Casa Pia v Benfica: what’s happened since the last trip to Rio Maior | OneFootball

Benfica are getting ready to face Casa Pia in a match that marks the Eagles’ return to competition. In a clash of huge importance for the Reds, since the club from Luz has a golden opportunity to close the gap to Porto, José Mourinho’s side come up against an opponent that has been a real nightmare.

With less than 12 hours to go before kick-off, newspaper Record revisited the recent history of clashes between the Eagles and the Geese, something that brings back bad memories for Benfica fans. The last time Benfica played at Casa Pia’s ground was on 25 January 2025, coincidentally the last time the Eagles lost in the league. However, that defeat would end up causing a huge ‘earthquake’ at the club from Luz.

Following the 3-1 defeat, as the team left the venue in Campo Maior, the fans’ protests over the Eagles’ inconsistent form did not sit well with Bruno Lage, with the coach responding to Benfica supporters: "Help me and I’ll sort this s...". However, the episode did not end there, as it took on a new chapter in the garage of the Estádio da Luz.

"When we make three touches and lose the f... ball... (...). In the last five games we’ve conceded goals from set pieces where nobody f... jumps! How am I supposed to change that s...?", could be heard in the audio clips that circulated, in Bruno Lage’s voice. "If I have your support... Then another one comes here, then another and another, and he won’t be able to solve the f... problem either! I will! But it’s going to take time, f...! It’s going to take a little while. (...) If I go on the f... television like that... ‘Look, he’s already lost his cool, he’s already lost it, he’s exposing the player...’", more could be heard.

In this Liga Portugal Betclic season, there was yet another episode. This time, after the draw at the Luz, with refereeing - Hélder Carvalho is the man selected - that left a lot to be desired, Benfica general director Mário Branco was the centre of attention after making threats to the referee and the VAR official: "You can be sure I’m going to smash you to pieces, mark my words! I’m going to smash you and João Bento too! You’re worth f... all, neither you nor him! F****** clowns, it’s a disgrace, what they did to us here today was a disgrace". The Benfica official ended up receiving a suspension and a fine for his actions.

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