National team runners-up Benfica make their debut in the 2024/25 Portuguese Football League I this Sunday when they visit Famalicão, looking to follow in the footsteps of their rivals and avoid last year’s false start.
After Sporting’s wins against Rio Ave (3-1) on Friday and Porto’s win against Gil Vicente (3-0) on Saturday, the Reds travel to Minho (18:00) to face last year’s eighth-placed team, repeating the start of the 2020/21 season, in which they also began the competition with a 5-1 defeat against Famalisens.
Last season, Roger Schmidt’s team, which entered the field as national champions, made a bitter debut, losing to Boavista at the Bessa stadium in Porto.
At the same time, Farense welcomes Moreirense, the team that surprised last season with a sixth place in the final after Estoril Praia sponsored Santa Clara’s return to the ranks of the ‘greats’ at home.
In the midst of the third qualifying round of the Europa League against Servette, Sporting Braga, who finished fourth in the 2023/24 season, will start the championship against Estrela da Amadora in Minho at 20:30.
The opening day of the I League will end on Monday with the match Arouca-Vitoria de Guimarães at 20:15.
Program of the 1st round:
– Friday, August 9:
Sporting – Rio Ave, 3-1
– Saturday, August 10:
ABC — National, 1-1
Casa Pia – Boavista, 0:1
Porto – Gil Vicente, 3:0
– Sunday, August 11:
Estoril Praia – Santa Clara, 15:30.
Farense – Moreirense, 18:00.
Famalican – Benfica, 18:00.
Sporting Braga – Estrela da Amadora, 20:30.
– Monday, August 12:
Arouca – Vitoria Guimarães, 20:15.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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