Renato Sanches could be in trouble for Benfica’s title loss, but Bruno Lage, not so much.
The Eagles failed to stop Lisbon rivals Sporting from winning the title, with the Lions needing to match their competitor’s result the final day as they were leaders on head-to-head results.
Sporting won to render Benfica’s result meaningless, but Benfica still drew their finale to Braga to end on a low.
And there were tensions in Braga when Benfica’s Sanches was seen throwing a bottle of water at the home fans from a VIP box during an altercation.
The midfielder has had a rough season back home with injuries and poor form, and his loan from PSG may be in jeopardy with Benfica having the choice over whether they want to make it permanent.
Making that decision will be president Rui Costa, and it looks like head coach Bruno Lage.
Lage returned to the club midseason and dragged them back into the title race twice, and Costa has since defended him.
“Bruno has never been a problem for Benfica, he said it and he said it well,” the club legend said.
“He arrived at the start of the season, won the League Cup, is in the final of the Portuguese Cup and fought until the end in the championship. He is the least to blame for this situation.
“Like me and everyone who represents the club, he is doubly frustrated. He personally was unable to win the championship and he was unable to give it to Benfica.
“Despite the immense pain with which we will lay our heads on the pillow today, the reality is that next week we have a final to play.
“We have to have the courage to get out of this mourning as quickly as possible. In 7 days’ time we will play a final that will not cancel out the absence of this title, but it is yet another trophy up for grabs that Benfica must present itself in a position to win.
“My position? As I have always said, despite the news that came out yesterday – which I do not know where it came from – this is not the time to think about that.
“My focus is on concentrating on the team’s goals and, at the moment, we still have a Portuguese Cup and a Club World Cup to play for. In due time, I will know how to decide what is best. for me and for Benfica. I never put myself above Benfica.”
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