Benfica manager underlined the importance of giving a run to most of the players in a comfortable win against Sunderland.

"Apart from the victory, it was important to have given as many minutes as possible to all players so they are at a satisfactory level of fitness on 7th August, the first official game."

Benfica kept their second clean sheet of pre-season, with the first coming against FC Monthey earlier this month.

"It was easier because English players are not that creative and it was easy to control them. But we do have more games coming and the team will continue to improve."

Saviola
"Our next games are very important. This year we will be in the Champions League and we want to retain the national title."

"We need to continue with the same mentality, professionalism and be humble like last season. It's going to be a tough year with very important competitions."

Benfica win the Albufeira Summer Cup with goals on either half from Cardozo and Carlos Martins.

The first of three games in Algarve was against English side Sunderland. Both teams met last year during pre-season where Benfica won 2-0, goals form Cardozo and Maxi Pereira.

The Paraguayan was given the nod alongside the recovered Franco Jara up front, and a very different midfield of Weldon, Peixoto, Javi García and Menezes supported the two. Coentrão dropped to a defensive position with Ruben Amorim on the other side.

The first chance of the game fell to Cardozo. Weldon won the ball from a Sunderland free-kick and powered forward taking out anything that got on his way. The Brazilian squared to Cardozo who shot first time with his right-foot at the figure of Mignolet.

Sunderland, from north-east England, could have scored the opener if Kenwyne Jones made contact with Malbranque's teasing cross on the 20th minute.

Cardozo was knocking on the door with a couple of half-chances and he scored at the half-hour mark with an attacking header. Fábio Coentrão's deep cross was inch perfect between two defenders.

A number of changes followed in the second half with players such as Saviola, Aimar, Martins, Moreira, Gaitán and Kardec coming on.

Nicolás Gaitán felt a strain on his back and was substituted for Nuno Gomes midway through the second-half.

Sunderland offered little on the attack and Moreira was left comfortable throughout the half.

Carlos Martins scored late on to secure the Albufeira Summer Cup with an unstoppable strike. Saviola laid the ball for the midfielder who shot first time from 25 yards to the surprise of the Sunderland keeper.

Benfica will play once again in Algarve on Friday for the Guadiana Tournament against Feyenoord, which also counts the presence of Aston Villa, set for Sunday night.

Planet Benfica's Key Players: Various

Date: Tuesday 27th July 2010, 21:15 BST PT/UK (22:15 CET)
Venue: Estádio Municipal de Albufeira, Albufeira, Algarve
Competition: Albufeira Summer Cup
Referee: - Hugo Miguel (A.F. Lisboa)
Assistant Referees: - Ricardo Santos, Hernâni Fernandes
Fourth Referee -
Attendance: -
Weather: Clear 28°C - Humidity: 66% - Wind: SE 8mph
TV: Sport TV

BENFICA - Júlio César (Moreira 45'); César Peixoto (Gaitán 45', Nuno Gomes 74' (c)), David Luiz (Roderick Miranda 80'), Sidnei and Rúben Amorim (Luís Filipe 45'); Fábio Coentrão (Fábio Faria 61'), Javi García (Airton 45'), Felipe Menezes (Carlos Martins 45') and Weldon (Pablo Aimar 45'); Cardozo (Saviola 45') and Jara (Kardec 45')
Subs: Moreira, Roberto, Fábio Faria, Luís Filipe, Airton, Carlos Martins, Balboa, Aimar, Gaitán, Nuno Gomes, Saviola and Kardec
Coach: Jorge Jesus

SUNDERLAND - Gordon Mignolet; Angeleri (Campbell 45'), Colback, Ferdinand (c) and Turner; Richardson (Liddle 83'), Al-Muhammadi and Malbranque (Cattermole 61'); Henderson, Zenden and Jones (Waghorn 33')
Subs: Carson, Liddle, Kay, Waghorn, Cattermole, Campbell and Weir
Coach: Steve Bruce

Disciplinary action: - Yellow card to Cattermole (87')

Highlights: Click here to watch the goals
Photos: Photos available after the game

Benfica informed through its official website that tickets for this season's Supercup (Supertaça Cândido da Oliveira) go on sale tomorrow on Wednesday.

Estádio Municipal de Aveiro will host the event between Benfica and Porto, who won the Portuguese Cup, on 7th August.

For the moment, tickets for the Benfica section will only be available for season ticket holders, and vary between 10 to 25 euros.

All other members will be able to purchase them after 31st July, and if still remains unsold, they will be available for the general public.

This year's venue is the home of newly promoted side Beira Mar. Please consult the fixtures page for other details.

Benfica player David Luiz has been called to the Brazil side for the first time in his career.

The 23 year-old is also hoping to earn his first cap when Brazil play the US in a friendly on 10th August. Corinthians boss Mano Menezes replaced Dunga after he was sacked for a quarter-final exit in South Africa.

Newspaper Globoesporte extracted a few words from David Luiz.

"I just found out and I am very happy to have been remembered for the first time. It's a new cycle for me and I thank God for that."

The defender, a favourite among the fans, has reinstated he will remain at the Luz for at least next season, and his willingness to continue has brushed aside some aggressive offers from top European clubs.

Jorge Jesus has called up 25 players for the Guadiana Cup against Sunderland tonight.

César Peixoto integrates the list despite not having trained on Monday because of a thigh injury.

Balboa will travel with the team to south of Portugal even though it has been made clear he will not be a part of the squad for the upcoming season, whilst Mantorras has been left in Lisbon.

Maxi Pereira, Luisão and Ramires will only join their colleagues later this week.

The 25 players called up are:

Goalkeepers: Moreira, Roberto, Júlio César and Oblak
Defenders: Fábio Faria, Roderick, Luís Filipe, David Luiz, César Peixoto, Sidnei and Fábio Coentrão
Midfielders: Airton, Ruben Amorim, Javi Garcia, Aimar, Felipe Menezes, Carlos Martins, Gaitán and Balboa
Forwards: Cardozo, Jara, Weldon, Nuno Gomes, Saviola and Kardec

After winning the official presentation game against Monaco 3-2, the team is back in Seixal to prepare for another friendly.

Jorge Jesus and his players will train today at 17:00 local time in the usual training ground at Seixal, and the session will be open to the public once more.

After playing Sunderland in the Albufeira Cup, also known as the Summer Cup, tomorrow at 21:15 BST, the «encarnados» return South for the Guadiana Cup.

Dutch giants Feyenoord await them on Friday, and English side Aston Villa on Sunday 1st August, both at 21:15 BST.

Jorge Jesus was satisfied that his side won the first home friendly of the 2010/11 season.

"The objective was to rotate the team, aware of the fact that we would have periods during the game with a lack of fluidity."

"These games serve for the team to grow, and for those who are not yet in form to improve."

Jorge Jesus admitted he wasn't worried when Benfica were trailing at half-time, and considered a test of character for his players to see if they could turn it around.

The manager praised Cardozo for his goal that proved to be the winner, stating "he is a goalscorer, he doesn't need to run a lot to score."

The Paraguayan just returned from his holidays after participating in the World Cup and snatched the winner from a Coentrão cross.

"It's special to be back, it's unique. Our fans were important for us lifting the title and I hope they are once again."
 
Gaitán criticises his performance
New signing Nicolas Gaitán was more critical on his performance, and the Argentine recognized he can do much better.

"It wasn't the best of games, I couldn't find myself. I want to do better and am never satisfied with less."

Gaitán is more accustomed playing in the middle, but is willing to help the team wherever the manager places him.

"I only think of helping and will play wherever the team needs me to be."

Benfica edge out Monaco in a friendly which saw the return of Cardozo and Fábio Coentrão, both clinical in the winning goal.

The 2010/11 official presentation coincided with the manager's birthday, Jorge Jesus turned 56 and was given rapturous welcome from the home crowd. Each player was called out to the center stage from the tunnel in ascending order (see squad page for the updates).

Apart from the new signings on show, the Estádio da Luz sported a brand new turf for the upcoming season.

The first team had Saviola and Kardec on attack, with support from Aimar, Carlos Martins and Nico Gaitán, the exact name behind the shirt of the Argentine. Airton provided cover for the back-four and Roberto was given full support from the manager to start in goal.

Benfica had many chances before Airton's goal on the 30th minute. Carlos Martins and Saviola both came close and test Monaco captain Ruffier. But it was the young Brazilian who got the goal from Aimar's corner with a header, he was proving why he was starting ahead of Javi García.

More to follow...

Planet Benfica's Key Players: Carlos Martins, Aimar and Airton

Date: Saturday 24th July 2010, 20:15 BST PT/UK (21:15 CET)
Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisboa
Competition: Official Presentation Friendly
Referee: - Bruno Paixão
Assistant Referees: - António Godinho, Nuno Roque
Fourth Referee - Nuno Campos
Attendance: 40,777
Weather: Sunny/Clear 30°C - Humidity: 25% - Wind: NW 13mph
TV: Benfica TV

BENFICA - Roberto (Júlio César 45', Moreira 68'); Ruben Amorim (Felipe Menezes 68'), Sidnei, David Luiz (c) and César Peixoto (Fábio Coentrão 45'); Carlos Martins (Fábio Faria 81'), Airton (Javi García 45'), Aimar (Luís Filipe 60') and Gaitán (Nuno Gomes 76'); Kardec (Weldon 68') and Saviola (Cardozo 60')
Subs: Moreira, Júlio César, Oblak, Luís Filipe, Fábio Faria, Fábio Coentrão, Javi García, Filipe Menezes, Jara, Weldon, Mantorras, Cardozo and Nuno Gomes
Coach: Jorge Jesus

MONACO - Ruffier (c); Adriano (Appiah 73'), Mongongu, Hanssen and Bulot; Coutadeur (Nicoulou 72') and Mangani (Gosso 72'); Aubameyang (Alonso 58'), Nicuale (Chu Yung Park 72') and Malcuit (Lolo 45'); Sagbo (Gakpe 83')
Subs: Shabbert, Lhostis, Nicoulou, Alonso, Chu Young Park, Gakpe, Gosso, Distel Zola, Diaz, Lolo, Dennis Appiah and Mendy
Coach: Guy Lacombe

Disciplinary action: - Yellow card to Adriano (44') and César Peixoto (45')

Highlights: Click here to watch the goals
Photos: See presentation and game photos

Benfica will start official proceedings from 19:15, one hour before the game kicks-off against AC Monaco.

Estádio da Luz will open its doors at 18:15 local time and has urged supporters to get in as early as possible.

The official player and staff presentation for the fans will take place at 19:15, and the friendly against the French side will start an hour later. Players such as Nicolás Gaitán, Franco Jara and Roberto will experience the Luz «inferno» for the first time since joining the club.

Both presentation and game will be shown live on Benfica TV, and RTP have also acquired the rights to show the match at 20:15.

Nuno Gomes is hoping for a good show and that his side triumphs on the night, although underlining that it still is a pre-season encounter.

"I'm hoping for a good festive atmosphere because it's a presentation game, which is already an important part of pre-season."

"Above all it still is a training match so we can reach good fitness levels as quick as possible, but we would like to win for the fans."

"Our first objective this season is to win the Supercup against Porto, and second is to retain the title."

"The league will be starting very soon, and obviously we have high expectations."

The Benfica Foundation has given new homes to three families who lost everything in the Madeira floods this year.

The natural disaster took place on 20th February, in the island of Madeira, where the floods displaced hundreds from their homes, and many lost all their homes, possessions and even lives.

President LF Vieira was accompanied by Carlos Móia, the president of the Foundation, and landed in the afternoon at the International Airport of Santa Cruz.

"This is a small gesture for a tragedy of enormous dimensions. But this will allow some of the affected to try and resume their normal lives."

"We want to help those who need it the most, and that is the reason for this Foundation. Only this way we can honour the values that inspired the birth of Benfica 106 years ago."

"Many of the things are irreversible, like the lives that were lost. But there are other things we can recover and that is the sense of my presence here today."

"We are a universal club and have our responsibilities. We grow stronger every time we help those who need it."

Regional governor, Alberto João Jardim, thanked Benfica's gesture in an emotional statement.

"The affection Benfica has shown helps Portugal grow beyond this world. They did not hesitate in sending their condolences after the tragedy, and they weren't only words, they took action."

"What a great example for the whole country. These three homes are worth more than any 10-0 victories. From the bottom of my heart and the people of Madeira, thank you very much."

> Also read:
Madeira floods kills 32 - BBC News