The Milan defeat has not left the little Brazilian down, he remains upbeat and wants the Liga form to continue. The left-back reminded that the objective in Braga is to get the three points to continue the good rhythm in the Liga.

"We didn't start like how we imagined, but now the team is bonding and we are expecting wins. Benfica has all the conditions to return with a great result and continue the line of victories."

Léo admitted that it is always a hard match to play Sp. Braga, especially away from Luz, but is confident to keep the rhythm after winning both Nacional and Naval by three goals without suffering.

Rui Costa has been deemed fit to play Sp. Braga tomorrow at 18:00 for the 5th «Jornada» of the Liga BWIN. The «maestro» took part in this morning's session without limitations following yesterday's absent from illness.

Argentine forward Bergessio has been left out due to injury, and he is the only player in respective to the game against Milan who has been 'moved' from the list. Luisão and Zoro also trained but the duo have yet to reach competitive level.

Sp. Braga have accumulated 6 points from 4 games, having been defeated at home already by FC Porto.

The 18 players called up:

Goalkeepers: Quim and Butt;
Defenders: Luís Filipe, Edcarlos, Léo, Miguel Vítor and Nélson;
Midfielders: Binya, Katsouranis, Fábio Coentrão, Maxi Pereira, Di María, Cristian Rodriguez, Romeu Ribeiro, Nuno Assis and Rui Costa;
Forwards: Cardozo and Nuno Gomes.

Cristian Rodriguez was present in the press conference at Seixal today and took the opportunity to say how he is adapting. The Uruguayan did not hide the satisfaction that he opted to represent Benfica, a team that plays at the highest level.

"There is a lot of difference. In South America we play with the ball more and in France it's more physical, whereas here I find that it's a bit of both. But I think I am adapting rather quickly."

"Portuguese football is similar to what I already knew. Players play well, with good teams and fans, and even better in a team like Benfica, where we have the possibility to play at International level."

The midfielder added that the Milan defeat is now history, and the next game in Braga is for the three points.

The Brazilian International trained without limitations and is now available for Camacho as an option. The training in Seixal, which saw the featured players in Milan rested, moved at a light rhythm without David Luíz and Petit, who continue injured.

Luisão will be able to travel to Braga for Sunday's 5th Liga game, as Camacho only wanted to utilize the player if he was at one hundred percent.

For the manager the defeat in San Siro was natural as he considered Milan the best team in the world, but he did recognize his team made mistakes which cost them.

"In relation to the first goal, there was nothing we could do, it was a direct free kick taken by a great player [Pirlo]. But we offered the second to them and it should not have happened."

It was an emotional return for Rui Costa to a previous place he called 'home'. The «rossoneri» fans had not forgotten the input the «number 10» gave to their team and made it heard during the game.

"We cannot complain too much as we lost to the European Champions away. I'm proud to be back and ecstatic at the way fans received me. I played my game and defended my shirt, that's the only way I know, but I won't hide the emotion I felt on how the fans treated me."

"We gave Milan too much respect in the beginning and they rapidly started taking control. It became harder when we suffered a goal during a set-piece, but we still had chances to equalize. The second goal from a counter attack which we knew we couldn't have let it happen."

"Anyway, we leave with our heads held up high, as we lost away to the champions by 2-1 knowing that the qualification depends on other games that will follow and not this one."

Two first half mistakes from Quim and Miguel Vitor afforded AC Milan an early 2-0 lead against the defending champions in Italy tonight. Nuno Gomes netted a late consolation but Benfica will be slightly disappointed following impressive displays in the league recently. This was the first time Camacho had been in charge of the team in the Champions League and the Spaniard was under pressure from the start following injuries to key players.

The finger could be pointed at Quim for conceding the first goal depsite having gotten a hand to Andrea Pirlo's curling 9th minute free kick following a foul on Kaká. However Benfica were fortunate not to have conceded even earlier when Massimo Ambrosini fired wide from Massimo Oddo's deep cross. Despite the early pressure former Milan man Rui Costa tested Dida from long range and Benfica should have had an equalised through Oscar Cardozo but the Paraguayan headed against the post when presented with an open goal after good work on the wing from his South American comrade Cristain Rodriguez after 21 minutes. Sadly for Benfica Milan scored again after 23 minutes following a period of Benfica pressure through Pippo Inzaghi. Benfica conceded possession to Milan in midfield and Pirlo punished Camacho's inexperiened team by crossing for Inzaghi to power home unmarked.

Rui Costa was industrious in midfield but was unable to work an opening in the Milan defence despite Dida having to push away Cardozo's low drive. Milan could have scored a third but Inzaghi headed over Jankulovski's cross appraoching half time. Cristian Rodriguez was then fouled on the edge of the area only for refree Mike Riley to give the decision to Milan as Benfica capped a luckless half by going in at the break two goals down.

Quim turned villain to hero after the restart, having to be alert to Kaká's speedy counter attack and Inzaghi and Ambrosini blasted efforts wide when they probably should have hit the target as Benfica struggled to get a footing in the second half. Emerson came closest to aumenting the lead late in the second half but his lob was palmed away by Quim. Nuno Gomes netted a consolation goal 2 minutes into injury time when he prodded Katsouranis' back post cross into an emply net as Benfica evaded a more heavy defeat in the face of fairly consistent pressure.

In the groups other game, Celtic were beaten 2-0 in Ukraine by Shaktar Donetsk.

Date: 18th September 2007 19:45 GMT
Venue: San Siro, Milan
Referee: Mike Riley (ENG)
Attendance: 38.358

BENFICA – Quim; Luís Filipe, Edcarlos, Miguel Vitor (Augustin Binya), Léo; Katsouranis, Maxi Pereira, Rui Costa; Cristian Rodriguez, Di Maria and Oscar Cardozo (Nuno Gomes).
AC MILAN - Dida; Kaladze, Nesta, Jankulovski, Oddo; Ambrosini, Gattuso, Kaká, Seedorf, Prilo; Inzaghi.

Goals: 0-1, Pirlo (9'); 0-2, Inzaghi (23'); 1-2, Nuno Gomes (92').

Highlights: [link]

José Camacho will be taking Benfica to the Champions League group stages the first time, as previously he only managed the team in the UEFA Cup competition.

With Rui Costa by his side the Benfica manager pretends his players to have the desire to clinch a win against what he considers the best club in the world. He added that a draw or a victory against AC Milan would do wonders for the team now and the future,

Léo happy with managers input

"The coach is doing a great job and the results have shown it in the last games. We overcame Copenhagen in the qualification phase and obtained two consecutive wins in the Liga. Benfica is ready and we can surprise them. [AC Milan]"

Rui Costa plans to continue

"My objective is to continue playing for many years to come with joy and enthusiasm, I only think of staying as a player and hope the President can stay with the club for the forseeable future. My mind is inside the four lines to help Benfica."

The Benfica squad arrived in Malpensa Airport at 19:45 local time with fans from both sides looking forward to the encounter, not only because the teams were involved against each other in two European finals, but also because of the return of Rui Costa to San Siro, where he is as much respected as he is in Benfica.

The «number 10» was devoured by the Italian press as he had spent 5 great years with the Milan club, winning the Champions League, and 12 years in Italy altogether.

"Even though we are up against the best team in the world, Benfica comes to San Siro with only victory in our minds, although Milan must be respected."

Rui Costa said a few words about his colleague Petit and wished to give him a victory as he failed to travel with the team due to injury, stating that the highly respected midfielder deserved to be in Italy.

Benfica carry out stadium adaptation training at 19:15 tomorrow after the press conference with José Camacho and Rui Costa.

After a casual morning training session and lunch at the stadium, the Benfica committee made way to the airport and will travel to Italy for the Champions League group opener against AC Milan.

The main surprise was the inclusion of midfielder Gilles to replace Petit. Nélson also returns to Camacho's list for San Siro after coming back from an injury. Moreira, David Luíz, Luisão, Zoro and Mantorras continue their recovery process, whilst Adu and Miguelito were left out by option.

The «showdown» with the European Champions will take place this Tuesday at 19:45 GMT (20:45 local).

The 19 players called up:

Goalkeepers: Quim and Butt
Defenders: Edcarlos, Luís Filipe, Léo, Nélson and Miguel Vítor.
Midfielders: Romeu Ribeiro, Gilles, Katsouranis, Rui Costa, Maxi Pereira, Nuno Assis, Fábio Coentrão, Di María and Cristian Rodríguez.
Forwards: Cardozo, Bergessio and Nuno Gomes.

Camacho confirmed that the Portuguese International is set to miss the debut Champions League match this season against AC Milan on Tuesday. The influential midfielder sprained his right knee during the second half of the Naval game and was stretchered off in pain.

"We still don't the full extent of the injury. But it's certain he won't be playing the next game, or the one after. When Petit complains it's because it really hurts. We will do our best to make sure his recovery is swift as possible. We are going to play the best in the world and have nothing to lose, we will try to conquer all points."

According to Bento Leitão, Benfica's medic, it could be serious as there are signs of ligament injury and he will be evaluated during the next 24 hours.

Camacho will now have to re-shuffle the team and may have to introduce youth player Miguel Vítor in defense again alongside Edcarlos, with Katsouranis filling his usual defensive midfield role. Petit is bound to be missed in the crucial game against the European champions.

Sidelined for a month

The medical department issued a statement on the 16th September notifying that Petit will be out for approximately 4 weeks without needing an operation. This is bad news for both Benfica and Portugal as he will be missing crucial games for the «encarnados» such as AC Milan, Sporting, Shakhtar, and Euro 2008 qualifiers for the national team.