1995–96 S.L. Benfica season

The second season of Artur Jorge started with much more distrust over his abilities. From the large number of signings in the year before, only a handful prove noteworthy, and Tavares and Nelo even showed a complete inability to play for a big club.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=532}} Despite that, more exits followed, with a 28-year-old Vítor Paneira, and the club league topscorer in the year before; Isaías, causing the most anger.{{cite news|title=Paneira e a seleção: "Se eu tivesse ficado no Benfica..."|trans-title=Paneira and the national team: "If I stayed at Benfica..."|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/paneira-e-a-selecao-se-eu-tivesse-ficado-no-benfica|access-date=2 July 2015|work=Mais Futebol|date=14 May 2012|language=Portuguese}}{{cite web|title=Isaías ataca Artur Jorge: "Chegou para destruir o Benfica"|trans-title=Isaías attacks Artur Jorge: "He arrived to destroy Benfica".|url=http://planetaslbenfica.blogspot.pt/2013/08/isaias-ataca-artur-jorge-chegou-para.html|website=Sapo Desporto|publisher=Planeta Benfica|access-date=2 July 2015|language=Portuguese|date=22 August 2013}} Benfica signed mostly in Portugal, as with the league top goalscorer, Hassan, but also searched in Europe, bringing Valdo and Ricardo Gomes, back from France.

The league start was not ideal, as the team dropped four points in three match-days, leading to Artur Jorge being sacked after the build up of fan pressure.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=540}} The club then selected Mário Wilson as his replacement. Benfica slowly started collecting wins over the following weeks, but after the defeat against FC Porto in the Clássico of 5 November, the distance to the league leader increased to eight points.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=542}} In Europe, the ended their campaign, after being knock out by Bayern Munich, with Klinsmann scoring six goals, in what the press dubbed 'Cataklinsmann'.{{cite web|title=Cataklismann|url=https://www.dn.pt/desporto/interior/benfica-sporting-e-portugal-1176565.html|work=Diário de Noticias|access-date=12 March 2017|language=Portuguese}}{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=540}}

In November, with Porto putting on a strong campaign, the club set eyes on closing the distance on the second place, occupied by Sporting.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=542}} At the end of January, Benfica reach the second place for the first time, after João Pinto led the club past Vitória Guimarães.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=540}} In the following month, a strong performance by Marcelo, allowed the club to progress through the Portuguese Cup semi-finals after beating Vitória de Guimarães.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=545}} However, February did not go as well in the league race, with the club spending two weeks on the fourth place.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=543}}

In March, Benfica received and beat Porto, with João Pinto scoring the winning goal, as he have done in Guimarães.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=540}} With this win, the club re-assumed the second place, which would be its final league position, finishing the season six points ahead of Sporting, but an eleven behind Porto, which had the title wrapped up nearly a month before.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=544}} In April, with only the Portuguese Cup to compete for. Marcelo continued his goalscoring record on the national cup, scoring a double in overtime for the semi-final against Leiria.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=545}} On the 18 May, in the 1996 Taça de Portugal final, João Pinto scored two against Sporting in a 3–1 win, with the club winning its twenty-third Taça de Portugal. The celebrations were nonetheless cancelled due to the death of a Sporting supporter, after being accidentally hit by a lost flare.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=540}}

{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Draw|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#CCCCCC|Postponed|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{main|1995–96 Primeira Divisão}}

{{:1995–96 Primeira Divisão|showteam=BEN}}

{{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|legendpos=b|header=Round

|label1= Ground

| res1=H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/AA/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/H

|label2= Result

| res2=D/W/D/W/W/L/W/W/W/L/D/W/W/W/W/W/D/L/W/W/W/L/D/W/W/D/W/W/W/D/L/W/W/W

|label3= Position

| res3=10/7/6/4/3/5/3/3/3/4/4/4/3/3/3/3/3/4/4/2/2/4/4/3/2/3/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2

|text_H=Home|text_A=Away

|color_W=green2|text_W=Win

|color_D=yellow2|text_D=Draw

|color_L=red2|text_L=Loss

|color_1=1st|color_2=2nd|color_3=3rd|color_18-=red1

|source=[https://www.foradejogo.net/team.php?team=2&ano=1997&escalao=0&mode=M ForaDeJogo]

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 1

|date = 20 August 1995

|time =

|team1 = Benfica

|score = Postponed

|report = http://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/por-primeira-liga-1995-1996-spieltag/1/

|team2 = Salgueiros

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = P

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 2

|date = 26 August 1995

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Tirsense

|score = 0–1

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14385

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Panduru {{goal|49}}

|location = Santo Tirso

|stadium = Abel Alves de Figueiredo

|attendance = 10,000

|referee = Veiga Trigo

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 1

|date = 6 September 1995

|time = 19:45

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 0–0

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14120

|team2 = Salgueiros

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 6,000

|referee = José Rufino

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 3

|date = 9 September 1995

|time = 19:45

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–1

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14115

|team2 = Vitória Guimarães

|goals1 = Hassan {{goal|59}}

|goals2 = Ricardo Lopes {{goal|90}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = José Pratas

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 4

|date = 17 September 1995

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Estrela da Amadora

|score = 0–1

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14266

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 = João Pinto {{goal|28}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Reboleira

|attendance = 4,000

|referee = Pinto Correia

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 5

|date = 22 September 1995

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14116

|team2 = Belenenses

|goals1 = Marcelo {{goal|84}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = Vítor Pereira

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 6

|date = 4 October 1995

|time = 21:00

|team1 = Sporting

|score = 2–0

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14130

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Pedro Barbosa {{goal|49}}
Emmanuel Amuneke {{goal|83}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio de Alvalade

|attendance = 40,000

|referee = Veiga Trigo

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 7

|date = 14 October 1995

|time = 18:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 3–0

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14122

|team2 = Gil Vicente

|goals1 = Panduru {{goal|21}}
Hélder {{goal|45}}
Hassan {{goal|64|pen.}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 10,000

|referee = Isidoro Rodrigues

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 8

|date = 22 October 1995

|time = 19:15

|team1 = Desp. Chaves

|score = 1–2

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14334

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Rui Loja {{goal|68}}

|goals2 = Valdo {{goal|75}}
Hassan {{goal|78}}

|location = Chaves

|stadium = Estádio Municipal de Chaves

|attendance = 17,000

|referee = Paulo Paraty

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 9

|date = 27 October 1995

|time = 19:45

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 4–1

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14124

|team2 = Leça

|goals1 = Paulão {{goal|41}}
Iliev {{goal|44}}
Alfaia {{goal|64|o.g.}}
Hassan {{goal|80}}

|goals2 = Paredão {{goal|63|o.g.}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 7,000

|referee = Daniel Alberto Soares

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 10

|date = 5 November 1995

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Porto

|score = 3–0

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14095

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Domingos {{goal|42||85|pen.}}
Péter Lipcsei {{goal|88}}

|goals2 =

|location = Porto

|stadium = Estádio das Antas

|attendance = 40,000

|referee = Bento Marques

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 11

|date = 18 November 1995

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–1

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14114

|team2 = Boavista

|goals1 = Hassan {{goal|90}}

|goals2 = Artur {{goal|19}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 25,000

|referee = José Pratas

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 12

|date = 26 November 1995

|time = 19:45

|team1 = Braga

|score = 1–2

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14215

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Bo Andersson {{goal|25}}

|goals2 = João Pinto {{goal|30|pen.}}
Hassan {{goal|35}}

|location = Braga

|stadium = Estádio 1º de Maio

|attendance = 10,000

|referee = Lucilio Baptista

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 13

|date = 9 December 1995

|time = 19:45

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 2–0

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14127

|team2 = Campomaiorense

|goals1 = Edgar Pacheco {{goal|68}}
Marcelo {{goal|85}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = Cunha Antunes

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 14

|date = 16 December 1995

|time = 19:45

|team1 = Farense

|score = 1–3

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14300

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Hajry Redouane {{goal|13}}

|goals2 = Ricardo Gomes {{goal|34}}
Paulo Bento {{goal|56}}
João Pinto {{goal|82}}

|location = Faro

|stadium = Estádio de São Luís

|attendance = 14,000

|referee = Bento Marques

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 15

|date = 22 December 1995

|time = 19:45

|team1 = Felgueiras

|score = 1–2

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14351

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Lewis {{goal|32}}

|goals2 = Edgar Pacheco {{goal|48}}
Ricardo Gomes {{goal|72}}

|location = Felgueiras

|stadium = Estádio Dr. Machado de Matos

|attendance = 10,000

|referee = Carlos Calheiros

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 16

|date = 29 December 1995

|time = 19:45

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 4–0

|report = https://www.thefinalball.com/jogo.php?id=14117

|team2 = União de Leiria

|goals1 = Marinho {{goal|13}}
João Pinto {{goal|62}}
Ricardo Gomes {{goal|76}}
Panduru {{goal|81}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 30,000

|referee = Paulo Costa

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 17

|date = 6 January 1996

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Maritimo

|score = 2–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400011708

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Alex Bunbury {{goal|21}}
Carlos Jorge {{goal|78}}

|goals2 = Marcelo {{goal|16}}
João Pinto {{goal|68}}

|location = Funchal

|stadium = Estádio dos Barreiros

|attendance = 10,000

|referee = Lucílio Baptista

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 18

|date = 12 January 1996

|time = 20:45

|team1 = Salgueiros

|score = 4–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400011802

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Nandinho {{goal|36}}
Abílio {{goal|49|pen.}}
Nilton {{goal|79}}
Basílio Almeida {{goal|87}}

|goals2 = Valdo {{goal|55|pen.}}
Marcelo {{goal|89}}

|location = Porto

|stadium = Estádio Prof. Dr. José Vieira de Carvalho

|attendance = 5,000

|referee = José Pratas

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 19

|date = 20 January 1996

|time = 19:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 2–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400011903

|team2 = Tirsense

|goals1 = João Pinto {{goal|61}}
Dimas Teixeira {{goal|77}}

|goals2 = Rui Manuel {{goal|56}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 25,000

|referee = António Costa

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 20

|date = 27 January 1996

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Vitória Guimarães

|score = 2–4

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400012003

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Zlatko Zahovič {{goal|10}}
Ricardo Lopes {{goal|17}}

|goals2 = João Pinto {{goal|48||86}}
Marcelo {{goal|50}}
Hélder {{goal|58}}

|location = Guimarães

|stadium = Estádio D. Afonso Henriques

|attendance = 5,000

|referee = António Rola

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 21

|date = 4 February 1996

|time = 18:15

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400012104

|team2 = Estrela da Amadora

|goals1 = Paulão {{goal|46}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = Vitor Reis

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 22

|date = 11 February 1996

|time = 21:00

|team1 = Belenenses

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400012204

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Giovanella {{goal|62}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio do Restelo

|attendance = 5,000

|referee = Bento Marques

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 23

|date = 17 February 1996

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 0–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400012305

|team2 = Sporting

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 20,000

|referee = Paulo Paraty

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 24

|date = 2 March 1996

|time = 20:15

|team1 = Gil Vicente

|score = 1–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400012405

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Jaime Cerqueira {{goal|13}}

|goals2 = João Pinto {{goal|6}}
Marcelo {{goal|45}}

|location = Braga

|stadium = Estádio 1º de Maio

|attendance = 10,000

|referee = Isidoro Rodrigues

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 25

|date = 9 March 1996

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 2–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400012506

|team2 = Desp. Chaves

|goals1 = João Pinto {{goal|32}}
Marcelo {{goal|36}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 4,000

|referee = João Mesquita

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 26

|date = 17 March 1996

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Leça

|score = 0–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400012606

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = Leça da Palmeira

|stadium = Estádio do Leça FC

|attendance = 5,000

|referee = Lucílio Baptista

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 27

|date = 23 March 1996

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 2–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400012707

|team2 = Porto

|goals1 = Valdo {{goal|14|pen.}}
João Pinto {{goal|52}}

|goals2 = Emerson {{goal|51}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 50,000

|referee = António Rola

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 28

|date = 30 March 1996

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Boavista

|score = 1–3

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400012807

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Artur {{goal|85}}

|goals2 = Ricardo Gomes {{goal|1}}
João Pinto {{goal|67||75}}

|location = Porto

|stadium = Estádio do Bessa

|attendance = 10,000

|referee = Bento Marques

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 29

|date = 5 April 1996

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 3–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400012908

|team2 = Braga

|goals1 = Daniel Kenedy {{goal|9}}
João Pinto {{goal|43|pen.||73|pen.}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = Antonio Costa

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 30

|date = 14 April 1996

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Campomaiorense

|score = 0–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400013008

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = Campo Maior

|stadium = Estádio Capitão Cesar Correia

|attendance = 12,000

|referee = Martins dos Santos

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 31

|date = 21 April 1996

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 0–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400013109

|team2 = Farense

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Jorge Soares {{goal|90}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 20,000

|referee = José Pratas

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 32

|date = 28 April 1996

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400013209

|team2 = Felgueiras

|goals1 = Paulão {{goal|60}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = Monteiro da Silva

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 33

|date = 5 May 1996

|time = 20:30

|team1 = União de Leiria

|score = 0–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400013309

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Paulo Bento {{goal|44}}
Valdo {{goal|89}}

|location = Leiria

|stadium = Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa

|attendance = 10,000

|referee = Daniel Soares

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 34

|date = 12 May 1996

|time = 17:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 5–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199615400013408

|team2 = Maritimo

|goals1 = João Pinto {{goal|7||69||74}}
Dimas Teixeira {{goal|19}}
Paredão {{goal|90}}

|goals2 = Alex Bunbury {{goal|80}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = José Rufino

|result = W

}}

{{main|1995–96 Taça de Portugal}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = {{Tooltip|Fourth Rd|Fourth round}}

|date = 1 December 1995

|time = 18:00

|team1 = Tirsense

|score = 0–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1996154500196181

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 = João Pinto {{goal|7||72}}

|location = Santo Tirso

|stadium = Abel Alves de Figueiredo

|attendance = 10,000

|referee = Juvenal Silvestre

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = {{Tooltip|Sixth Rd|Sixth round}}

|date = 31 January 1996

|time = 19:45

|team1 = Farense

|score = 1–1

|aet = yes

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1996154500105041

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Christian {{goal|73}}

|goals2 = Marcelo {{goal|71}}

|location = Faro

|stadium = Estádio de São Luís

|attendance = 12,000

|referee = Veiga Trigo

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = {{Tooltip|6R Replay|Sixth round replay}}

|date = 14 February 1996

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 3–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1996154500105042

|team2 = Farense

|goals1 = Mauro Airez {{goal|60||68}}
Marcelo {{goal|81}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|referee = José Leirós

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Quarter-finals

|date = 25 February 1996

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–0

|aet = yes

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1996154500104031

|team2 = Vitória Guimarães

|goals1 = Marcelo {{goal|98}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance =

|referee = Martins dos Santos

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Semi-finals

|date = 10 April 1996

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 2–0

|aet = yes

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1996154500103021

|team2 = União de Leiria

|goals1 = Marcelo {{goal|113||119}}

|goals2 = Crespo {{sent off|2|61|81}}
Hugo {{sent off|2|66|84}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance =

|referee = Lucílio Baptista

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Final

|date = 18 May 1996

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 3–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1996154500101010

|team2 = Sporting

|goals1 = Mauro Airez {{goal|9}}
João Pinto {{goal|39||67}}

|goals2 = Carlos Xavier {{goal|83|pen.}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio Nacional

|attendance = 50,000

|referee = Vítor Pereira

|result = W

}}

{{main|1995–96 UEFA Cup}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = First leg

|date = 12 September 1995

|team1 = Lierse SK {{flagicon|BEL}}

|score = 1–3

|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=1995/matches/round=658/match=52180/postmatch/lineups/index.html

|team2 = {{flagicon|POR}} Benfica

|goals1 = Huysmans {{goal|39|pen.}}

|goals2 = Valdo {{goal|28|pen.}}
Marcelo {{goal|54}}
Paulo Bento {{goal|64}}

|location = Lier

|stadium = Herman Vanderpoortenstadion

|attendance =

|referee = Anders Frisk

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Second leg

|date = 26 September 1995

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Benfica {{flagicon|POR}}

|score = 2–1

|aggregatescore = 5–2

|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=1995/matches/round=658/match=52181/postmatch/lineups/index.html

|team2 = {{flagicon|BEL}} Lierse SK

|goals1 = João Pinto {{goal|24}}
Kenedy {{goal|60}}

|goals2 = van Kerckhoven {{goal|33}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|referee = Philippe Leduc

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = First leg

|date = 17 October 1995

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Benfica {{flagicon|POR}}

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=1995/matches/round=659/match=52253/postmatch/lineups/index.html

|team2 = {{flagicon|NED}} Roda JC

|goals1 = Panduru {{goal|78}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 20,000

|referee = Periklis Vassilakis

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Second leg

|date = 31 October 1995

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Roda JC {{flagicon|NED}}

|score = 2–2

|aggregatescore = 2–3

|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=1995/matches/round=659/match=52254/postmatch/lineups/index.html

|team2 = {{flagicon|POR}} Benfica

|goals1 = Hesp {{goal|60}}
Trost {{goal|72}}

|goals2 = Nader {{goal|85||90}}

|location = Kerkrade

|stadium = Parkstad Limburg Stadion

|attendance =

|referee = Serge Muhmenthaler

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = First leg

|date = 21 November 1995

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Bayern Munich {{flagicon|GER}}

|score = 4–1

|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=1995/matches/round=660/match=52269/postmatch/lineups/index.html

|team2 = {{flagicon|POR}} Benfica

|goals1 = Klinsmann {{goal|26||31||44||46}}

|goals2 = Dimas {{goal|30}}

||location = Munich

|stadium = Olympiastadion

|attendance = 60,000

|referee = Dermot Gallagher

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Second leg

|date = 5 December 1995

|time = 19:00

||team1 = {{flagicon|POR}} Benfica

|score = 1–3

|aggregatescore = 2–7

|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=1995/matches/round=660/match=52270/postmatch/lineups/index.html

|team2 = Bayern Munich {{flagicon|GER}}

|goals1 = Valdo {{goal|14}}

|goals2 = Klinsmann {{goal|32||68}}
Herzog {{goal|83}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 60,000

|referee = Peter Mikkelsen

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = {{Tooltip|UBank Challenge|United Bank Challenge Soccer Semi-final}}

|date = 27 July 1995{{cite web|title=South Africa: United Bank Challenge Soccer|url=http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//RTV/1995/07/27/605211404/?v=0|website=itnsource.com|access-date=22 March 2017|date=27 July 1995}}

|time =

|team1 = Kaizer Chiefs

|score = 1–0

|report =

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Fani Madida {{goal|75}}

|goals2 =

|location = Pretoria

|stadium = Loftus Versfeld Stadium

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = {{Tooltip|UBank Challenge|United Bank Challenge 3rd/4th place}}

|date = 30 July 1995

|time =

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 0–0

|penaltyscore = 4–3

|report =

|team2 = Leeds United

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = Johannesburg

|stadium = Ellis Park Stadium

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = {{Tooltip|Parmalat Cup|Parmalat Cup Semi-final}}

|date = 4 August 1995{{cite web|author1=Martín Tabeira|title=Parmalat Cup|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/parmalat.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=22 March 2017|date=4 October 2006}}

|time =

|team1 = Boca Juniors

|score = 1–1

|penaltyscore = 4–3

|report =

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Luis Medero {{goal|75}}

|goals2 = {{goal|17}} Valdo

|stadium = Giants Stadium

|location = East Rutherford, New Jersey

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = {{Tooltip|Parmalat Cup|Parmalat Cup 3rd/4th place}}

|date = 6 August 1995

|time =

|team1 = USA

|score = 2–1

|report =

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Klopaso {{goal|13|pen.}}
Lassiter {{goal|66}}

|goals2 = {{goal|63}} Illiev

|stadium = Giants Stadium

|location = East Rutherford, New Jersey

|attendance = 32,859

|referee =

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round =

|date = 13 August 1995{{cite news|title=Momentos de uma carreira|url=https://www.publico.pt/desporto/jornal/momentos-de-uma-carreira-260563|access-date=22 March 2017|work=Público|date=11 May 2008|language=Portuguese}}

|time =

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 0–1

|report =

|team2 = Fiorentina

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Rui Costa

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|location = Lisbon

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = {{Tooltip|Teresa Herrera|Teresa Herrera Trophy Semi-final}}

|date = 18 August 1995{{cite news|title=El Madrid, finalista en apuros|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|date=19 August 1995|page=18|trans-title=Finalist Madrid in trouble|language=Spanish}}

|time =

|team1 = Real Madrid

|score = 2–0

|report =

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Amavisca {{goal|70}}
Raúl {{goal|71}}

|goals2 =

|location = A Coruña

|stadium = Estadio Riazor

|attendance =

|referee = Arturo Daudén Ibáñez

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = {{Tooltip|Teresa Herrera|Teresa Herrera Trophy 3rd/4th place}}

|date = 19 August 1995{{cite news|title=Romario fue demasiado para el Benfica|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|date=20 August 1995|page=26|trans-title=Romario was too much for Benfica|language=Spanish}}

|time =

|team1 = Flamengo

|score = 2–1

|report =

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Romário {{goal|3||13}}

|goals2 = {{goal|12}} João Pinto

|location = A Coruña

|stadium = Estadio Riazor

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = José López de la Fuente

|result = L

}}

The squad for the season consisted of the players listed in the tables below, as well as staff member Artur Jorge (manager), Zoran Filipovic (assistant manager) and Mário Wilson (manager).{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=547}}{{cite web|title=Squad 1995/96|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/teams/sl-benfica/1996/2/|website=worldfootball.net|access-date=17 September 2015}}

{{small|Note 1: Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.}}

{{small|Note 2: Players with squad numbers marked ‡ joined the club during the 1995–96 season via transfer, with more details in the following section.}}

{{Efs start|Primeira Divisão|Taça de Portugal|UEFA Cup}}

{{Efs player|no=1|nat=BEL|name=Michel Preud'homme|pos=GK|33|-24|6|-2|6|-11}}

{{Efs player|no=2|nat=BRA|name=Paulo Pereira|pos=DF|7|0|0|0|4|0}}

{{Efs player|no=3{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=Ricardo Gomes|pos=DF|29|4|5|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=4|nat=POR|name=Hélder Cristóvão|pos=DF|31|2|6|0|6|0}}

{{Efs player|no=5{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=Paredão|pos=DF|8|1|2|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=6|nat=POR|name=Paulo Bento|pos=MF|29|2|6|0|5|1}}

{{Efs player|no=7{{Sup|‡}}|nat=POR|name=José Calado|pos=MF|14|0|4|0|4|0}}

{{Efs player|no=8|nat=POR|name=João Vieira Pinto|pos=MF|31|18|6|4|5|1}}

{{Efs player|no=9{{Sup|‡}}|nat=MAR|name=Hassan Nader|pos=FW|10|6|1|0|3|2}}

{{Efs player|no=10{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=Valdo Filho|pos=MF|30|4|6|0|3|2}}

{{Efs player|no=11{{Sup|‡}}|nat=ROM|name=Basarab Panduru|pos=MF|15|3|1|0|3|1}}

{{Efs player|no=13|nat=POR|name=Dimas Teixeira|pos=DF|30|2|6|0|5|1}}

{{Efs player|no=14{{Sup|‡}}|nat=POR|name=Marinho|pos=DF|18|1|3|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=15|nat=BRA|name=Aílton Delfino|pos=FW|4|0|0|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=16{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=King|pos=DF|0|0|0|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=17|nat=POR|name=Pedro Henriques|pos=DF|16|0|2|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=18|nat=POR|name=Edgar Pacheco|pos=MF|21|2|4|0|6|0}}

{{Efs player|no=19|nat=POR|name=Bruno Caires|pos=MF|16|0|4|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=20{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BUL|name=Ilian Iliev|pos=MF|19|1|5|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=21{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=Luiz Gustavo|pos=FW|14|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=25{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=Marcelo|pos=FW|27|7|6|5|6|1}}

{{Efs player|no=22|nat=POR|name=Daniel Kenedy|pos=MF|22|1|3|0|5|1}}

{{Efs player|no=23{{Sup|‡}}|nat=ANG|name=Paulão|pos=MF|18|3|2|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=24{{Sup|‡}}|nat=POR|name=Fernando Brassard|pos=GK|2|-4|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=26|nat=POR|name=Nélson Veríssimo|pos=DF|3|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=27|nat=POR|name=Maniche|pos=MF|0|0|0|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=30{{Sup|‡}}|nat=ARG|name=Mauro Airez|pos=FW|24|0|4|3|0|0}}

|}

{{cite web|title=Transfers|url=http://www.thefinalball.com/team_transfers.php?id=4&epoca_id=125|website=Thefinalball.com|access-date=22 March 2017}}

{{Reflist}}

Bibliography

• {{cite book | last=Tovar |first=Rui Miguel | title=Almanaque do Benfica|trans-title=Benfica Almanac| publisher=Lua de Papel |location=Portugal| year=2012| isbn=978-989-23-2087-8 }}

{{S.L. Benfica seasons}}

{{1995–96 in Portuguese football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1995-96 S.L. Benfica season}}

Category:S.L. Benfica seasons

Benfica