Belenenses-Benfica: a derby with more than 80 years

The hottest derby in the city of Lisbon, is the one between Benfica and Sporting. Nevertheless, the clashes between Belenenses and the eagles, with more than 80 years old, have an historic symbolism for the supporters. On Monday, at 9:00 pm, it will take place the 77th match, in the championship, between these two clubs, at Belenenses' home.

The History says that Benfica leads with 37 victories against the 22 victories of the opponent. 17 draws were still registered. To increase the distance between the clubs, special prominence to the last five Benfica's visits to Restelo, two of them with a large difference of goals (0-4 in 2009/10 and 0-5 in 2015/16).

 Nevertheless, it was not always easy for Benfica to leave Belenenses's field with points. The 30's and 40's prove it. The first Belenenses-Benfica for the Portuguese Championship took place on February 24^th, back in 1935, with a 2-1 victory for the home team.

THE 50'S AND 60'S DICTATE A CHANGE

Strong team in the decades of 1930 and 1940, by the time when they won their only national title, the "blues" from Restelo, have started to feel the difficulties to win over Benfica, since the 50's, when they only beat Benfica twice in nine matches.

The Belenenses has recovered no more and they were even relegated in the decade of 1980, at the beginning of the 90's and, again, in the XXI century. The current record of five victories in a row for Benfica, at Estádio do Restelo, only have a parallelism between 1979 and 1986. The same is to say that, in case of winning the next match on January 29^th, the eagles achieve their best record, away, against the "blues". 

HISTORIC OF THE CLASHES BELENENSES-BENFICA IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica