Benfica must break Béla Guttmann’s curse to chase Liga Europa

Under the looming arches of Estádio da Luz, Benfica’s board gathers as the spectre of Béla Guttmann’s curse still haunts the club. Record’s sub‑director Vítor Pinto insists the Portuguese giants possess every condition to contest the Liga Europa, yet he urges a realistic first‑phase target of a top‑eight Liga finish.

Record’s sub‑director Vítor Pinto says Benfica possess every condition required to contest the Liga Europa. His assessment comes amid growing expectations from supporters.

Nevertheless, Pinto stresses that the club’s first priority must be a top‑eight finish in the Liga phase. Securing that position will lay the groundwork for any European push.

The lingering Guttmann curse

Benfica remain shadowed by the infamous Béla Guttmann curse, a superstition that has long denied the club continental glory. The belief persists that breaking it is essential for success.

A triumph in the Liga Europa would, in Pinto’s view, represent the decisive strike against the curse. Winning an international title could finally lift the spectre that haunts the Portuguese giants.

By pairing ambition with a pragmatic league target, Pinto outlines a roadmap that balances realistic goals with the desire to end the historic jinx. The approach aims to keep the season’s objectives within reach.