2011–12 S.L. Benfica season

Benfica
2011–12 season
PresidentLuís Filipe Vieira
Head coachJorge Jesus
StadiumEstádio da Luz
Primeira Liga2nd
Taça de PortugalFifth round
Taça da LigaWinners
UEFA Champions LeagueQuarter-finals
Top goalscorerLeague: Óscar Cardozo (20)
All: Óscar Cardozo (28)
Highest home attendance63,822 v Manchester United
(14 September 2011)
Lowest home attendance14,453 v Santa Clara
(18 January 2012)
Average home league attendance42,530[1]
Biggest winUnião de Leiria 0–4 Benfica
(8 January 2012)
Benfica 5–1 Rio Ave
(16 December 2011)
Biggest defeat1 goal difference in 7 matches

The 2011–12 season was Sport Lisboa e Benfica's 108th season in existence and the club's 78th consecutive season in the top flight of Portuguese football. It involved Benfica competing in the Primeira Liga, Taça de Portugal, Taça da Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Benfica qualified for the Champions League by finishing second in the previous Primeira Liga.

In Jesus' third season at the helm of the club, he tried to implement a more balanced system, with Axel Witsel replacing Pablo Aimar as a more central midfielder, with Aimar pushed as to second striker role, to give more defensive support than Javier Saviola. Nicolás Gaitán was moved to the right, with Bruno César and Nolito alternating on the left. Rodrigo eventually gained his space in the starting eleven, replacing Aimar.[2][3][4]

This season, Benfica placed first in their UEFA Champions League group, later reaching the competition's quarter-finals, and won their fourth Taça da Liga by defeating Gil Vicente.[5][6][7]

Competitions

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

Pre-season

9 July 2011 (2011-07-09) Friendly Benfica 9–1 Fribourg Regional Team Fribourg, Switzerland
19:45 CET (UTC+01) Cardozo 15', 21', 30', 43'
Saviola 39' (pen.)
Gaitán 41'
Nolito 51'
Rodrigo 58'
Vítor 71'		 Report Stadium: Stade Universitaire Saint-Léonard
Referee: Stephan Klossner
10 July 2011 (2011-07-10) Friendly Servette 1–1 Benfica Geneva, Switzerland
19:45 CET (UTC+01) Vitkieviez 25' Report Gaitán 11' Stadium: Stade de Genève
Attendance: 12,699
12 July 2011 (2011-07-12) Friendly Dijon 2–1 Benfica Nyon, Switzerland
19:30 CET (UTC+01) Cacérès 40'
Courgnaud 72'		 Report Urretavizcaya 90+1' Stadium: Centre sportif de Colovray Nyon
Referee: Ludovic Gremaud
15 July 2011 (2011-07-15) Guadiana Trophy Benfica 3–1 Paris Saint-Germain Faro, Portugal
20:45 CET (UTC+01) Cardozo 11'
Jara 89'
Saviola 89'		 Report Nenê 14' Stadium: Estádio do Algarve
Referee: João Ferreira
17 July 2011 (2011-07-17) Guadiana Trophy Benfica 2–2 Anderlecht Faro, Portugal
20:45 CET (UTC+01) Saviola 16'
Urretavizcaya 58'		 Report Lukaku 27'
Suárez 45+1'		 Stadium: Estádio do Algarve
Referee: Duarte Gomes
20 July 2011 (2011-07-20) Friendly Benfica 1–0 Toulouse Lisbon, Portugal
19:00 CET (UTC+01) Jardel 88' Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 33,416
Referee: Hugo Miguel
6 August 2011 Eusébio Cup Benfica 2–1 Arsenal Lisbon, Portugal
19:00 WEST (UTC+01:00) Aimar 50'
Nolito 60'		 Report Van Persie 34' Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 40,833
Referee: Duarte Gomes

Primeira Liga

Main article: 2011–12 Primeira Liga

League table

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Porto (C) 30 23 6 1 69 19 +50 75 Qualification to Champions League group stage
2 Benfica 30 21 6 3 66 27 +39 69
3 Braga 30 19 5 6 59 29 +30 62 Qualification to Champions League play-off round
4 Sporting CP 30 18 5 7 47 26 +21 59 Qualification to Europa League play-off round
5 Marítimo 30 14 8 8 41 38 +3 50 Qualification to Europa League third qualifying round
Source: LPFP (in Portuguese)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head away goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Matches won; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off.
(Note: LPFP decided that only criteria 1, 5, 6 and 7 would be applied to establish the classification during the competition.)[8]
(C) Champions

Results by round

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930
GroundAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA
ResultDWWWWDWWWDWWWWWWWWLDLWWDWLWDWW
Position432222222222211111112223222222
Source: ForaDeJogo.net
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

12 August 2011 1 Gil Vicente 2–2 Benfica Barcelos
20:45 CET (UTC+01) Vieira 37' Yellow card 77'
Laionel 74'
Vilela Yellow card 76'		 Report Nolito 7'
Saviola 20'		 Stadium: Estádio Cidade de Barcelos
Attendance: 12,008
Referee: João Ferreira
20 August 2011 2 Benfica 3–1 Feirense Lisbon
20:45 CET (UTC+01) Nolito 14'
Cardozo 75'
Bruno César 90+1'
Saviola Yellow card 90+3'		 Report Cunha Yellow card 46'
Rabiola 53'
Luciano Yellow card 61'
Sténio Yellow card 70'
Ludovic Yellow card 83'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 35,856
Referee: Hugo Pacheco
29 August 2011 3 Nacional 0–2 Benfica Funchal
21:45 CET (UTC+01) Aurélio Yellow card 49' Yellow-red card 62'
Danielson Yellow card 52'
Lopes Yellow card 67'
Costa Yellow card 78'		 Report Cardozo 22' Yellow card 41'
Emerson Yellow card 54'
García Yellow card 60'
Bruno César 90+4'		 Stadium: Estádio da Madeira
Attendance: 3,257
Referee: Artur Soares Dias
10 September 2011 4 Benfica 2–1 Vitória de Guimarães Lisbon
19:30 CET (UTC+01) Cardozo 33' (pen.), 45' (pen.)
Garay Yellow card 69'
Emerson Yellow card 84'
Pereira Yellow card 88'
Artur Yellow card 90'		 Report Alex Yellow card 20'
João Paulo Yellow card 35'
El Adoua Yellow card 38'
Teles Yellow card 43'
N'Diaye Yellow card 45'
Silva 63'
Alves Yellow card 80'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 38,917
Referee: Vasco Santos
18 September 2011 5 Benfica 4–1 Académica de Coimbra Lisbon
21:15 CET (UTC+01) Bruno César Yellow card 9' 26'
Nolito 42', 90+1' Yellow card 74'
Pereira Yellow card 77'
Aimar 82'		 Report Sow Yellow card 7'
Danilo 40'
Adrien Yellow card 64'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 32,191
Referee: Vasco Santos
23 September 2011 6 Porto 2–2 Benfica Porto
21:15 CET (UTC+01) Otamendi Yellow card 9' 51'
Kléber 37' Yellow card 77'
Fucile Yellow card 43'
Pereira Yellow card 57'
Fernando Yellow card 78'
Moutinho Yellow card 90+1'		 Report Luisão Yellow card 40'
García Yellow card 40'
Cardozo Yellow card 43' 47'
Gaitán 82'
Bruno César Yellow card 89'		 Stadium: Estádio do Dragão
Attendance: 49,511
Referee: Jorge Sousa
1 October 2011 7 Benfica 4–1 Paços de Ferreira Lisbon
21:30 CET (UTC+01) Saviola 22', 43'
Matić Yellow card 45+1'
Luisão Yellow card 51' 65'
Gaitán Yellow card 52'
Nolito 66' Yellow card 88'		 Report Melgarejo Yellow card 8'
Michel 51' (pen.)
Josué Yellow card 54'
Luisinho Yellow card 68'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 33,467
Referee: Bruno Esteves
22 October 2011 8 Beira-Mar 0–1 Benfica Aveiro
21:15 CET (UTC+01) Joãozinho Yellow card 13'
Coelho Yellow card 49'
Tavares Yellow card 70'
Moreira Yellow card 70'		 Report Bruno César Yellow card 11'
Cardozo 42'
Saviola Yellow card 45+1'
Matić Yellow card 59'
Amorim Yellow card 71'		 Stadium: Estádio Municipal de Aveiro
Attendance: 17,845
Referee: Paulo Baptista
29 October 2011 9 Benfica 2–1 Olhanense Lisbon
21:30 CET (UTC+01) Rodrigo 1', 13'
Luisão Yellow card 52'		 Report Eduardo 48'
Djalmir Yellow card 77'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 35,319
Referee: Marco Ferreira
6 November 2011 10 Braga 1–1 Benfica Braga
19:00 CET (UTC+01) Mahamat Yellow card 7'
Lima 45' (pen.)
Viana Yellow card 60'
Mossoró Yellow card 72'
Alan Yellow card 79'		 Report Emerson Yellow card 45'
García Yellow card 55'
Rodrigo 73'
Garay Yellow card 76'
Amorim Yellow card 82'		 Stadium: Estádio Municipal de Braga
Attendance: 18,688
Referee: Pedro Proença
26 November 2011 11 Benfica 1–0 Sporting CP Lisbon
21:15 CET (UTC+01) García 42'
Aimar Yellow card 45+2'
Cardozo Yellow card 48' Yellow-red card 63'		 Report Elias Yellow card 2'
Carriço Yellow card 21'
Van Wolfswinkel Yellow card 48'
Carrillo Yellow card 81'
Santos Yellow card 84'
Schaars Yellow card 87'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 63,146
Referee: João Capela
11 December 2011 12 Marítimo 0–1 Benfica Funchal
21:15 CET (UTC+01) Roberto Yellow card 39'
Miranda Yellow card 40'
Olberdam Yellow card 42' Yellow-red card 47'		 Report García Yellow card 29'
Emerson Yellow card 40'
Aimar Yellow card 50'
Pereira Yellow card 63'
Cardozo 85'
Jardel Yellow card 90+2'		 Stadium: Estádio dos Barreiros
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Jorge Sousa
16 December 2011 13 Benfica 5–1 Rio Ave Lisbon
21:15 CET (UTC+01) Pereira Yellow card 22'
Cardozo 34' (pen.)
Nolito 36', 72'
Saviola 45'
Garay 48'
Witsel Yellow card 64'		 Report Bruno China Yellow card 9'
Atsu 25'
Éder Yellow card 33'
Kelvin Yellow card 77'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 33,996
Referee: Bruno Esteves
8 January 2012 14 União de Leiria 0–4 Benfica Marinha Grande
19:15 CET (UTC+01) Djaniny Yellow card 25' Report Bruno César 10'
Cardozo 48'
García Yellow card 62'
Rodrigo 73', 76'
Luisão Yellow card 87'		 Stadium: Municipal da Marinha Grande
Attendance: 8,378
Referee: Cosme Machado
14 January 2012 15 Benfica 4–1 Vitória de Setúbal Lisbon
19:30 CET (UTC+01) Nolito 24'
Cardozo 33', 45' Yellow card 39' Yellow-red card 85'
Matić 73'		 Report Neca 6'
Silva Yellow card 39'
Santos Yellow card 39'
Tengarrinha Yellow card 53'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 56,155
Referee: Hélder Malheiro
22 January 2012 16 Benfica 3–1 Gil Vicente Lisbon
21:15 CET (UTC+01) Cardozo 27'
Rodrigo 72' Yellow card 88'
Aimar 74'		 Report Galo 40'
Daniel Yellow card 53'
Cunha Yellow card 71'
Luís Manuel Yellow card 71'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 45,214
Referee: Marco Ferreira
28 January 2012 17 Feirense 1–2 Benfica Santa Maria da Feira
21:30 CET (UTC+01) De Freitas Yellow card 6'
Varela 50' Yellow card 72'
Ludovic Yellow card 72'		 Report García Yellow card 36'
Varela 54' (o.g.)
Artur Yellow card 57'
Cardozo 73' (pen.)
Pereira Yellow card 82'		 Stadium: Estádio Marcolino de Castro
Attendance: 3,622
Referee: Rui Costa
11 February 2012 18 Benfica 4–1 Nacional Lisbon
21:30 CET (UTC+01) Garay 9'
Cardozo 21'
Rodrigo 39', 61'
Witsel Yellow card 51'		 Report Todorović Yellow card 15'
Claudemir 29' (pen.) Yellow card 58'
Barcelos Yellow card 65'
Neto Yellow card 78'
Danielson Yellow card 81'
Candeias Yellow card 85'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 53,238
Referee: Jorge Sousa
20 February 2012 19 Vitória de Guimarães 1–0 Benfica Guimarães
21:15 CET (UTC+01) João Paulo Yellow card 26'
Toscano Yellow card 32' 37'
Alves Yellow card 78'		 Report Pereira Yellow card 19'
Matić Yellow card 36'
Aimar Yellow card 67'
Witsel Yellow card 71'
Luisão Yellow card 76'		 Stadium: Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
Attendance: 19,052
Referee: Carlos Xistra
25 February 2012 20 Académica de Coimbra 0–0 Benfica Coimbra
21:15 CET (UTC+01) Diogo Yellow card 36'
Ferreira Yellow card 64'
Cédric Yellow card 82'
Adrien Yellow card 90+1'
Peiser Yellow card 90+7'		 Report Matić Yellow card 45+1'
Pereira Yellow card 60'
Nolito Yellow card 90+7'		 Stadium: Estádio Cidade de Coimbra
Attendance: 14,011
Referee: Hugo Miguel
2 March 2012 21 Benfica 2–3 Porto Lisbon
21:15 CET (UTC+01) Cardozo 42', 48' Yellow card 45+1'
Emerson Yellow card 63' Yellow-red card 77'
M. Pereira Yellow card 90+4'		 Report Hulk 7' Yellow card 90+2'
Rolando Yellow card 21'
Á. Pereira Yellow card 24'
Djalma Yellow card 29'
Rodríguez 64'
Maicon 87'
Helton Yellow card 90+1'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 58,222
Referee: Pedro Proença
11 March 2012 22 Paços de Ferreira 1–2 Benfica Paços de Ferreira
19:15 CET (UTC+01) Michel Yellow card 22' Yellow-red card 76' 28'
Luíz Carlos Yellow card 67'
Ricardo Red card 89'		 Report García Yellow card 10'
Bruno César Yellow card 42' 68'
Luisão Yellow card 49'
Gaitán 63'
Oliveira Yellow card 83'
Pereira Yellow card 85'
Artur Yellow card 90+2'		 Stadium: Estádio da Mata Real
Attendance: 4,528
Referee: Bruno Esteves
16 March 2012 23 Benfica 3–1 Beira-Mar Lisbon
22:15 CET (UTC+01) Cardozo 26', 48'
Gaitán 44'
Bruno César Yellow card 61'
Witsel Yellow card 88'		 Report Cássio Yellow card 90+1' Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 33,986
Referee: Manuel Mota
23 March 2012 24 Olhanense 0–0 Benfica Olhão
21:45 CET (UTC+01) Agra Yellow card 32'
Maurício Yellow card 64'
Toy Yellow card 81'
Vinha Yellow card 83'
Meza Yellow card 89'		 Report Emerson Yellow card 32'
Aimar Red card 63'
Jardel Yellow card 64'
Oliveira Yellow card 90+5'		 Stadium: Estádio José Arcanjo
Attendance: 4,842
Referee: João Capela
31 March 2012 25 Benfica 2–1 Braga Lisbon
22:15 CET (UTC+01) Vítor Yellow card 32'
Luisão Yellow card 65'
Witsel 77' (pen.)
Bruno César 90+2'		 Report Douglão Yellow card 13'
Elderson 82'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 49,078
Referee: João Ferreira
9 April 2012 26 Sporting CP 1–0 Benfica Lisbon
21:15 CET (UTC+01) Van Wolfswinkel 18' (pen.)
Schaars Yellow card 40'
Xandão Yellow card 45'
Pereira Yellow card 64'
Polga Yellow card 69'
Elias Yellow card 81'
Carriço Yellow card 81'		 Report Luisão Yellow card 17' Yellow-red card 90'
García Yellow card 28'
Oliveira Yellow card 64'
Nolito Yellow card 75'
Witsel Yellow card 80'		 Stadium: Estádio José Alvalade
Attendance: 47,409
Referee: Artur Soares Dias
21 April 2012 27 Benfica 4–1 Marítimo Lisbon
18:00 CET (UTC+01) Nolito 15', 19'
Rodrigo 65'
Bruno César 69'
Capdevila Yellow card 90'		 Report Roberto Yellow card 25'
Sami Yellow card 34' 52'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 40,099
Referee: Bruno Paixão
29 April 2012 28 Rio Ave 2–2 Benfica Vila do Conde
20:15 CET (UTC+01) Atsu 8'
Pinto Yellow card 16'
Gaspar Yellow card 40'
Yazalde 51'
Kelvin Yellow card 66'
Braga Yellow card 72'		 Report Pereira Yellow card 37'
Nolito 37' Yellow card 53'
Cardozo 40' (pen.)
Matić Yellow card 43'
Capdevila Yellow card 55'
García Yellow card 78'		 Stadium: Estádio do Rio Ave FC
Attendance: 3,706
Referee: Olegário Benquerença
5 May 2012 29 Benfica 1–0 União de Leiria Lisboa
21:30 CET (UTC+01) Garay Yellow card 14'
Bruno César 21'
Pereira Yellow card 26'
Almeida Yellow card 87'		 Report Ogu Yellow card 37' Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 30,070
Referee: Rui Costa
12 May 2012 30 Vitória de Setúbal 1–3 Benfica Setúbal
19:30 CET (UTC+01) Lopes 12'
Santos Yellow card 36'
Neca Yellow card 56'
Suswam Yellow card 73'		 Report Matić Yellow card 31'
Bruno César 34', 62' Yellow card 57'
Cardozo 90'		 Stadium: Estádio do Bonfim
Attendance: 5,590
Referee: Jorge Sousa

Taça de Portugal

Main article: 2011–12 Taça de Portugal
14 October 2011 Third round Portimonense 0–2 Benfica Portimão
21:15 CET (UTC+01) Report Stadium: Estádio Municipal de Portimão
18 November 2011 Fourth round Naval 1º de Maio 0–1 Benfica Figueira da Foz
21:15 CET (UTC+01) Godinho Yellow card 50' Report Nolito Yellow card 63'
Mora Yellow card 73'
Rodrigo 83'		 Stadium: Estádio Municipal José Bento Pessoa
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Artur Soares Dias
2 December 2011 Fifth round Marítimo 2–1 Benfica Funchal
21:15 CET (UTC+01) Briguel Yellow card 25'
Dias Yellow card 28'
Roberto 60'
Sami 70'
João Guilherme Yellow card 79'
Miranda Yellow card 90'		 Report Saviola 26' (pen.)
Gaitán Yellow card 39'		 Stadium: Estádio dos Barreiros
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Paulo Baptista

Taça da Liga

Main article: 2011–12 Taça da Liga

Group stage

3 January 2012 1 Vitória de Guimarães 1–4 Benfica Guimarães
20:45 João Paulo 48' Report Witsel 11'
Cardozo 65', 83'
Rodrigo 88'		 Stadium: Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
Attendance: 7,237
Referee: Bruno Paixão
18 January 2012 2 Benfica 2–0 Santa Clara Lisbon
20:15 Oliveira 68'
Witsel 75'		 Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 14,453
Referee: Rui Silva
5 February 2012 3 Benfica 3–0 Marítimo Lisbon
20:30 Oliveira 13'
Rodrigo 72', 80'		 Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 19,594
Referee: Artur Soares Dias

Knockout phase

20 March 2012 Semi-finals Benfica 3–2 Porto Lisbon
20:45 Pereira 4'
Nolito 43'
Cardozo 77'		 Report González 8'
Mangala 17'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 28,553
Referee: Artur Soares Dias
14 April 2012 Final Benfica 2–1 Gil Vicente Coimbra
20:45 Rodrigo 31'
Gaitán Yellow card 81'
Saviola 83' Yellow card 85'
Bruno César Yellow card 85'		 Report Luís Manuel Yellow card 50'
Zé Luís 79'
Cláudio Yellow card 85'		 Stadium: Estádio Cidade de Coimbra
Attendance: 23,452
Referee: Jorge Sousa

UEFA Champions League

Main article: 2011–12 UEFA Champions League

Third qualifying round

Main article: 2011–12 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round § Third qualifying round
27 July 2011 First leg Benfica Portugal 2–0 Turkey Trabzonspor Lisbon, Portugal
20:45 Nolito 71'
Gaitán 88'		 Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 37,341[9]
Referee: Stephan Studer (Switzerland)
3 August 2011 Second leg Trabzonspor Turkey 1–1
(1–3 agg.)		 Portugal Benfica Istanbul, Turkey
20:45 Paulo Henrique 32' Report Nolito 19' Stadium: Atatürk Olympic Stadium9
Attendance: 32,060[10]
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (Macedonia)

Play-off round

Main article: 2011–12 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round § Play-off round
16 August 2011 First leg Twente Netherlands 2–2 Portugal Benfica Enschede, Netherlands
20:45 De Jong 6'
Ruiz 80'		 Report Cardozo 21'
Nolito 35'		 Stadium: De Grolsch Veste
Attendance: 20,000[11]
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)
24 August 2011 Second leg Benfica Portugal 3–1
(5–3 agg.)		 Netherlands Twente Lisbon, Portugal
20:45 Witsel 46', 66'
Luisão 59'		 Report Ruiz 85' Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 48,353[12]
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)

Group stage

Main article: 2011–12 UEFA Champions League group stage § Group C
Group C
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Portugal Benfica 6 3 3 0 8 4 +4 12
Switzerland Basel 6 3 2 1 11 10 +1 11
England Manchester United 6 2 3 1 11 8 +3 9
Romania Oțelul Galați 6 0 0 6 3 11 −8 0
14 September 2011 1 Benfica Portugal 1–1 England Manchester United Lisbon, Portugal
20:45 Cardozo 24' Report Giggs 42' Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 63,822[13]
Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia)
27 September 2011 2 Oțelul Galați Romania 0–1 Portugal Benfica Bucharest, Romania1
20:45 Report Bruno César 40' Stadium: Stadionul Național
Attendance: 6,824[14]
Referee: David Fernández Borbalán (Spain)
18 October 2011 3 Basel Switzerland 0–2 Portugal Benfica Basel, Switzerland
20:45 Report Bruno César 20'
Cardozo 75'		 Stadium: St. Jakob-Park
Attendance: 35,831[15]
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
2 November 2011 4 Benfica Portugal 1–1 Switzerland Basel Lisbon, Portugal
20:45 Rodrigo 4' Report Huggel 64' Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 39,270[16]
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)
22 November 2011 5 Manchester United England 2–2 Portugal Benfica Manchester, England
20:45 Berbatov 30'
Fletcher 59'		 Report Jones 3' (o.g.)
Aimar 61'		 Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 74,873[17]
Referee: Cüneyt Çakır (Turkey)
7 December 2011 6 Benfica Portugal 1–0 Romania Oțelul Galați Lisbon, Portugal
20:45 Cardozo 7' Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 35,155[18]
Referee: Manuel Gräfe (Germany)

Knockout phase

Main article: 2011–12 UEFA Champions League knockout phase
Round of 16
15 February 2012 First leg Zenit St. Petersburg Russia 3–2 Portugal Benfica Saint Petersburg, Russia
18:00 Shirokov 27', 88'
Semak 71'		 Report Pereira 21'
Cardozo 87'		 Stadium: Petrovsky Stadium
Attendance: 18,200[19]
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)
6 March 2012 Second leg Benfica Portugal 2–0
(4–3 agg.)		 Russia Zenit St. Petersburg Lisbon, Portugal
20:45 Pereira 45+1'
Oliveira 90+3'		 Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 48,909
Referee: Howard Webb (England)
Quarter-finals
27 March 2012 First leg Benfica Portugal 0–1 England Chelsea Lisbon, Portugal
19:45 GMT Bruno César Yellow card 26'
Luisão Yellow card 67'
García Yellow card 75'		 Report Meireles Yellow card 18'
Kalou 75'		 Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento (Italy)
4 April 2012 Second leg Chelsea England 2–1
(3–1 agg.)		 Portugal Benfica London, England
19:45 GMT Lampard 21' (pen.)
Ivanović Yellow card 38'
Ramires Yellow card 44'
Mikel Yellow card 79'
Meireles 90+2'		 Report Cardozo Yellow card 19'
Bruno César Yellow card 20'
Pereira Yellow card 20' Yellow-red card 40'
Aimar Yellow card 27'
García 85'		 Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 37,264
Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovakia)

Overall record

Competition First match Last match Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win % Source
Primeira Liga 12 August 2011 12 May 2012 30 21 6 3 66 27 +39 070.00
Taça de Portugal 14 October 2011 2 December 2011 3 2 0 1 4 2 +2 066.67
Taça da Liga 3 January 2012 14 April 2012 5 5 0 0 14 4 +10 100.00
UEFA Champions League 27 July 2011 4 April 2012 14 6 5 3 21 14 +7 042.86
Total [20] 52 34 11 7 105 47 +58 065.38

Player statistics

No. Pos Nat Player Total Primeira Liga Portuguese Cup League Cup Champions League
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
1 GK Brazil BRA Artur 47 -43 29 -26 0 0 4 -3 14 -14
39 GK Portugal POR Mika 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
47 GK Portugal POR Eduardo 9 -7 1 -1 3 -2 5 -4 0 0
Defenders
14 DF Uruguay URU Maxi Pereira 43 3 25 0 1 0 4 1 13 2
22 DF Portugal POR André Almeida 4 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
4 DF Brazil BRA Luisão 41 2 25 1 2 0 2 0 12 1
33 DF Brazil BRA Jardel 18 0 10 0 1 0 4 0 3 0
24 DF Argentina ARG Ezequiel Garay 41 2 24 2 3 0 3 0 11 0
27 DF Portugal POR Miguel Vítor 10 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 4 0
38 DF Spain ESP Joan Capdevila 12 0 5 0 2 0 4 0 1 0
3 DF Brazil BRA Emerson 39 0 24 0 1 0 1 0 13 0
36 DF Portugal POR Luís Martins 5 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Midfielders
6 MF Spain ESP Javi García 39 2 22 1 1 0 4 0 12 1
21 DF Serbia SRB Nemanja Matić 30 1 16 1 2 0 2 0 10 0
5 MF Portugal POR Ruben Amorim 14 0 6 0 2 0 0 0 6 0
10 MF Argentina ARG Pablo Aimar 42 3 24 2 2 0 4 0 12 1
28 MF Belgium BEL Axel Witsel 49 5 29 1 2 0 4 2 14 2
35 MF Argentina ARG Enzo Pérez 4 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
26 FW Portugal POR David Simão 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
37 MF Portugal POR Rúben Pinto 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 MF Brazil BRA Bruno César 44 13 26 10 2 1 4 0 12 2
12 FW Portugal POR Yannick Djaló 5 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
20 MF Argentina ARG Nicolás Gaitán 44 4 25 3 1 0 4 0 14 1
9 MF Spain ESP Nolito 48 15 29 11 3 0 4 1 12 3
Strikers
7 FW Paraguay PAR Óscar Cardozo 45 28 29 20 0 0 4 3 12 5
11 FW Argentina ARG Franco Jara 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
16 FW Portugal POR Nélson Oliveira 22 3 12 0 3 0 5 2 2 1
19 FW Spain ESP Rodrigo 38 16 22 9 3 2 4 4 9 1
30 FW Argentina ARG Javier Saviola 31 6 18 4 2 1 5 1 6 0
22 FW Uruguay URU Rodrigo Mora 3 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0

Transfers

In

Summer

No. Pos. Name Age Moving From Type of Transfer Contract Ends Transfer fee Source Notes
1 GK Brazil Artur 30 Portugal Braga Transfer 2016 €200,000 N/A
28 MF Belgium Axel Witsel 22 Belgium Standard Liège Transfer 2017 €6,500,000 N/A
24 DF Argentina Ezequiel Garay 24 Spain Real Madrid Transfer 2016 €5,500,000 N/A
8 MF Brazil Bruno César 22 Brazil Corinthians Transfer 2016 €5,300,000 N/A
21 MF Serbia Nemanja Matić 22 England Chelsea Transfer 2016 €7,614,350 N/A Transfer of David Luiz
35 MF Argentina Enzo Pérez 25 Argentina Estudiantes La Plata Transfer 2016 €5,500,000 N/A
3 DF Brazil Emerson 25 France Lille Transfer 2015 €2,000,000 N/A
38 DF Spain Joan Capdevila 33 Spain Villarreal Transfer 2013 €1,000,000 N/A
39 GK Portugal Mika 20 Portugal União de Leiria Transfer 2016 €500,000 N/A
# DF Paraguay Lorenzo Melgarejo 20 Paraguay Independiente FBC Transfer 2015 €750,000 N/A
9 MF Spain Nolito 24 Spain Barcelona B Transfer 2016 Free N/A
34 DF Portugal André Almeida 20 Portugal Belenenses Transfer 2016 €1,100,000 N/A
22 FW Uruguay Rodrigo Mora 23 Uruguay Defensor Transfer 2015 €780,000 N/A
47 GK Portugal Eduardo 28 Italy Genoa Loan 2012 Free N/A
# MF Portugal Nuno Coelho 23 Portugal Académica de Coimbra Transfer 2014 €100,000 N/A
# DF Denmark Daniel Wass 22 Denmark Brøndby Transfer 2015 Free N/A
36 DF Portugal Luís Martins 19 Portugal Benfica U19 Promoted 2016 Free N/A
37 MF Portugal Rúben Pinto 19 Portugal Benfica U19 Promoted 2015 Free N/A
26 MF Portugal David Simão 21 Portugal Paços Ferreira Loan return 2015 Free N/A
# DF Ivory Coast Marco Zoro 27 Romania Universitatea Craiova Loan return 2012 Free N/A
# DF Argentina José Shaffer 24 Argentina Banfield Loan return 2013 Free N/A
# FW Uruguay Jonathan Urretavizcaya 21 Uruguay Peñarol Loan return 2013 Free N/A
# FW United States Freddy Adu 22 Turkey Çaykur Rizespor Loan return 2012 Free N/A
# FW Equatorial Guinea Javier Balboa 26 Spain Albacete Loan Return 2012 Free N/A
# FW Brazil Marcel 29 Brazil Vasco da Gama Loan return 2011 Free N/A
# FW Ghana Ishmael Yartey 21 Portugal Beira-Mar Loan return 2013 Free N/A
# GK Slovenia Jan Oblak 18 Portugal Olhanense Loan return 2015 Free N/A
3 DF Portugal Fábio Faria 22 Spain Real Valladolid Loan return 2014 Free N/A
# DF Portugal Abel Pereira 22 Portugal Gondomar Loan return 2013 Free
# FW Portugal Evandro Brandão 20 Portugal Gondomar Loan return 2013 Free N/A
# FW Portugal Hélio Vaz 20 Portugal Casa Pia Loan return 2012 Free
# DF Algeria Hassan Yebda 27 Italy Napoli Loan Return 2013 Free N/A
# FW Spain Rodrigo 20 England Bolton Wanderers Loan return 2016 Free N/A
# FW Portugal Nélson Oliveira 19 Portugal Paços Ferreira Loan return 2018 Free N/A
# FW Portugal José Coelho 21 Portugal Fátima Loan return 2012 Free N/A
# FW Portugal Ivan Santos 22 Portugal Espinho Loan return 2012 Free N/A
# FW Portugal André Carvalhas 22 Portugal Fátima Loan return 2012 Free N/A
# MF Portugal Miguel Rosa 22 Portugal Belenenses Loan return 2015 Free N/A
# MF Portugal Lassana Camará 19 Switzerland Servette Loan Return 2013 Free N/A
# FW Portugal André Soares 21 Switzerland Servette Loan return 2013 Free N/A
# MF Portugal Leandro Pimenta 20 Portugal Fátima Loan return 2013 Free N/A
# DF Portugal Mário Rui 20 Portugal Fátima Loan return 2013 Free N/A
# DF Portugal Miguel Vítor 22 England Leicester City Loan return 2012 Free N/A
# DF Portugal Jorge Ribeiro 29 Portugal Vitória de Guimarães Loan return 2012 Free N/A

Winter

No. Pos. Name Age Moving From Type of Transfer Contract Ends Transfer fee Notes Source
12 MF Portugal Yannick Djaló 25 - Transfer 2015 €250,000
34 DF Portugal André Almeida 21 Portugal União de Leiria Loan return 2015 Free N/A

Spend : Decrease €27,050,000

Out

Summer

No. Pos. Name Age Moving to Type of transfer Transfer fee Source
18 DF Portugal Fábio Coentrão 23 Spain Real Madrid Transfer €30,000,000 N/A
12 GK Spain Roberto 25 Spain Real Zaragoza Transfer €8,600,000 CMVM
1 GK Portugal José Moreira 29 England Swansea City Transfer €850,000 N/A
21 FW Portugal Nuno Gomes 34 Portugal Braga Transfer Free N/A
22 DF Portugal Luís Filipe 32 Portugal Olhanense Transfer Free N/A
# DF Ivory Coast Marco Zoro 27 - Contract Terminated Free N/A
# FW United States Freddy Adu 22 United States Philadelphia Union Transfer Free N/A
# FW Brazil Marcel 29 South Korea Suwon Bluewings Transfer Free N/A
# FW Brazil Weldon 30 Romania CFR Cluj Transfer Free N/A
# DF Portugal Abel Pereira 22 Cyprus Doxa Transfer Free N/A
# FW Portugal Evandro Brandão 20 Hungary Videoton Transfer Free N/A
# DF Algeria Hassan Yebda 27 Spain Granada Transfer Free N/A
# DF Portugal Jorge Ribeiro 29 Spain Granada Transfer Free N/A
# FW Portugal Ivan Santos 22 Portugal Oliveirense Transfer Free N/A
# FW Portugal André Carvalhas 22 Portugal Trofense Transfer Free N/A
# MF Portugal Lassana Camará 19 Spain Real Valladolid Transfer Free N/A
# FW Portugal André Soares 21 Portugal Marítimo B Transfer Free N/A
# DF Portugal Mário Rui 20 Italy Parma Transfer Free N/A
# FW Equatorial Guinea Javier Balboa 26 Portugal Beira-Mar Transfer Free N/A
24 DF France Lionel Carole 20 France Sedan Loan Free N/A
# DF Denmark Daniel Wass 22 France Evian Loan Free N/A
# MF Argentina José Luis Fernández 23 Argentina Estudiantes La Plata Loan Free N/A
# DF Paraguay Lorenzo Melgarejo 20 Portugal Paços de Ferreira Loan Free N/A
# DF Portugal Fábio Faria 22 Portugal Paços de Ferreira Loan Free N/A
# MF Portugal Nuno Coelho 23 Portugal Beira-Mar Loan Free N/A
34 DF Portugal André Almeida 20 Portugal União de Leiria Loan Free N/A
# DF Argentina José Shaffer 24 Portugal União de Leiria Loan Free N/A
# MF Brazil Elvis 20 Portugal Leiria Loan Free N/A
# GK Slovenia Jan Oblak 18 Portugal Leiria Loan Free N/A
# FW Uruguay Jonathan Urretaviscaya 21 Portugal Vitória de Guimarães Loan Free N/A
# FW Portugal Hélio Vaz 20 Portugal Atlético CP Loan Free N/A
# FW Portugal José Coelho 21 Portugal Atlético CP Loan Free N/A
# MF Portugal Leandro Pimenta 20 Portugal Atlético CP Loan Free N/A
# MF Portugal Miguel Rosa 22 Portugal Belenenses Loan Free N/A
# FW Argentina Franco Jara 22 Spain Granada Loan €400,000 N/A
# MF Portugal Carlos Martins 29 Spain Granada Loan €500,000 N/A
# GK Brazil Júlio César 24 Spain Granada Loan Free N/A
# DF Brazil Sidnei 21 Turkey Beşiktaş Loan €200,000 N/A
# MF Brazil Airton 21 Brazil Flamengo Loan €300,000 N/A
# FW Brazil Alan Kardec 22 Brazil Santos Loan Free N/A
# FW Ghana Ishmael Yartey 21 Switzerland Servette Loan Free N/A
# DF Portugal Roderick 20 Switzerland Servette Loan Free N/A
# MF Argentina Eduardo Salvio 20 Spain Atlético Madrid Loan Return Free N/A

Winter

No. Pos. Name Age Moving to Type of transfer Transfer fee Source
25 DF Portugal César Peixoto 31 Portugal Gil Vicente Transfer Free N/A
# FW Portugal José Coelho 21 Moldova Sheriff Tiraspol Transfer Free N/A
5 MF Portugal Rúben Amorim 26 Portugal Braga Loan Free N/A
35 MF Argentina Enzo Pérez 25 Argentina Estudiantes La Plata Loan €300,000 N/A
22 FW Uruguay Rodrigo Mora 24 Uruguay Peñarol Loan Free N/A
26 MF Portugal David Simão 21 Portugal Académica de Coimbra Loan Free N/A
# DF Portugal Fábio Faria 22 Portugal Rio Ave Loan Free N/A
Transfer income: Increase €41,150,000

Overall transfer activity

References

  1. ^ "Painel de Espectadores" [Attendance list per club]. ligaportugal.pt. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  2. ^ "Portuguese Liga 2011/2012 - Matchday 4". football-lineups.com.
  3. ^ "Portuguese Liga 2011/2012 - Matchday 9". football-lineups.com.
  4. ^ "Portuguese Liga 2011/2012 - Matchday 25". football-lineups.com.
  5. ^ "Benfica entre a elite europeia nos "quartos"". UEFA.com.
  6. ^ "Benfica em Guimarães para recolocar vantagem em cinco pontos". Diario Noticias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  7. ^ "Benfica vence Gil Vicente e conquista Taça da Liga". Jornal Noticias (in Portuguese).
  8. ^ "Liga Portugal".
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  10. ^ "Trabzonspor vs. Benfica - 3 August 2011". Soccerway. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  11. ^ "Twente vs. Benfica - 16 August 2011". Soccerway. 16 August 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  12. ^ "Benfica vs. Twente - 24 August 2011". Soccerway. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  13. ^ "Benfica vs. Manchester United - 14 September 2011". Soccerway. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  14. ^ "Oţelul Galaţi vs. Benfica - 27 September 2011". Soccerway. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  15. ^ "Basel vs. Benfica - 18 October 2011". Soccerway. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  16. ^ "Benfica vs. Basel - 2 November 2011". Soccerway. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  17. ^ "Manchester United vs. Benfica - 22 November 2011". Soccerway. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  18. ^ "Benfica vs. Oţelul Galaţi - 7 December 2011". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  19. ^ "Zenit vs. Benfica - 15 February 2012". Soccerway. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  20. ^ Almanaque do Benfica. Lua de Papel. p. 676. ISBN 978-989-23-2087-8.