Mário Saldanha Super Cup: Benfica and FC Porto face off in Coimbra | OneFootball

The derby between Benfica and FC Porto promises to fill the Mário Mexia Pavilion in Coimbra this Sunday (3:00 PM) for the celebration of the 40th edition of the Mário Saldanha Super Cup.

The Eagles, four-time national champions and leaders of the Betclic League, appear as favorites, but the Dragons – winners of the last two editions of the Portuguese Cup and current holders of the trophy – have the means to offer a strong challenge.

Benfica is aiming to win their 16th Super Cup, while the Invicta team is seeking their 9th, in a match expected to be intense with a fierce rivalry between the clubs.

In statements to the Portuguese Basketball Federation (FPB), Norberto Alves, Benfica's coach, highlighted the team's unity: “We are a collective team and we must remain true to that.”

Regarding the opponent, he emphasized the usual balance in the classic: “These games are always different and very contested. The teams are very balanced and FC Porto has strengthened recently.”

As for the objective, the coach of the Reds was clear: “This game has the characteristics of a final, a title is at stake, and we want to win it.”

Meanwhile, the Dragons' coach, Fernando Sá, showed full awareness of the trophy's importance and the duel's demands: “I expect to find two teams that truly want to fight for this trophy. I have no doubt it will be an extremely competitive, aggressive, and high-intensity game. I believe it will largely depend on who can maintain more stable emotional control.”

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