Noronha Lopes backs Marco Silva and urges Benfica fans to fill Estádio da Luz for Europa League decider

First-leg setback in Switzerland

Benfica opened their competitive season on 23 July with a Europa League second qualifying round first leg away to St. Gallen. The Swiss side took the lead through Balde in the 37th minute, capitalising on a disjointed Benfica performance. Rafa Silva pulled the visitors level before the interval, but the equaliser did not spark a turnaround. In the second half, coach Marco Silva introduced changes, yet it was St. Gallen who found the decisive goal when Gaal scored in the 80th minute. The 2-1 defeat left Benfica with a narrow deficit to overturn and prompted sharp criticism of the team's display, which was characterised by an inability to control possession and create clear chances.

A voice of support from the Estoril Open

Three days after the loss, João Noronha Lopes appeared at the Estoril Open and spoke to CNN Portugal and TSF. Noronha Lopes, a businessman who forced a second round in the 2025 Benfica presidential election before losing to Rui Costa, chose not to join the chorus of criticism. Instead, he offered a public vote of confidence in Marco Silva and a direct appeal to the club's supporters.

I have a lot of hope that Marco Silva will get Benfica playing football and that we will win the next game. I appeal to the Benfica fans to be in the stadium and to support the team. We have to win and we have to conquer the Europa League.

His remarks were the first public intervention since the election and were notable for their singular focus on the team's immediate challenge. By urging fans to fill the Estádio da Luz, Noronha Lopes aligned himself with the broader effort to rally behind the squad at a delicate moment.

What the second leg demands

The return fixture is scheduled for Thursday, 30 July, at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Benfica must win by at least one goal to force extra time; a two-goal margin would secure progression inside 90 minutes. The Europa League holds particular weight for a club that has not featured in the Champions League group stage in recent seasons and sees the secondary competition as a realistic route to European relevance.

The first-leg performance exposed vulnerabilities in Marco Silva's early setup, but the coach will have had a full week to prepare adjustments. Noronha Lopes's call for unity reflects an understanding that the tie is as much about atmosphere as tactics. A packed stadium could provide the edge Benfica lacked in Switzerland.

The wider context

Noronha Lopes's decision to speak now, rather than remain silent, suggests he intends to remain a visible figure in Benfica's public life despite his electoral defeat. His message avoided any mention of the board or the president, focusing entirely on the players, the coach, and the fans. Whether that restraint holds if the team fails to progress remains to be seen, but for now his intervention has added a note of optimism to a tense pre-season.