For Benfica, today's game was all about capping a season that saw them win the Liga Zon Sagres title for a 33RD time, a Taca De Liga, and they almost won the Europa League title if it wasn't for the referee's. So, it's safe to say that the team wanted to cap off a very long season that saw Benfica play more games this season than any other Portuguese league team with a win in the Taca De Portugal which was being held at it's usual grounds at Estadio Nacional in Oeiras, Portugal. Benfica was facing a familiar foe as they were going up against Rio Ave for the fourth time this season which included a win over the team in the Taca De Liga a couple of weeks ago. Rio Ave were looking to upset the Portuguese giants and maybe gain some revenge by handing Benfica a second straight loss, but I have to say that goalkeeper Jan Oblak was up to the task today. He just may be the best goalkeeper the team has. Two of the suspended players from the Europa League match were in the lineup including Enzo Pérez.
Benfica were playing with a sense of urgency in the beginning of the game as the team created some dangerous chances in the beginning of the match. It wouldn't take very long for Benfica to get on the scoreboard in the 20TH minute. Benfica were driving the ball towards the box when Perez would pass the ball to Nicolás Gaitán to what looked like was going to be a give and go, but Perez would get tripped up. So, Nicolás Gaitán decided to take a shot at the goal from outside the box and he didn't miss as he scored what would be the lone goal of the game. As the game progressed, it looked as if fatigue was starting to set in for Benfica because the chances for Rio Ave started to multiply, but as I said before Jan Oblak played one of the most spectacular games I have seen the young goalkeeper play all season long. In the end, that was all it would take as Benfica claimed their 25TH Taca De Portugal trophy which is still better than any other team in Portugal. There are still questions remaining as far as what the offseason will bring for Benfica like will Jorge Jesus remain the coach of Benfica or will he be lured away to a team with the capabilities of paying more money for his services? For Rio Ave, they have a chance in next season's Europa League just because of the fact that they made it to the finals of the Taca De Portugal. All I know is some of the Benfica players get a much needed rest until some have to report for World Cup duties.
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