1996–97 S.L. Benfica season

In the wake of a Cup-winning campaign, Benfica opened the new season by appointing a new manager, Paulo Autuori, who had been working with the club for past six months.{{cite news|title=100 anos: Paulo Autuori|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/100-anos-paulo-autuori.html|access-date=18 February 2016|work=Record|date=26 May 2003|language=Portuguese}} The Brazilian manager had just finished the 1995 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, where he led Botafogo to their second league title in history. From his former club, he brought in Jamir and Donizete, plus directly recommended the purchase of Bermúdez.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=548}}

The season began with the first leg of the 1996 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira against FC Porto, bringing a one-goal deficit back.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=554}} A week later; on the opening game of the Primeira Liga, Benfica drops two points against S.C. Braga in a home draw.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=549}} Still, with two convincing wins in early September, Benfica reached top of the table, together with four other teams. With the second leg of the Supercup next, Benfica received Porto on 18 September. However, the contend quickly became an unbalanced one, with Porto scoring five goals to none, as Preud'Homme prevented an even darker outcome{{cite news|title=Supertaça: "Marquei ao grande PreudHomme", recorda Arnold Wetl|trans-title=Supercup: "I scored to the great PreudHomme" remembers Arnold Wetl|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/fcporto/wetl-maisfutebol-benfica-porto-fc-porto-supertaca/1182492-1304.html|access-date=18 February 2016|work=Mais Futebol|date=4 August 2010|language=Portuguese}}{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=548}} The team was not disturbed by this defeat, and continued racking up consecutive league wins, even achieving a two-point lead over the second place; while the results in Europe were looking accordingly.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=549}}

{{Quote box|width=27%|align=right|quote="It is the first year of the longest title drought ever. Three managers pass through the bench to use 34 players and put Benfica in an unpleasant third place, with ten losses and at 27 points from the first (both club records). It starts badly with Paulo Autuori, and the loss of the Supercup, were the fans witness a consistent performance from Porto. The grief increased in January, with three straight losses, which did not happen in 40 years – Lusitano de Èvora, Belenenses and Sporting in October/November of 1957. Autuori is sacked and succeeded by Mário Wilson. A game later, Wilson relinquishes his place in favour of Manuel José, who succeeds in taking the team to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup Winners Cup and to the Portuguese Cup final. In between, new embarrassment caused by three straight losses, curiously enough, caused by the same teams of the previous series."|source=— Rui Miguel Tovar on the season events{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=548}}}}

In late October, Benfica visited Sporting for the Lisbon derby, losing one-nil and dropping down one position. A week later, with a further two more points dropped, Porto opened a three-point gap at the front.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=550}} By the time the Clássico arrived, the distance was already five points. Losing 1–2 to Porto, increased it to eight.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=550}} Affected by the defeat, Benfica lost for a second time on a row, with the priority changing from battling Porto in the title race, to defending the second place from Sporting. Autuori was sacked immediately, and Mário Wilson was appointed interim for one game.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=548}}{{cite news|title=Mário Wilson|url=http://gloriasdopassado.blogspot.pt/2008/10/mrio-wilson.html|work=Glórias do Passado|date=30 October 2008|language=Portuguese}} The move did not have any effect on the team sharpness, as Benfica lost for a third in a row for the first time since 1957–58.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=548}} The club lapped the first round of the league already one point behind their cross-town rivals Sporting, and fourteen from Porto. Manuel José was chosen was new manager on 26 January. The 50-year-old had managed Sporting and Boavista before with mild success, and was tasked with saving the season.

José's first game was a difficult visit to Braga; Benfica equalized one-nil and brought a point home, but lost two for Sporting.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=551}} With the league race resolved, Benfica focused on the Portuguese Cup, progressing to the sixth round after defeating C.S. Marítimo.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=553}} March was a particularly difficult month, as the team dropped eight points in just three match-days, being in danger of losing third place fourth place.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=551}} In the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Benfica ended its European campaign, after not being able to revert a 2–0 home loss against Rui Costa's Fiorentina, despite a marginal win in Florence.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=554}}

In April, the team gained some distance to the fourth place, S.C. Salgueiros, allowing them to focus on the Portuguese Cup.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=552}} With the advantage of receiving smaller teams at home in the knock-out stages, Benfica progressed to the semi-finals after beating Dragões Sandinenses in the quarter-final, meeting Porto next. On the last day of April, the club defeated Porto by two-nil with goals from Valdir and Edgar Pacheco, reaching a second consecutive Portuguese Cup final, where they enter as title-holders.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=553}} On the league campaign, Benfica track record on the final six league match-days, was four losses, a win and a draw, losing fifteen more points, ending the season a record-breaking twenty-seven points from Porto, fourteen from Sporting.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=548}} On 10 June, in the 1997 Taça de Portugal final, Benfica was surprised by Boavista, with a two-nil at the half-hour, they could not recover, giving Boavista their fifth national cup.{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=553}}

{{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|1996 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = First leg

|date = 18 August 1996

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Porto

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1996154500201011

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Domingos {{goal|42}}

|goals2 =

|location = Porto

|stadium = Estádio das Antas

|attendance =

|referee = Lucílio Baptista

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Second leg

|date = 18 September 1996

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 0–5

|aggregatescore = 0–6

|report = http://www.zerozero.pt/jogo.php?id=47001

|team2 = Porto

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Edmilson {{goal|3}}
Artur {{goal|43}}
Jorge Costa {{goal|46}}
Wetl {{goal|56}}
Drulovic {{goal|85}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance =

|referee = António Rola

|result = L

}}

{{main|1996–97 Primeira Divisão}}

{{:1996–97 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/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A

|label2= Result

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

|label3= Position

| res3=12/3/1/1/1/1/1/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3

|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 = 25 August 1996

|time = 19:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010101

|team2 = Braga

|goals1 = Hélder {{goal|82|pen.}}

|goals2 = {{goal|84}} Idalécio
{{sent off|2|35|55}} Rodrigão

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 40,000

|referee = José Rufino

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 2

|date = 7 September 1996

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Gil Vicente

|score = 0–3

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010202

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Hélder {{goal|28}}
Donizete {{goal|73||79}} {{sentoff|2|71|89}}

|location = Póvoa de Varzim

|stadium = Estádio do Varzim

|attendance = 25,000

|referee = Paulo Paraty

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 3

|date = 15 September 1996

|time = 19:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 5–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010302

|team2 = Vitória Setúbal

|goals1 = Bruno Caires {{goal|28}}
João Pinto {{goal|39}}
Hassan {{goal|49}}
Panduru {{goal|83}}
Luís Gustavo {{goal|83}}

|goals2 = Paulo Ribeiro {{goal|82}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 25,000

|referee = José Leirós

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 4

|date = 22 September 1996

|time = 20:30

|team1 = União de Leiria

|score = 0–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010403

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Panduru {{goal|74}}
Donizete {{goal|87}}

|location = Leiria

|stadium = Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = Paulo Costa

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 5

|date = 30 September 1996

|time = 19:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 3–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010503

|team2 = Desp. Chaves

|goals1 = Valdo {{goal|16}}
Hélder {{goal|86}}
Donizete {{goal|89}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 30,000

|referee = Soares Dias

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 6

|date = 13 October 1996

|time = 21:15

|team1 = Salgueiros

|score = 0–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010604

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Donizete {{goal|23}}

|location = Porto

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

|attendance = 12,000

|referee = Monteiro da Silva

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 7

|date = 21 October 1996

|time = 18:15

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 2–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010704

|team2 = Estrela da Amadora

|goals1 = João Pinto {{goal|2}}
Donizete {{goal|77}}

|goals2 = Jordão {{sentoff|2|37|57}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = António Costa

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 8

|date = 26 October 1996

|time = 21:30

|team1 = Sporting

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010805

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Beto {{goal|51}}

|goals2 = Jamir {{sentoff|2|34|62}}
Tahar El Khalej {{sentoff|2|42|81}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio de Alvalade

|attendance = 25,000

|referee = Vitor Pereira

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 9

|date = 4 November 1996

|time = 20:45

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010905

|team2 = Boavista

|goals1 = Iliev {{goal|30}}
João Pinto {{sentoff|0|80}}

|goals2 = Hélder {{sentoff|2|36|54}}
Jimmy Hasselbaink {{goal|85}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 25,000

|referee = Isidoro Rodrigues

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 10

|date = 16 November 1996

|time = 17:00

|team1 = Espinho

|score = 0–3

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011006

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Iliev {{goal|10}}
Valdo {{goal|85}}
Luís Gustavo {{goal|89}}

|location = Porto

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

|attendance = 4,000

|referee = Augusto Duarte

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 11

|date = 24 November 1996

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 2–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011106

|team2 = Farense

|goals1 = Valdo {{goal|44|pen.}}
Iliev {{goal|50}}
Hélder Cristóvão {{sentoff|2|44|83}}

|goals2 = Dos Santos {{goal|60}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 20,000

|referee = Paulo Paraty

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 12

|date = 30 November 1996

|time = 20:15

|team1 = Rio Ave

|score = 0–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011207

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Bermúdez {{goal|24}}
Pedro Henriques {{sentoff|2|58|72}}

|location = Vila do Conde

|stadium = Estádio do Rio Ave FC

|attendance = 10,000

|referee = Martins dos Santos

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 13

|date = 22 December 1996

|time = 21:15

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 0–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011307

|team2 = Maritimo

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = Luís Miranda

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 14

|date = 3 January 1997

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Leça

|score = 1–5

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011408

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Zé da Rocha {{goal|90}}

|goals2 = Donizete {{goal|5}}
João Pinto {{goal|13}}
Martin Pringle {{goal|35||56}}
Pedro Henriques {{goal|48}}

|location = Leça da Palmeira

|stadium = Estádio do Leça FC

|attendance = 5,000

|referee = José Pratas

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 15

|date = 11 January 1997

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011508

|team2 = Porto

|goals1 = João Pinto {{goal|50}}

|goals2 = Mário Jardel {{goal|24}}
Jorge Costa {{goal|57}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 75,000

|referee = Lucílio Baptista

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 16

|date = 19 January 1997

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Vitória Guimarães

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011609

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Quim Berto {{goal|9|pen.}}
João Pinto {{sentoff|2|23|68}}

|goals2 =

|location = Guimarães

|stadium = Estádio D. Afonso Henriques

|attendance = 20,000

|referee = Bento Marques

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 17

|date = 25 January 1997

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011709

|team2 = Belenenses

|goals1 = Bruno Caires {{goal|49}}

|goals2 = Paulo Fonseca {{goal|6}}
Bermúdez {{goal|30|o.g.}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 5,000

|referee = Paulo Paraty

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 18

|date = 1 February 1997

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Braga

|score = 1–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011801

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Zé Nuno Azevedo {{goal|39}}
Mozer {{sentoff|2|29|73}}

|goals2 = Glenn Helder {{goal|28}}

|location = Braga

|stadium = Estádio 1º de Maio

|attendance = 10,000

|referee = Paulo Costa

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 19

|date = 8 February 1997

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011902

|team2 = Gil Vicente

|goals1 = Martin Pringle {{goal|80}}

|goals2 = Carlitos {{sentoff|2|70|72}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 10,000

|referee = Soares Dias

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 20

|date = 15 February 1997

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Vitória de Setúbal

|score = 0–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012002

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Jamir {{goal|17}}
Edgar Pacheco {{goal|74}}

|location = Porto

|stadium = Estádio das Antas

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = Augusto Duarte

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 21

|date = 23 February 1997

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012103

|team2 = União de Leiria

|goals1 = Edgar Pacheco {{goal|60}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = Paulo Baptista

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 22

|date = 1 March 1997

|time = 21:15

|team1 = Desp. Chaves

|score = 3–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012203

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Miner {{goal|24}}
Dani Diaz {{goal|55}}
Milinković {{goal|84}}

|goals2 = Jorge Soares {{goal|48}}

|location = Chaves

|stadium = Estádio Municipal de Chaves

|attendance = 6,000

|referee = Paulo Paraty

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 23

|date = 16 March 1997

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 3–4

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199815400011209

|team2 = Salgueiros

|goals1 = Edgar {{goal|14}}
Tahar {{goal|63}}
João Pinto {{goal|82}}

|goals2 = Abílio {{goal|36}}
Nandinho {{goal|62}}
Marcos Severo {{goal|89||90}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = Francisco Ferreira

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 24

|date = 24 March 1997

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Estrela da Amadora

|score = 1–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012404

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Gaúcho {{goal|39}}

|goals2 = João Pinto {{goal|89}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Reboleira

|attendance = 6,000

|referee = Paulo Costa

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 25

|date = 4 April 1997

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012505

|team2 = Sporting

|goals1 = João Pinto {{goal|15}}

|goals2 = Pedro Barbosa {{sentoff|0|74}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 25,000

|referee = Pinto Correia

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 26

|date = 12 April 1997

|time = 20:00

|team1 = Boavista

|score = 1–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012605

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Jimmy Hasselbaink {{goal|5}}

|goals2 = Valdir {{goal|89}}

|location = Porto

|stadium = Estádio do Bessa

|attendance = 8,000

|referee = José Leirós

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 27

|date = 20 April 1997

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 2–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012706

|team2 = Espinho

|goals1 = Valdir {{goal|13}}
Valdo {{goal|64|pen.}}

|goals2 = Carvalhal {{sentoff|2|8|56}}
Lino {{sentoff|0|63}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 15,000

|referee = José Pratas

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 28

|date = 26 April 1997

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Farense

|score = 1–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012806

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Dragan Punišić {{goal|9}}
Paixão {{sentoff|2|60|83}}

|goals2 = Valdir {{goal|23}}
Edgar Pacheco {{goal|76}}

|location = Faro

|stadium = Estádio de São Luís

|attendance = 14,000

|referee = Isidoro Rodrigues

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 29

|date = 4 May 1997

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 0–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012907

|team2 = Rio Ave

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 50,000

|referee = Pinto Correia

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 30

|date = 10 May 1997

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Maritimo

|score = 2–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400013007

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Edmilson {{goal|41||65}}

|goals2 = João Pinto {{sentoff|2|55|72}}

|location = Funchal

|stadium = Estádio dos Barreiros

|attendance = 5,000

|referee = Cunha Antunes

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 31

|date = 18 May 1997

|time = 17:05

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400013108

|team2 = Leça

|goals1 = Jorge Soares {{goal|14}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 3,000

|referee = Soares Dias

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 32

|date = 24 May 1997

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Porto

|score = 3–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400013208

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Mário Jardel {{goal|57||62}}
Jorge Costa {{goal|76}}

|goals2 = Valdo {{goal|71|pen.}}
Tahar El Khalej {{sentoff|2|52|75}}

|location = Porto

|stadium = Estádio das Antas

|attendance = 45,000

|referee = António Costa

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 33

|date = 30 May 1997

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 0–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400013309

|team2 = Vitória Guimarães

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Vítor Paneira {{goal|63}}
Quim Berto {{goal|89}}

|location = Campo Maior

|stadium = Estádio Capitão Cesar Correia

|attendance = 30,000

|referee = José Leirós

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 34

|date = 15 June 1997

|time = 21:00

|team1 = Belenenses

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400013409

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Andrade {{goal|77}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio do Restelo

|attendance = 2,000

|referee = Lucílio Baptista

|result = L

}}

{{main|1996–97 Taça de Portugal}}

{{Football box collapsible

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

|date = 8 December 1996

|time = 18:00

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 3–2

|aet= yes

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997154500196251

|team2 = Vitória Guimarães

|goals1 = Bermúdez {{goal|10}}
João Pinto {{goal|32||95}}

|goals2 = Capucho {{goal|38}}
Alexandre {{goal|84}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance =

|referee = Lucílio Baptista

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = {{Tooltip|Fifth Rd|Fifth round}}

|date = 11 February 1997

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 2–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997154500195131

|team2 = Maritimo

|goals1 = Martin Pringle {{goal|44}}
Valdo {{goal|82|pen.}}

|goals2 = Carlos Jorge {{goal|56}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance =

|referee = José Rufino

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

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

|date = 9 March 1997

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 3–1

|aet= yes

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997154500105061

|team2 = Desp. Aves

|goals1 = João Pinto {{goal|87}}
Valdo {{goal|100}}
Nicǎ Panduru {{goal|108}}

|goals2 = Noverça {{goal|61}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance =

|referee = António Rola

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Quarter-finals

|date = 2 April 1997

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 5–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997154500104041

|team2 = Dragões Sandinenses

|goals1 = João Pinto {{goal|12||15||89}}
Marinho {{goal|20}}
Valdir {{goal|82}}

|goals2 = Landu {{goal|54}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance =

|referee = António Costa

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Semi-finals

|date = 30 April 1997

|time = 20:30

|team1 =Benfica

|score = 2–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997154500103021

|team2 = Porto

|goals1 = Valdir {{goal|28}}
Edgar Pacheco {{goal|32}}

|goals2 =

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance =

|referee = Lucílio Baptista

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Final

|date = 10 June 1997

|time = 20:30

|team1 = Boavista

|score = 3–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1998154500104021

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Erwin Sánchez {{goal|7||58|pen.}}
Nuno Gomes {{goal|28}}

|goals2 = Calado {{goal|35}}
Paulo Jorge Sousa {{goal|60|o.g}}

|location = Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio Nacional

|attendance =

|referee = Paulo Paraty

|result = L

}}

{{main|1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = First leg

|date = 12 September 1996

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Benfica {{flagicon|POR}}

|score = 5–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997300000298121

|team2 = {{flagicon|POL}} Ruch Chorzów

|goals1 = Donizete {{goal|25}}
João Pinto {{goal|26}}
Jamir {{goal|32}}
Valdo {{goal|70||90}}

|goals2 = Gęsior {{goal|73}}

||location =Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 20,000

|referee = Hermann Albrecht

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Second leg

|date = 26 September 1996

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Ruch Chorzów {{flagicon|POL}}

|score = 0–0

|aggregatescore = 5–1

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997300000298122

|team2 = {{flagicon|POR}} Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = Chorzów

|stadium = Stadion Ruchu

|attendance =

|referee = Mika Peltola

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = First leg

|date = 17 October 1996

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Benfica {{flagicon|POR}}

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997300000297081

|team2 = {{flagicon|RUS}} Lokomotiv Moscow

|goals1 = João Pinto {{goal|8}}

|goals2 =

||location =Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 20,000

|referee = Alain Sars

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Second leg

|date = 31 October 1996

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Lokomotiv Moscow {{flagicon|RUS}}

|score = 2–3

|aggregatescore = 4–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997300000297082

|team2 = {{flagicon|POR}} Benfica

|goals1 = Solomatin {{goal|9}}
Haras {{goal|58}}

|goals2 = Panduru {{goal|47}}
Donizete {{goal|63}}
João Pinto {{goal|90}}

|location = Moscow

|stadium = Lokomotiv Stadium

|attendance =

|referee = Knud Erik Fisker

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = First leg

|date = 6 March 1997

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Benfica {{flagicon|POR}}

|score = 0–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997300000204011

|team2 = {{flagicon|ITA}} Fiorentina

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Baiano {{goal|45}}
Batistuta {{goal|89}}

||location =Lisbon

|stadium = Estádio da Luz

|attendance = 20,000

|referee = Helmut Krug

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Second leg

|date = 20 March 1997

|time = 19:00

|team1 = Fiorentina {{flagicon|ITA}}

|score = 0–1

|aggregatescore = 1–2

|report = https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997300000204012

|team2 = {{flagicon|POR}} Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Edgar {{goal|22}}

|location = Florence

|stadium = Stadio Artemio Franchi

|attendance =

|referee = Mario van der Ende

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = {{Tooltip|Mario Cecchi Gori|Memorial Mario Cecchi Gori}}

|date = 7 August 1996{{cite web|author1=Erik Garin|title=Memorial Mario Cecchi Gori (Firenze)|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/mcgori.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=22 March 2017|date=12 December 2008}}

|time =

|team1 = Fiorentina

|score = 1–1

|penaltyscore=8–9

|report =

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Luís Oliveira {{goal|42}}

|goals2 = {{goal|35}} João Pinto

|location = Florence

|stadium = Stadio Artemio Franchi

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = {{Tooltip|Mario Cecchi Gori|Memorial Mario Cecchi Gori}}

|date = 7 August 1996

|time =

|team1 = Benfica

|score = 3–1

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 = Panduru {{goal|16}}
Donizete {{goal|36}}
Hassan {{goal|39}}

|goals2 = {{goal|33}} John Hartson

|location = Florence

|stadium = Stadio Artemio Franchi

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round =

|date = 10 August 1996{{cite web|author1=Alberto Miguéns|title=Que Benfica Em Inglaterra|url=http://em-defesa-do-benfica.blogspot.pt/2011/11/que-benfica-em-inglaterra.html|website=Em Defesa do Benfica|access-date=22 March 2017|date=21 November 2011}}

|time =

|team1 = Coventry City

|score = 2–7

|report =

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = Coventry

|stadium = Highfield Road

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = {{Tooltip|Santiago Bernabéu|Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu}}

|date = 27 August 1996{{cite news|title=El Madrid se pasea|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|date=28 August 1996|page=46|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1996/08/28/pagina-46/1336409/pdf.html#|access-date=22 March 2017|trans-title=Madrid on vacation|language=Spanish}}

|time =

|team1 = Real Madrid

|score = 4–0

|report =

|team2 = Benfica

|goals1 = Rául {{goal|2}}
Šuker {{goal|15|pen.}}
Victor {{goal|54}}
Lasa {{goal|70}}

|goals2 =

|location = Madrid

|stadium = Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

|attendance = 35,000

|referee = Antonio Lopez Nieto

|result = L

}}

The squad for the season consisted of the players listed in the tables below, as well as staff member Paulo Autuori (manager), Mário Wilson (manager) and Manuel José (manager).{{cite web|title=Sport Lisboa e Benfica Squad 1996-97|url=http://www.thefinalball.com/equipa.php?epoca_id=126&id=4|work=Thefinalball.com}}{{sfn|Tovar|2012|p=555}}

{{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 1996-97 season via transfer, with more details in the following section.}}

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

{{Efs player|no=1|nat=BEL|name=Michel Preud'homme|pos=GK|34|-30|5|-7|2|-6|6|-5}}

{{Efs player|no=2{{Sup|‡}}|nat=MAR|name=Tahar El Khalej|pos=DF|25|1|6|0|1|0|6|0}}

{{Efs player|no=3{{Sup|‡}}|nat=POR|name=Jorge Soares|pos=DF|20|2|6|0|0|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=4|nat=POR|name=Hélder Cristóvão|pos=DF|10|3|0|0|2|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=4{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=Ronaldo Guiaro|pos=DF|3|0|1|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=5{{Sup|‡}}|nat=COL|name=Jorge Bermúdez|pos=DF|27|1|3|1|2|0|6|0}}

{{Efs player|no=6{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=Jamir Gomes|pos=MF|12|1|1|0|2|0|6|1}}

{{Efs player|no=8|nat=POR|name=João Vieira Pinto|pos=MF|28|7|6|6|2|0|6|3}}

{{Efs player|no=9|nat=MAR|name=Hassan Nader|pos=FW|7|1|1|0|1|0|4|0}}

{{Efs player|no=10|nat=BRA|name=Valdo Filho|pos=MF|30|5|6|2|2|0|5|2}}

{{Efs player|no=11|nat=ROM|name=Basarab Panduru|pos=MF|19|2|2|1|1|0|6|1}}

{{Efs player|no=12|nat=POR|name=Fernando Brassard|pos=GK|0|0|1|-1|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=13|nat=POR|name=Dimas Teixeira|pos=DF|8|0|0|0|2|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=13{{Sup|‡}}|nat=POR|name=Tiago Pereira|pos=MF|19|0|3|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=14|nat=POR|name=Marinho|pos=DF|15|0|4|1|0|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=15|nat=ANG|name=Paulão|pos=MF|5|0|0|0|0|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=16{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=Luís Gustavo|pos=MF|10|2|1|0|2|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=17|nat=POR|name=Pedro Henriques|pos=DF|21|1|3|0|0|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=18|nat=ARG|name=Mauro Airez|pos=FW|12|0|3|0|0|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=19|nat=POR|name=Bruno Caires|pos=MF|18|2|2|0|2|0|4|0}}

{{Efs player|no=20|nat=BUL|name=Ilian Iliev|pos=MF|21|3|2|0|1|0|4|0}}

{{Efs player|no=21{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=Valdir|pos=FW|10|3|3|2|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=21{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=Donizete|pos=FW|16|7|1|0|2|0|3|2}}

{{Efs player|no=22|nat=POR|name=José Calado|pos=MF|24|0|5|1|2|0|4|0}}

{{Efs player|no=23|nat=POR|name=Edgar Pacheco|pos=MF|15|4|5|1|0|0|3|1}}

{{Efs player|no=24|nat=ANG|name=Akwá|pos=FW|3|0|1|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=25{{Sup|‡}}|nat=SWE|name=Martin Pringle|pos=FW|15|3|2|1|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=27|nat=POR|name=Nélson Veríssimo|pos=DF|1|0|0|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=28{{Sup|‡}}|nat=MAR|name=Abdelkrim El Hadrioui|pos=DF|5|0|2|0|0|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=29{{Sup|‡}}|nat=NED|name=Glenn Helder|pos=MF|11|1|1|0|0|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=30{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=Amaral|pos=MF|19|0|5|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=34|nat=POR|name=Hugo Leal|pos=MF|2|0|0|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=35{{Sup|‡}}|nat=BRA|name=Lúcio Wagner|pos=DF|2|0|1|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=37{{Sup|‡}}|nat=POR|name=Nélson Morais|pos=DF|1|0|0|0|0|0|0|0}}

|}

{{cite web|title=Transfers|url=http://www.thefinalball.com/team_transfers.php?id=4&epoca_id=126|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}}

{{1996–97 in Portuguese football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 S.L. Benfica season}}

Category:S.L. Benfica seasons

Benfica