After a disappointing season in which Benfica failed to qualify for the
Champions League, the club appointed
Jorge Jesus as head coach. To strengthen the squad, Benfica signed
Javi García and
Javier Saviola from
Real Madrid,
Ramires from
Cruzeiro, and
César Peixoto from
Braga.
Fábio Coentrão also returned from loan, while
Kostas Katsouranis,
Reyes, and
David Suazo left the club. The pre-season began with a 2–2 draw against
Sion in
Switzerland, followed by victories over
Shakhtar Donetsk,
Athletic Bilbao, and
Olhanense, a defeat to
Atlético Madrid, four consecutive wins against
Sunderland,
Ajax,
Portsmouth and
Vitória de Guimarães, and a 1–1 draw with
Milan in the
Eusébio Cup. The official season opened on 16 August with a 1–1 home draw against
Marítimo, followed by a 1–0 away victory over
Vitória de Guimarães and an 8–1 home win against
Vitória de Setúbal. Later that month, Benfica defeated
Vorskla Poltava 5–2 on aggregate in the
2009–10 UEFA Europa League play-off round. In September Benfica won all four of its matches: 4–0 away at
Belenenses, 2–1 away at
Leiria, 5–0 at home against
Leixões, and 2–0 at home against
BATE Borisov in their opening Europa League group stage match. October began with a 1–0 away loss to
AEK Athens, but the team responded with victories over
Paços de Ferreira,
Monsanto in the
Taça de Portugal, and a 5–0 home win against
Everton in the Europa League. The month ended with a 2–0 away defeat to
Braga, leaving Benfica three points behind them in the league table. Benfica began November with a 2–0 away win over
Everton in the Europa League, followed by a league victory against
Naval 1º de Maio. The team was then eliminated at home by
Vitória de Guimarães in the fourth round of the
Taça de Portugal. The month concluded with a 0–0 draw against Sporting at the
Estádio José Alvalade. In December, Benfica defeated
BATE Borisov and
Académica, drew 2–2 away with
Olhanense, and won 2–1 against
AEK Athens before hosting Porto. In a tightly contested match, a 23rd-minute goal from
Javier Saviola secured a 1–0 victory, allowing Benfica to end the year level on points with Braga. The new year began with a 1–0 win over
Nacional in the
Taça da Liga, followed by league victories against
Rio Ave away,
Marítimo away, and
Vitória de Guimarães at home. A draw against Guimarães and a win over Rio Ave in the Taça da Liga ensured Benfica advanced to the semi-finals, finishing January as joint league leaders. In February, Benfica recorded league wins over
Leiria,
Belenenses and
Leixões, drew away to
Vitória de Setúbal, eliminated
Sporting with a 4–1 away victory in the Taça da Liga semi-finals, and defeated
Hertha BSC 5–1 on aggregate in the Europa League round of 32. March began with league wins over
Paços de Ferreira and Nacional, followed by three decisive fixtures. Benfica eliminated
Marseille 3–2 on aggregate in the Europa League round of 16, after a 1–1 home draw and a 2–1 away win secured in extra time. The team then defeated Porto 3–0 in the Taça da Liga final at the
Estádio Algarve, before hosting Braga in a decisive league match at the
Estádio da Luz, which Benfica won 1–0. The month ended with Benfica advancing in the Europa League, winning the Taça da Liga, and extending their lead at the top of the league to six points. April began with a UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie against
Liverpool, where Benfica won the first leg 2–1 at home but lost 4–1 at
Anfield, resulting in elimination from the competition. The team then secured league victories over
Naval 1º de Maio, Sporting,
Académica and
Olhanense, moving closer to the league title. On 2 May, Benfica visited
Estádio do Dragão to face Porto, knowing that a win would secure the championship. However, the match ended in a 3–1 defeat, delaying their celebrations. One week later, Benfica clinched their 32nd league title with a victory over
Rio Ave. ==Competitions==