Benfica aren’t quite a club in crisis, however, the 5-0 top of the table clash defeat to Porto at the weekend suggest that all is not well for Rangers Europa League opponents.
The Primeira Liga is every bit as tight as the Scottish Premiership – and every bit as bitter – with Roger Schmidt coming under intense pressure where second place is last.
What won’t help the German manager’s cause is the scrutiny that he is under from people like former Benfica player and director of football Gaspar Ramos who claims that a Rangers goal could turn the Europa League tie toxic.
Benfica fans won’t be happy if Rangers take the lead
Rangers have enjoyed a good record in the Europa League and, in particular, Portugal since 2018 and manager Philippe Clement will be hoping for the type of result that Steven Gerrard seemed to make look easy.
If he does, Schmidt could be seriously start to feel the heat, according to Ramos:
“If we lose the first goal against Rangers, it will create an incredibly toxic atmosphere.
“A Rangers goal would have disastrous consequences for the team because of the reaction of the fans.
“Look, that game at Porto was humiliating for us.
“Roger Schmidt should apologise to the Benfica fans, in particular, and to the entire football world for having played such pathetic football.
“I am afraid the manager has not faced reality for a long time. He always seems to see different games than the ones we watch.
“The fact is Benfica have the best squad in the league…and the worst manager.”
Not a fan then, Gaspar?
Benfica could still win the Primeira Liga and the Europa League this season but it looks as though the decision has already been made that Schmidt isn’t going to stick around long-term.
When a club has been used to good football and success, anything less can see fans and pundits start to ask questions.
As a club with one of the most successful player trading models in world football, Benfica will see Rangers as a favourable draw in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Schmidt’s opposite number, Philippe Clement, will have other ideas though and we have seen already that he won’t have any fear heading into the Estadio da Luz.
Schmidt, on the other hand, might not be so confident.
