Benfica competed domestically in the Primeira Divisão, the Taça de Portugal and the Supertaça, and participated in the European Cup after winning the previous league.

[14] The crucial Clássico on 11 March 1990 ended with a draw, keeping Porto with a three-point lead, nearly closing the title race.

The quarter-final matches with Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk fell within a busy schedule, but despite that, Benfica flew past the Ukrainian with three-nil win.

He have a 49% chance of going through" [13] The home reception to Marseille saw 120 thousand fans fill Estádio da Luz to witness Vata score the sole goal that qualified Benfica.

[19] Several players immediately surrounded referee Marcel Van Langenhove protesting that the goal was scored with the hand, but he disregarded their appeals.

[19] Assistant manager Toni gave his opinion: "Vata was pulled and he could not fight for the ball – unable to use his chest or head, he used his hand.

Eriksson regretted the loss and explained his strategy: "It consisted of closely marking Gullit and van Basten, so they would be offside while simultaneously paying attention to the midfielders.

[25] Win Draw Loss Postponed [27] The squad for the season consisted of the players listed in the tables below, as well as staff members Sven-Göran Eriksson (manager) and Toni (assistant manager), Eusébio (assistant manager), José Capristano (director of football), Shéu (Secretary of football department), Bernardo Vasconcelos (doctor), Amílcar Miranda (doctor), Asterónimo Araújo (masseur), António Gaspar (physiotherapist), Jorge Castelo (scout), Luís Santos (kit man), José Luís (kit man).