Olhanense vs. S.L. Benfica: Primeira Liga - 24ª jornada 3/23/12 [R]

We're going to have to agree to disagree; I think that a red card requires not only intent or recklessness but a degree of unacceptable violence. Aimar does not go through the Olhao player. In fact he clearly is "pulling" his extended leg back after contact.

I agree he probably changed his trajectory a bit to give the guy the business but I fail to see a level of violence worthy of a red.

I guess I just think football isn't a non-contact sport.

We need a Paços de Ferreira miracle against Porto!!!

You probably know better than me; I hope that's the case because I don't think Benfica is winning the CL this year to get the holder's spot.

I just checked and we definitely have 3 for 2013-14 but I have no idea for 2012-13.

No, It's definately 2+1 next year. Portugal overtook Russia to get it. Portugal actually have moved ahead of France now also.

Heres the Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_coefficient

Fair enough, I'm a guest here so I won't insist.

Alright I just used the power of my google machine to confirm that Portugal has 3 CL spots for 2012-13; disaster averted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012–13_UEFA_Europa_League

Maxi: "This isn't the first time this happened. History keeps repeating itself".

He's probably referring to the red card Javi got against Braga last season against that decided the league.

Like I said in a previous post, JJ better not underestimate Gil Vicente for the Taca da Liga because that might be the only thing he wins this season. To be honest, I'm having my doubts that he can win that. We just don't know which team is showing up to play in these games and the players are inconsistent. I admit that the refs suck at times and we definitely have some bad luck, but this team lacks conviction. I think they are focused on collecting their paychecks and could care less about trophies......

From now on, let's just refer to the team as SLB, Inc. The whole thing is run like a corporation and it's all about money. They're happy because they got into the quarterfinals of the CL and got some more revenue. Mission accomplished...enjoy socios......sorry, but you are all idiots.

Mental Aimar let you guys down today. Lets see what Porto and Braga do.

Not confident receiving Chelsea days after this match.

Benfica didn't play anything last night. Let's move to the real deal.

QUERO ARBITRAGEM LIMPA!
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kJRL8boor0"]Adepto Benfica Possuido - Carrega Benfica - Melhor Qualidade - YouTube[/ame]

I'm shocked as to how every Benfica employee that has talked of this incident fails to see how the play was a blatant red card. Their defense, of course, has nothing to do with the play in question but with the idea that this is his first ever red card (which apparently is a lie as he had one before).

There's only one man that could possibly view these kinds of events this one-sidedly...

I hope every Benfiquista adopts your philosophy so we can stop hearing about penalties not awarded every week.

I stand by it, I think that carded fouls should be much rarer than they are. Diving and flopping have become so prominent in the game that every bit of contact is now officiated as an attempted murder.

I understand that a ref has a tough job and part of what they are trying to do is prevent the escalation of dangerous play but in this case a yellow would have sufficed.

I know all the "futebol mujaheddin" out there will declare jihad on this view but IMO footie needs to become more North American in how players are penalized. Fewer calls should be made but truly reckless and/or intentional bits of violence as well as overt diving should be penalized beyond cards with supplemental suspensions and fines.

This would improve the game tremendously although I regret to tell you that Beira Mar and Sporting would still suck.

You said a lot, yet said nothing at the same time. Nice skill brah'.

Sure, if you say so.

Amen

The main thing here was whether you guys would stop complaining about penalties.

(Already know the answer is no, but it'd be nice to see you fess up to it)

"62'- A falta cometida por Aimar sobre Rui Duarte é justificadora de cartão vermelho ao jogador do Benfica?
Jorge Coroado - Em absoluto. Aimar, depois de pontapear a bola, movimentou a perna para a sua direita no objetivo claro de deixar pegada no adversário. Cartão vermelho exemplar.
Pedro Henriques - Cartão vermelho corretamente mostrado por falta grosseira. Ou seja, Aimar, com a sola da bota, usa de força excessiva e de brutalidade sobre Rui Duarte na disputa da bola.
José Leirós - Cartão vermelho bem exibido, pois Aimar, depois de disputar a bola, com intenção e deliberação, procurou atingir violentamente Rui Duarte. "

And if that wasn't enough to convince you. Think about this. 6 million people are allegedly Benfica fans in Portugal. Or for every 5 people, 3 like Benfica. So what are the chances they found three non-Benfiquistas to comment?

It was a red card. All 3 big teams tied in Algarve this year. Title is still close and winnable. Its going down till the end.

Porto and Benfica still both play Sporting and Braga, ANYTHING can happen! Points can be won or lost by Porto, Braga or Benfica.

GOOOOLLLLLOOOOOO Melgarejo!!!! Pacos Ferreira tie Porto 1-1. Thank you Melgarejo! Benfica player loaned to Pacos. Helping Benfica and he's not even techniquelly on the team

Porto only 1 point ahead. Anything can happen.

fyp.

Umm no your wrong. Porto has 57 points after the tie. Benfica have 56. 1 point lead.

And if Braga win tomorrow, they take first place and are ahead 2 points.

fail.