THE VITALS:

Team: Benfica

Brand: Adidas

Era: 2012-13 (Used for the 2012-13 Primeira Liga season, the 2013 Taca de Liga Final and the 2013 UEFA Europa League Final)

Name/Number: -

CONDITION: VERY GOOD

I would have said that this shirt came to you in excellent condition; the material remains almost brand new, however, the respective sponsor decal on the back and the sleeve have started to either come away or fade.

DIMENSIONS:

Size: Small

Pit to Pit Measurement: 19 inches

Shirt Length: 29.5 inches

Made in the Adidas ‘ClimaCool’ range used ahead of the 2012-13 season; these dimensions may in fact lend themselves better to a size medium.

DESCRIPTION: 

After the previous season’s European anniversary homage shirt; Adidas would craft the 2012-13 home shirt with a retro look of its own! The stand-out feature would be without a doubt, the large white collar; a trait that pays homage to the first ever Benfica shirt that was worn when the club was founded in 1904. The crest would no longer be housed within a shield; rather, the crest sits proudly with the 3 stars above it to celebrate their 30+ Primeira Liga titles. The crest would also be reverted to its original colour scheme after the modified version that was used in the previous season.

THE SEASON: 

Despite going unbeaten in their first 18 league games, successfully retaining the Taca de Liga and reaching the quarter final of the Champions League; the 2011-12 season would still end in disappointment as they could only finish 2^nd in the league. In the close season, Javier Saviola and Joan Capedevilla returned back to Spain, meanwhile, their prized midfield duo of Axel Witsel and Javi Garcia would also be broken up. Their departures would pave the way for the exciting captures of: Ola John, Toto Salvio, Enzo Perez and Alan Kardec, while Luisinho was brought in too to bolster the backline. The new league season began with a blockbuster game with Braga that didn’t disappoint as they battled to a 2-2 draw. Jorge Jesus’ side were in sizzling form for the duration of 2012; dropping just 2 points in their next 11 league games to go into 2013 at the top of the table. Their European foray would also continue, albeit, in the Europa League as they paid the price for back to back defeats against Barcelona and Spartak Moscow. A 2-2 draw with Porto on January 13^th 2013 would preserve both team’s fine unbeaten starts to the season, a disappointing February however, would see Porto usurp them at the summit of the league, while there two season hold of the Taca de Liga, as they lost to Braga on penalties. Following on from their 2-2 draw with Nacional on February 10th, Benfica would embark on an yet another incredible run of 9 straight wins in the league to once again lead the way in the Primeira Liga. Along the way, Benfica would book their place in the 2013 Taca de Portugal Final on May 26th and would join Chelsea in the final of the 2013 Europa League; giving them to opportunity to avenge their Champions League exit 12 months earlier. A 1-1 draw with Estoril set the stage for a titanic penultimate season clash away against Porto, With the score at 1-1 going into stoppage time; Porto would snare a 2-1 win, to set up an incredible final day of the season. 3 days later, Benfica would again by defied by a late goal, this time however, it was Chelsea who broke the hearts of the Benfica faithful, winning 2-1 in the Europa League final in Amsterdam on March 15^th. Not even a final match-day win over Moreirense was enough to end the wait for the title, as Porto would be crowned the champions of Portugal to conclude a truly exhilarating Liga season. One of the most heart-breaking of season’s would finally end with Benfica falling to a stunning 2-1 defeat to Vitoria de Guimaraes in the Taca de Portugal Final.

The notable players that season were:

Lima, Nolito, Alan Kardec, Oscar Cardozo, Rodrigo, Nico Gaitan, Jonathan Urretavizcaya, Salvio, Carlos Martins, Pablo Aimar, Enzo Perez, Andre Almeida, Nemanja Matic, Ola John,    Andre Almeida, Sidnei, Luisinho, Luisao, Lorenzo Melgarejo, Eziqiuel Garay, Jardel, Maxi Pereira, Artur, Julio Cesar