Benfica v FC Porto showdown heats up Betclic league's third round | OneFootball

And, in the third round, the first derby of the Betclic Championship takes place. Benfica and FC Porto face off today at 3 p.m. at the Eagles’ home ground. Although it is still an early stage of the competition, both sides recognize the importance of the match.

For Benfica coach Anders Hallberg, this is the ideal opportunity to confirm the progress of the team in red. “I can see in training and in the two matches we have already played [in the Championship] that the team has been improving day by day, so that is a good sign. We want to enjoy this game,” began the 40-year-old Swedish coach, while praising the opponent.

“The biggest challenge in this game is… the fact that FC Porto are a very good team. They compete in the Champions League and, recently, in the Iberian Super Cup they played very well both against Barcelona and in the relatively easy win over Bidasoa. That is why it is very important that we are prepared. It is a derby and we are very excited,” he concluded.

In the Porto side, Leonel Fernandes took on the role of spokesman for the team’s ambition. “A derby always has a different feel to it. We know these are key matches for our objective in the championship and, on top of that, it is against a long-standing rival. It is a privilege for any player to be in a match with this emotional weight, and I just try to enjoy it as much as possible,” said the 28-year-old Portuguese winger, looking at this Benfica renewal.

“We are up against a new Benfica and, for that reason, we have once again gone through the process of observing and analyzing the opponent in order to try to exploit some of the weaker points they may have. We believe we can come away from there victorious, but, like any derby, it is an open game. Teamwork and intensity are fundamental pillars if we are to leave there with the three points,” he concluded.

For now, Benfica, Sporting and Marítimo are the only teams with two wins. FC Porto won the only match they have played, with the second-round fixture against ABC still pending, scheduled for the 30th. Sporting only take to the field tomorrow, at 4 p.m., away at ABC.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.