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.

Benfica were clinical in the important stages and over ran Naval to a comfortable victory but with last minute scares that could have given the opposition a consolation goal, or two, if it wasn't for solid keeping by Quim.

The game started off at a slow pace from the home team, and it was Naval who took the early initiatives of possession and build up attack. Benfica were kept in the back foot and were made to win second balls which didn't exactly go their side. The fans showed a bit of frustration as no clear opportunities came Benfica's way in the first 20 minutes.

Cristian Rodriguez surprisingly put Benfica ahead with a spectacular angled low-driven shot from outside the area, this was Benfica's first chance created by Di María who laid the ball to his South American counterpart on the left. A left-footed power shot was enough to see the ball behind the net.

Confidence rose and Benfica started commanding the game with authority, some great football was being played offensively. Di María broke through the defense and had a shot on goal, although the whistle had gone before he could have his effort, it earned him an undeserved yellow card. The «show» continued by the Lisbon side and the legendary Rui Costa made it two on the 35th minute. Luís Filipe pulled back a low cross from the right hand side which the «number 10» picked up near the six-yard box and 'windmilled' the Naval defender and slotted it home beautifully.

The «maestro» came agonizingly close for his second of the night as he half volleyed a loosely cleared ball by Naval from a Di María free kick. If this was a great performance by Rui Costa, it was getting exceptional. His vision found Rodriguez's run and the threaded ball from his own half opened up the Uruguayan who could have had a shot on goal, but instead opted to pass unselfishly, although it was caught by goalkeeper Taborda.

The second half started at a similar rate and the third Benfica goal was headered in by Nuno Gomes on the 52nd minute, from a pinpoint Rodriguez cross. A long awaited deserved goal for the Portuguese International who came extremely close to open up his Liga account in the past few games and a vital confidence boost ahead of the coming Champions League game against AC Milan, which will see «21» back in Italy.

The game was overshadowed by a nasty injury to Petit's knee, the sub-captain got his foot locked in play and stretched unwantedly, he received medical attention on the pitch but was carried off in pain. Applauses followed for the influential midfielder as he was substituted by Romeu Ribeiro.

With the game practically in Benfica's nest, more substitutions were made to rest key players Di María and Rodriguez, in which both had fine performances.

With the fourth consecutive clean sheet at stake, Quim was in no mood to let a consolation goal for the away team as he made outstanding back to back saves to deny the green men. China's powerful shot from 25 yards was their second to hit the crossbar, where the first one could have drilled the net if Quim didn't get a touch to it. Some luck was coming Benfica's way as Naval failed to finalize in successive rebounds. A defeated Hans Jörg-Butt looked from the bench knowing that his competition will keep him in the sidelines for the foreseeable future.

Benfica move up to third place temporarily with 8 points, and could remain if E. Amadora cause an upset to rivals Sporting.

Date: 15th September 2007 21:15 GMT
Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisboa
Referee: Rui Silva (Vila Real)
Attendance: 34,712

BENFICA – Quim; Luís Filipe, Edcarlos, Katsouranis and Léo; Maxi Pereira, Petit (Romeu Ribeiro 76'), Rui Costa and Cristian Rodriguez (Nuno Assis 83'); Di María (Fábio Coentrão 78') and Nuno Gomes.

NAVAL – Taborda (Rodrigo Café 69'); Mário Sérgio, Paulão, Gaúcho and China; Delfim, Davide and Godemeche (Hugo Santos 61'); João Ribeiro, Elivelton and Wandeir.

Goals: 0-1, Cristian Rodriguez (23'); 0-2, Rui Costa (35'); 0-3, Nuno Gomes (pen 52').
Disciplinary action: Yellow to Di María (30') and China (37').

Highlights: Benfica 3 - 0 Naval

Brazilian Rogério António has signed a one year deal with the Lisbon club, with three more seasons as an option.

The 18 year-old goalkeeper is formerly from Internacional de Porto Alegre, and has also played for Grémio. He is a towering figure with 1,88m in height and will reinforce the goal along with Quim, Butt, Costa and Moreira.

Presumably João Alves, this season's acquisition director, is looking to build on the future with this transfer.

Fábio Coentrão was called up to replace Miguelito as the only change in the list from the previous victory over Nacional. Nélson, Zoro, Miguelito, Moreira, Luisão, David Luiz, Adu, Mantorras and Gilles have all been left out, some due to injury and others by option.

Benfica will be facing Naval at home today at 21:15 GMT. Camacho has ordered the players not think about the encounter against AC Milan in Italy, but to focus in today's match for the three points.

"We have to think about today's game. I will not let my players set their mind for AC Milan, we have tim e for that."

"Miguel Vítor is still young and in a growing phase; Edcarlos has integrated well and will get his opportunity; as for Katsouranis, he will play in central defence if necessary. It's good to have a player with his quality that can cover the midfield and defence."

The Benfica manager also stated that Cardozo will doubtfully start in the first XI, as he is looking to get the best out of him in San Siro this coming Tuesday. He is expecting the players to create a lot of chances for this 4th «Jornada».

The 18 players called up:

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

Benfica has renewed Katsouranis' contract and his wages have risen by an extra €200,000 per year, it is assumed his annual salary will be around €920,000. The deal was finalized yesterday after some negotiations and the defensive midfielder was seen very satisfied with his new wage structure.

The Greek had been promised an increase to his annual income after great performances at the start of this season, where he helped Benfica reach the Champions League group stages with an away goal in Copenhagen. The «number 8» has been recently filling a gap in defence, due to injuries, and has protected the goal with great strength, contributing to Quim's last three clean sheets.

His contribution last season was also a major factor in this deal. The European Champion was brought to Benfica by former manager Fernando Santos.