The 1987–88 season was Sport Lisboa e Benfica's 84th season in existence and the club's 54th consecutive season in the top flight of Portuguese football, covering the period from 1 July 1987 to 30 June 1988. Benfica competed domestically in the Primeira Divisão, Taça de Portugal and the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, and participated in the European Cup after winning the previous league.

Despite a league and cup double, John Mortimore was replaced with Ebbe Skovdahl, who failed to meet expectations, being sacked before the end of November. With the league out of reach, Benfica focused on their European campaign, now with Toni at the helm. Eliminating Partizani Tirana, Aarhus, Anderlecht and Steaua București, Benfica met PSV Eindhoven in the European Cup Final. Without a key player like Diamantino, Benfica employed a cautious tactic, with the final being decided on the penalty-spot, where they lost, after van Breukelen defended a shot from Veloso. Domestically, Benfica came second behind Porto, and was knocked-out of the Portuguese Cup by the same team.

Benfica entered the new season with a change in the presidency and a new manager. Even before John Mortimore led the team to a league and cup double, there were discussion in the media of him being replaced by Sven-Göran Eriksson. A day after the victory in the 1987 Taça de Portugal Final, Benfica confirmed that Mortimore was leaving. To fit in new President João Santos electoral strategy, for a "European Benfica", several names were discussed, such as Carlos Alberto Parreira, Telê Santana and Javier Clemente. Benfica approached Clemente, but insisted more on Gunder Bengtsson, who had just won the UEFA Cup. After Bengtsson declined the offer, Benfica turned to Ebbe Skovdahl, 42-year old Danish manager, who last managed Brøndby. In the transfer market, Benfica added several players, most notably, Elzo Coelho,Fernando Chalana,Carlos Mozer and Mats Magnusson. Departures included António Bastos Lopes,Minervino Pietra,José Luís and Michael Manniche, the first two to retirement. The pre-season started on 21 July with medical exams, followed by a trip to Switzerland the next day, where the team would play in the Philips Tournament. The location was also chosen so that they could do altitude training. Afterwards they played in the Teresa Herrera Trophy and Trofeo Colombino. Their presentation game was on 3 August with Vitória de Setúbal. Due to the events of 31 May in Braga, Benfica's first home game was played in Estádio Nacional.

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