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1993–94 S.L. Benfica season

Benfica
1993–94 season
President Jorge de Brito
(until 7 January 1994)
Manuel Damásio
Head coach Toni
Stadium Estádio da Luz
Primeira Divisão 1st
Taça de Portugal Quarter-finals
Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira Runners-up
European Cup Winners' Cup Semi-finals
Top goalscorer League:
João Pinto (15)

All:
João Pinto (18)
Highest home attendance 80,000 vs Parma
(29 March 1994)
Lowest home attendance 15,000 vs Braga
(17 October 1993)

The 1993–94 season was Sport Lisboa e Benfica's 90th season in existence and the club's 60th consecutive season in the top flight of Portuguese football. It involved Benfica competing in the Primeira Divisão and the Taça de Portugal. Benfica qualified for the European Cup Winners' Cup by winning previous Portuguese Cup. It covers the period between 1 July 1993 to 30 June 1994.

The season was marked by the events in his pre-season, as the club only made three signings. More importantly, however, the club lost regular starter Paulo Sousa and common substitute António Pacheco to Sporting CP due to unpaid salaries. Expectations around Benfica were not high, as Sporting and Porto were deemed the main contenders. After a poor start, however, a six-game winning streak granted them the top position in the league table. After going 15 league games unbeaten, a loss in April at Salgueiros and a draw at home against Estrela da Amadora made it necessary to win at the Estádio José Alvalade to retain their first-place position; a hat-trick from João Pinto in a 6–3 win put the title only six points away. On 25 May, a win over Gil Vicente ended the title race, with the club winning a record 30th league title.

The season that celebrated its 90th anniversary was also one of the club most tumultuous periods in recent history. In the summer, Paulo Sousa, João Pinto and António Pacheco unilaterally terminated their contracts, claiming unpaid salaries. While Pinto was successfully resigned with a pay increase, both Sousa and Pacheco never went back on their decision, subsequently moving to Lisbon rivals Sporting CP.


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