29 years ago, in May 1994, Toni Rui left Costa on the bench in the historic 6-3 win against Sporting that paved the way for the now president’s only championship title as a Benfica player. To this day, the coach is confronted with the grief of the former football player. “I can’t forgive myself for not being in the starting line-up and coming in 19 minutes before the end of the game. Then he was decisive against União da Madeira and scored the winning goal. [1-0]and in the end we celebrated the title against Gil Vicente, after a 3-0 win,” Toni recalled to DN, on the eve that Benfica could celebrate another championship title.
On their way back to Lisbon, they stopped for dinner at Mealhada, while the fans celebrated in the streets. Now the party has no invasion and field or supporters putting on their shorts and jersey. At that time, there was no tradition of celebrating for the Marquês de Pombal (Lisbon). The initiation and farewell match for both – Toni left for Bordeaux and Rui Costa was swapped to Fiorentina – was on May 30 ‘in that red sea that was the old Estadio da Luz with 120 thousand people, in a tasteless tie with Vit. Guimarães (0-0), who did not stop the party at home, before the end of the championship with a defeat at Bessa (1-0).”
Toni became champion as a player (eight times) and as a coach (twice), but Rui Costa (aged 51) can achieve “an even greater achievement”: become champion as a player and chairman. It may even seem like “it’s less work”, but it is much more important for what it means for the class of players: “He opened a door that was closed to footballers and to be successful in a club the size of Benfica is to leave it open to the other footballers who aspire to lead the clubs of their hearts. He has inaugurated a new player-chairman profile,” the former Reds Glory told DN.
Toni, 76 years old, does not like “if” and until the Luz club is champion, caution is advised. Even for those who defend that the duel with Santa Clara (tomorrow at 6 p.m.) is “the game that cannot be lost” it is good to remember that the Azores stole points from the dragons in the first round: “Benfica lost in Chaves and at that moment we saw how difficult it was for FC Porto to beat Santa Clara (2-1) The relegation to the II Liga only relieves them of the pressure and makes them more dangerous, says the coach, who was released yesterday recalled the 35th anniversary of the European Cup I final, lost to PSV on penalties.
Symbol of Benfica
To clinch the title, Benfica, who currently have 84 points (two more than FC Porto), must win, but a draw should suffice, provided FC Porto fails to prevail at a draw on points the difference of 11 goals between scored and against now being recorded.
“When it comes to that [o Benfica sagrar-se campeão], it will be a remarkable day for Rui Costa and for the Benfica family, for all that he represents at Benfica. Someone who picked up balls, one of the most brilliant players in the history of the club and Portuguese football, manager, becoming a champion as president will be special and impressive. It will be a huge joy, although he has already become a champion in several sports and that is also a hat to take off him. He is a figure present in the games of the modalities,” recalled Toni.
Elected in 2021, after taking over the presidency on an interim basis with the forced resignation of Luís Filipe Vieira, Rui Cota has “reinforced” this aura of “benefit symbol” with which he has been labeled. And managed to prevent the club from ending up in a post-Vieira depression. And he should be credited for that too: “He lives for Benfica and has been a very pleasant surprise, for the way he has managed Benfica”.
But according to Toni, managers are “slaves to results”, like any coach: “Whether he is the president of a bank, company or a club, if he does not show results, he will be fought in the blink of an eye. Benfica fans often give , like everyone else, nothing about the backlog or the bet on infrastructure, many just want to know if they will win the championship and that’s why the title is also important to strengthen him as a leader”.
Azores without fear
Santa Clara will not be intimidated by the environment at Luz, according to coach Danildo Accioly. “The eyes of the country will be on this game. These are opportunities and moments like this that can change the fate of some players. We are committed and focused on continuing our journey of good games and enjoying the game” , said the Azores coach in the preview of the match of the final round of the 2022-23 I Liga.
Source: DN
