it as a "haunted house" for them).
Goal: Benfica wants to chase away the bad memories ("ghosts") and grab their first victory of the new season after drawing (tying) their first game against Académico Viseu.
Why This Match Matters
- Benfica didn’t win their opening game — they tied 0-0. In soccer, a tie gives each team 1 point, but a win gives 3 points. They’re hungry for those 3 points!
- Casa Pia is playing at home (in Rio Maior), and home teams usually have an advantage — familiar field, supportive fans, no travel fatigue.
- This game closes Round 2 of the league, so it’s the last match of the weekend.
Team Lineups (The Starting 11)
In soccer, each team puts 11 players on the field at the start. Here’s who the coaches chose:
Casa Pia (Home Team) — Coach: Filipe Coelho
| Position | Player | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | André Gomes | The only player allowed to use hands — stops shots! |
| Defenders | André Geraldes (Captain), João Goulart, David Sousa, Abdu Conté | Protect the goal, stop opponents from scoring |
| Midfielders | Ofori, Seba Pérez, Gabi Pereira | The "engine" — run a lot, connect defense to attack |
| Forwards | Kevin Prieto, Rochinha, Henrique Araújo | Try to score goals! |
Captain: André Geraldes wears the armband — he’s the leader on the field.
Benfica (Visiting Team) — Coach: Marco Silva
| Position | Player | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Samuel Soares | Benfica’s shot-stopper for this game |
| Defenders | Alexander Bah, Tomás Araújo (Captain), Lenglet, Dahl | Strong back line — Lenglet is a famous defender from France! |
| Midfielders | Enzo Barrenechea, Leandro Barreiro | Control the middle of the field |
| Forwards | Rafa, Sudakov, Prestianni, Pavlidis | Four attackers! Very offensive lineup — they want goals |
Captain: Tomás Araújo leads Benfica tonight.
Bench Players (Substitutes)
These players start on the bench (sideline) and can come in later if someone gets tired, hurt, or the coach wants a tactical change. Think of them as "super subs" ready to jump in!
Casa Pia Substitutes (12 players)
- Daniel Azevedo, Ivan Mandic, Khaly, Raúl Blanco, Osundina, Selvi Clua, Alassana Jatta, Kaique Rocha, Abdu Dafé, Pedro Rosas, Cassiano, Clau Mendes
Benfica Substitutes (12 players)
- Trubin (goalkeeper), Lukebakio, Kaminski, Manu Silva, Richard Ríos, Schjelderup, Jhon Durán, Gabriel Índio, Banjaqui, José Neto, Anísio Cabral, Miguel Figueiredo
Fun Fact: Teams can make up to 5 substitutions during a game (usually in 3 separate moments).
How to Watch the Game Live
You can follow every kick, save, and goal live right here:
Casa Pia vs Benfica – Live Coverage
(Opens in a new tab — click "AQUI" on the original page)
Important Points to Remember
- Liga Betclic = Portugal’s top soccer division (20 teams play each other twice per season).
- Round 2 = Second weekend of games; each team has played 1 game so far.
- Rio Maior = Not Casa Pia’s usual home (they normally play in Lisbon), but they’re using this stadium this season.
- Benfica’s "ghosts" = They’ve lost or played poorly here recently — fans hope tonight breaks the curse!
- Lineups can change last-minute due to injuries or coach decisions.
Summary
Tonight, Benfica travels to Rio Maior to face Casa Pia in the second round of Liga Betclic. After a disappointing draw in their opener, Benfica fields a strong, attack-heavy lineup with four forwards — clearly hunting for their first win. Casa Pia, led by captain André Geraldes, will try to defend their home turf and maybe steal a surprise victory. The match kicks off at 8:15 PM, and you can watch it live via the link above. Will Benfica banish their Rio Maior ghosts? Let’s find out!
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is Liga Betclic?
It’s the top professional soccer league in Portugal. 18 teams play each other twice (home and away) from August to May. The winner becomes Portuguese Champion and qualifies for the Champions League (Europe’s biggest club tournament).
Why does Benfica have "ghosts" in Rio Maior?
In recent seasons, Benfica has struggled to win at this stadium — losing or drawing games they were expected to win. Fans and media call it a "cursed ground" or "haunted" for them. Tonight, they want to exorcise those ghosts with a victory.
What does "Captain (C)" mean?
The (C) stands for Captain. This player wears an armband and is the on-field leader — they talk to the referee, motivate teammates, and represent the team during the coin toss.
How many substitutes can a team use?
In modern soccer (including Liga Betclic), teams can make up to 5 substitutions during a match, but they must do it in no more than 3 stoppages (not counting halftime). This keeps the game flowing.
Who are Rafa, Sudakov, and Pavlidis?
They’re key attacking players for Benfica:
- Rafa (Rafa Silva) – Fast, skillful Portuguese winger.
- Sudakov (Georgiy Sudakov) – Young Ukrainian midfielder/forward, very talented.
- Pavlidis (Vangelis Pavlidis) – Greek striker signed this summer to score goals.
Having all three (plus Prestianni) means Benfica is going all-out for a win!