Having shaken off the hangover from their title celebrations on Sunday, Portuguese champions Benfica host Juventus in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
Benfica have been driven this season by the bitter memory of 12 months ago, when they found themselves on the verge of winning a treble of the Portuguese Primeira Liga and Cup and Europa League, only to miss out on all three trophies in an agonising two weeks.
Jorge Jesus’ side beat Olhanense 2-0 in front of almost 64,000 fans at the Estadio da Luz on Sunday to open up an unassailable seven-point lead with two games remaining in the Portuguese top flight and secure their 33rd league title.
“This was our main objective and we are all delighted,” said Jesus on Sunday as thousands of fans gathered to celebrate and welcome the team in their open-top bus at Marques de Pombal square in the centre of Lisbon.
Now, though, Benfica have a possible quadruple in their sights.
Having lost just once in 35 games, they are through to the Taça de Portugal cup final, in which they will play Rio Ave next month, and they face Porto in the semi-finals of the Taça da Liga cup this weekend.
European success may be the hardest to achieve for a club who have lost all seven continental final appearances since winning their second European Cup back in 1962.
But it would be a fitting way to pay tribute to 1960s greats Mario Coluna and Eusebio, who died earlier this year.
Standing in their way are a Juve side who are motivated by the prospect of reaching a final that will be played in their own stadium in Turin.
Juve are on the brink of retaining their Serie A title - they could be crowned champions this weekend - but success in Europe is also hugely important for a club whose last continental trophy was the Champions League in 1996.
“Many players in this team have never won a European competition and Juventus haven’t won a trophy in Europe for so many years,” midfielder Claudio Marchisio told Uefa’s website.
“When you reach this stage of the competition motivation can make the difference. So even if we’re coming to the end of the season and our legs are beginning to feel heavy, the trophy can give you that energy to give that bit extra.”
It remains to be seen whether key duo Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez will feature after both were left on the bench in the weekend win against Bologna after respective fitness problems.
Benfica are without the injured Eduardo Salvio and Silvio, while Nico Gaitan is a doubt after picking up a knock in the weekend win against Olhanense and Ljubomir Fejsa is also struggling.
The winner will face Spanish opposition in the final itself, with La Liga rivals Sevilla and Valencia facing off in the other last-four tie.
Sevilla, who beat city neighbours Betis in the last 16 before eliminating Porto in the quarter-finals, will be at home in the first leg and their recent form should make them favourites.
They have won 12 of their last 15 matches in all competitions, form that means they remain in the running to qualify for next season’s Champions League, and coach Unai Emery can look forward to coming up against his former club.
Emery spent four years in charge of Valencia until 2012, leading them to three third-place finishes in La Liga and a Europa League semi-final.
Since his departure in 2012, Valencia have struggled and they look unlikely to qualify for Europe next season via their domestic league, so the pressure is on current coach Juan Antonio Pizzi.
“It will be a great tie. We know each other well, but you can’t say either side is the favourite,” insisted Sevilla’s Argentinian defender Federico Fazio.
Both clubs enjoyed success in the Uefa Cup in the last decade, with Valencia lifting the trophy in 2004 before Sevilla won it in 2006 and 2007.
Fixtures
At Lisbon
Benfica (POR) v Juventus (ITA)
At Seville, Spain
Sevilla (ESP) v Valencia (ESP)
Second legs to be played next Thursday, May 1
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Company profile
Name: The Concept
Founders: Yadhushan Mahendran, Maria Sobh and Muhammad Rijal
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 7
Sector: Aviation and space industry
Funding: $250,000
Future plans: Looking to raise $1 million investment to boost expansion and develop new products
RESULTS
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TWISTERS
Director:+Lee+Isaac+Chung
Starring:+Glen+Powell,+Daisy+Edgar-Jones,+Anthony+Ramos
Rating:+2.5/5
THE BIO
Occupation: Specialised chief medical laboratory technologist
Age: 78
Favourite destination: Always Al Ain “Dar Al Zain”
Hobbies: his work - “ the thing which I am most passionate for and which occupied all my time in the morning and evening from 1963 to 2019”
Other hobbies: football
Favorite football club: Al Ain Sports Club
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: OneOrder
Started: March 2022
Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice
Based: Cairo
Number of staff: 82
Investment stage: Series A
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
BRIEF SCORES
England 228-7, 50 overs
N Sciver 51; J Goswami 3-23
India 219, 48.4 overs
P Raut 86, H Kaur 51; A Shrubsole 6-46
England won by nine runs
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.
Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.
The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.
A general guide to how active you are:
Less than 5,000 steps - sedentary
5,000 - 9,999 steps - lightly active
10,000 - 12,500 steps - active
12,500+ - highly active
