After being asked on Sunday, following Sporting’s 4-3 victory over Casa Pia, whether he would show the video of when he played for Benfica in 2014 and defeated Juventus in a European competition, Ruben Amorim fired up the fans ahead of the two teams’ upcoming Champions League quarter-final. Jorge Jesus, the then Benfica coach, opted to start Amorim in midfield alongside Enzo Perez in the decisive second leg of the Europa League semi-final. Amorim was a commanding presence, providing cover for the defence and thwarting Juventus’ attacking opportunities. For his stellar performance, he was awarded a rating of 8 out of 10 by Portuguese newspaper. According to the newspaper, “Amorim’s important and constant defensive coverage thwarted several Juventus attacks. He rarely ventured into the opposition half and was mostly there to counter the quick attacks that Juventus was capable of. Amorim’s sublime tackle on Vidal at the 42nd minute was a highlight of the match.” Benfica had previously won the first leg 2-1 at home, and they were hoping to qualify for the final at Juventus’ expense. However, they faced a stern challenge in Turin, where they needed to avoid defeat or draw by any score, other than a 1-0 loss, to make it through to the final. Despite playing with less than 11 men for almost a quarter of the game, after being reduced to nine men due to the expulsions of Enzo Perez in the 67th minute and Markovic in the 89th minute, Benfica managed to hold on for a goalless draw. Around two weeks later, Benfica returned to Turin to play the Europa League final against Sevilla, who had previously defeated FC Porto in the quarter-finals. Unfortunately, Benfica lost the match on penalties after it ended in a 0-0 draw after extra time. The match marked the second consecutive season where Benfica made it to the final of a European competition, only to finish as a runner-up. As the two teams prepare for their highly-anticipated encounter, it remains to be seen whether Ruben Amorim will use his personal experiences of beating Juventus in a similar scenario to try and give his team an upper hand. Regardless of the outcome, the clash between the two teams is sure to be highly competitive, with both sides hoping to advance to the Champions League semi-finals. It is worth noting that Benfica has been exceptional at home in European competitions, with only three European club sides managing to defeat Benfica in a European game in the Stadium of Light during the last decade. As for Sporting, they are enjoying another successful season, with Amorim leading them to the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga. They have not enjoyed much success in Europe recently, but the team seems to be brimming with confidence, and anything is possible in the Champions League. Overall, the upcoming quarter-final tie is sure to be full of intensity and intrigue, with both teams striving to secure a place in the semi-finals. While the memories of Ruben Amorim’s success against Juventus in 2014 will undoubtedly be a talking point in the buildup to the match, the current reality is that two talented teams will go head-to-head for a spot in the Champions League semi-finals.
