Benfica president Luis Felipe Vieira has warned his team not to get complacent as there are still many matches to play until the conclusion of the Primeira Liga.
The Reds have been in fine form all season long and are now favourites to win the title after gathering a five point lead at the summit.
Jorge Jesus’ men have also showcased their talents at the pinnacle of European football, after qualifying for the knock-out rounds of the UEFA Champions League. Boasting players like Nicolas Gaitan, Pablo Aimar and Oscar Cardozo, the club are head and shoulders
above their rivals in terms of quality.
The closest any team has come to dislodging them from the top are FC Porto but even their challenge fizzled out as the campaign wore on. But with the Dragons adding Lucho Gonzalez and Marc Janko into their ranks over the winter, they could yet rise from
the ashes and Benfica president Luis Felipe Vieira has urged his side to concentrate as the season is still not over yet.
Speaking to reporters, the official said that there were still several games to play till the end of the current term and his team must not take their healthy lead for granted, as anything was possible in the game of football.
"We still have much of the championship ahead. It is a warning for Benfica that nothing is gained yet. In football, everything changes quickly and we must keep playing like we have done so in the past.”
He also commented on the Eagles’ upcoming tie with Nacional and said that the so called ‘smaller teams’ have the quality to cause an upset, so his side would have to approach the match with caution.
“The next game is with Nacional; we must respect the opponents and give everything to win. The so-called small teams have recently proven what they can do and if we are not careful, we can have these surprises.”
Lastly he revealed that although the season was not over, Benfica would definitely end up with the title, if they continued performing like they have done over the past few months.
"The path is traced and we must continue to work like this. With great humility, respect, rigor and the same determination that we have shown so far."
The Portuguese giants missed out on the Liga Sagres crown last year after being trounced by FC Porto, who also went onto to secure a quadruple.
Seeing their arch-rivals revel in their trophy haul was a sickening sight for the Estadio da Luz faithful but by gaining the upper hand this term, they will surely be able to avenge that.