How so? Benfica’s pre-season rests in Sporting’s hands | OneFootball

Despite the win away to Estoril in the final round of the Liga Portugal Betclic, Benfica already know they will compete in the Europa League next season after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. However, the complications do not end there, and the Reds are dependent on Sporting.

With third place in the league confirmed, the club from Luz knows it will enter the Europa League in the second qualifying round, scheduled for 23 July, which would force the Reds to start the new season much earlier than usual. However, a win for the Lions could make all the difference for the Eagles.

The Alvalade club, who have qualified for the third qualifying round of the Champions League, still have the Portuguese Cup final to play against Torreense. If they win, the Lions would give up their direct entry into the Europa League earned through winning the trophy, and that place would automatically be passed on to the team that finished third in the league, in this case Benfica.

A victory for Rui Borges’ side at Jamor would mean Benfica go straight into the group stage of the competition, thus avoiding six demanding matches at the start of the season — second qualifying round, third qualifying round and playoffs — allowing the Eagles to begin the new campaign later and giving their players more time to rest.

Starting pre-season later could allow Benfica to have their internationals who took part in the World Cup available and, if that happens, give them more time to find a replacement in the event of José Mourinho’s departure. It should be noted that the club from Luz finished the league in third place with 80 points.

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