Jesus: Benfica out to exorcise ghost of finals past

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus has called on his players to lay theghost of an astonishing seven successive defeats in European finals to rest whenthey face Sevilla in Wednesday's Europa League final.Jesus has steered Benfica to the Portuguese league title, victory in the League Cupand a May 18 final in the Portuguese Cup to put the lisbon side within sight of anhistoric quadruple haul of trophies.But although mastering one final so far this season - last week's win against Rio Avein the League Cup - has given his side an element of serenity, Jesus knows thatachievement could mean little if they don't shake off a 52-year-old hoodoo.Since winning a second consecutive European Cup in 1962, Benfica have stumbled atthe last hurdle in seven further European finals -- five times in the European Cup,once in the UEFA Cup (1983) and once in its successor, the Europa League (2013). The memory of last year's defeat to Chelsea in Amsterdam has been partly erased bydomestic achievements this campaign.But despite claiming most of his players are blissfully ignorant of the club'schequered European history, Jesus knows it's time to set the record straight."I don't think we can talk about any kind of curse," Jesus told reporters at JuventusStadium on Tuesday."Most of the players don't even know about these statistics. It's folklore. "In saying that, it's something that motivates us further and gives us strength."One day this streak is going to be broken. We have to put the ghost to rest. Let'shope it is tomorrow.- Nervous -Benfica captain Luisao has led by example in the Portuguese giants' route to thefinal, notably heading off the line when 'keeper Jan Oblak was stranded to helpsecure a scoreless draw in the decisive second leg of their semi-final tie away toJuventus. Luisao admits to having pre-match butterflies, but the sour taste of last year'sdefeat has the towering Brazilian centre-back relishing a different outcome."We're all feeling a little nervous but that is a good sign, it means we're up for thechallenge and motivated to get the match started," said Luisao."Last year we weren't seen as favourites. And although this year people see us asfavourites from the outside, both sides have gone through a lot to make it to the final."We've been tested, but we're all feeling comfortable and ready to give everything. Iknow what it feels like to win a final (domestic) with Benfica, and I'd be more thanhappy to experience that tomorrow."We believe that we can win." Spanish striker Rodrigo, meanwhile, warned of Sevilla's potency -- and against anyfeeling that his side'ssuccesses so far this season means they can rest on theirlaurels."Of course being here, after wining two trophies, makes us feel more relaxed aboutthings. But tomorrow is a new game, a new final. We start from zero," said Rodrigo. "Sevilla are here because they deserve to be. No one gets to a final by luck. Theyhave great players so it's going to be a very interesting game, but we'll be doing ourbest to make sure we finally get our hands on the trophy." Source: AFP