The 1955–56 season was Sport Lisboa e Benfica's 52nd season in existence and the club's 22nd consecutive season in the top flight of Portuguese football, covering the period from 1 August 1955 to 30 July 1956. Benfica competed in the Primeira Divisão, in the Taça de Portugal and in the Latin Cup.

The season saw Benfica lose a tightly contested Primeira Divisão title race, on the final matchday, and fail to defend the Taça de Portugal won in the previous year. The season concluded with a participation in the Latin Cup.

Season summary Benfica entered the season aiming to defend the league title won in the previous year. During the off-season the most notable departures saw Arsénio Duarte leave to CUF, while future stars Mário João and Domiciano Cavém joined the club.

Benfica began the season visiting Braga and winning 3–2. In the following matchday, the team hosted to S.C. Covilhã, drawing 2–2. They responded by winning the next two games, but a draw with Lusitano de Évora left Benfica with a one-point advantage over Porto, who also drew in the same matchday. However, they ended the October with a 3–1 away win over Sporting and a 4–0 win over Académica, finishing October in first place, with one more point than Porto.

November began with two decisive clashes. First, Benfica visited Porto in the first O Clássico of the season, losing 3–0. They then hosted Belenenses, winning 1–0, defeated CUF 5–1, finished the month one point behind leaders Porto. Benfica began December, drawing Torreense and ending the year in second place with a two-point disadvantage.

They began the new year with a win in Setúbal, following it with six more, but as Porto didn't lose any points the team stayed in second place. On 19 February, Benfica hosted Sporting in the Derby de Lisboa, winning 3–0 and matching Porto on points in first place. The team finished the month with a 1–0 away loss to Académica.

Now two points away from first place, on 4 March, Benfica hosted Porto in a decisive league match, drawing 1–1 which allowed Porto to keep a two-point advantage. In the 22nd matchday the team faced Belenenses, drawing 2–2 and increasing the distance to three points. A win over CUF allowed Benfica to cut the lead to two points, and two more wins along with a Porto loss against Sporting in the 25ht matchday meant Benfica and Porto entered the last matchday tied on points. In the last matchday Benfica defeated Atlético, but as Porto had also won their match, the Lisbon side finished second leveled on points but with a worst goal difference and head-to-head.

Having failed to defend the league title, the team turned its attention to the Taça de Portugal. A 4–0 away win against Farense in the first round allowed Benfica to progress to the round of 16. Next, the team visited Belenenses, Cavém gave Benfica the lead in the 16th minute, but two second half goals from André gave the hosts the win.

After the national competitions concluded, Benfica competed in the Latin Cup, as Porto, like Benfica in the previous year, declined to participate in the competition to make a tour in Brazil. In the semi-final draw, it was determined that Benfica would face Milan and Athletic Bilbao would face Nice, with Milan winning 4–2. On July 3, Benfica and Nice faced each other in the third-place match, with the Lisbon side winning after José Águas scored in the second extra time.

Competitions

Overall record Competition First match Last match RecordGWDLGFGAGDWin %Source Primeira Divisão 18 September 1955 29 April 1956 Taça de Portugal 2 May 1956 6 May 1956 Latin Cup 29 June 1956 3 July 1956 Total

Primeira Divisão

League table

Results by round

Matches

Taça de Portugal

First round

Round of 16

Latin Cup

Semi-Final

Third Place Match

Non-official matches

Player statistics The squad for the season consisted of the players listed in the tables below, as well as staff member Otto Glória (manager).

Transfers In Position Player From Fee Ref DF Mário João CUFUndisclosed FW Domiciano Cavém S.C. CovilhãUndisclosed

Out Position Player To Fee Ref MF João Gonzaga Estoril PraiaUndisclosed MF Vieirinha Lusitano de ÉvoraUndisclosed FW Arsénio Duarte CUFUndisclosed FW Esteves Académico de ViseuUndisclosed FW Romeu Caldas S.C.Undisclosed

References