Two Nights at the Luz: Derby Passion and a Champions League Dream
December delivered two unforgettable nights at Estádio da Luz — nights that reminded me why football photography is as much about feeling as it is about timing.
Within the space of five days, I had the privilege of covering two very different, yet equally powerful matches for DeFodi Images: the eternal derby between Benfica and Sporting on the 5th of December, followed by my very first UEFA Champions League match, Benfica vs Napoli. Same stadium, same badge on my accreditation — but two distinct stories written under the floodlights of Lisbon.
The Derby: Benfica vs Sporting — 5 December
Benfica’s Vangelis Palvlidis and Sporting’s Hidemasa Morita battling for the ball
The Clássico is never just another match. Arriving early at the Estádio da Luz, you could already feel the tension building long before kick-off. The streets filled, scarves rose, and the sound inside the stadium grew heavier with every passing minute.
Covering this match meant being fully locked in from the first whistle. As always when working for DeFodi Images, the goal was clear: arrive early, anticipate moments, and deliver images in real time. Derby matches don’t wait for you — every tackle, every reaction, every celebration can define the night.
From the choreography in the stands to the raw emotion on the pitch, the atmosphere was electric. I remember constantly reminding myself to breathe — to take it all in while staying sharp. Derby matches leave no room for hesitation, and every second felt loaded with meaning.
This was one of those nights where instinct takes over. You stop thinking about the noise, the pressure, the rivalry — and everything narrows down to what’s happening through the viewfinder.
A First Taste of the Champions League: Benfica vs Napoli
Estádio da Luz set for UEFA Champions League match
Just five days later, I was back at the Luz — but this time, for something completely new.
The UEFA Champions League has a different energy. The branding, the anthem, the pace of the game — everything feels elevated. Knowing this was my first-ever Champions League match made the early arrival even more special. Walking into the stadium with that familiar mix of nerves and excitement is something I won’t forget.
Once again, I was shooting and transmitting in real time for DeFodi Images, but this time it felt different. Knowing this was my first Champions League match added an extra layer of emotion — every frame felt important, every moment something I might remember for years. Benfica vs Napoli brought intensity, quality football, and a crowd fully aware of the significance of European nights.
The roar when the Champions League anthem played was something else entirely. Standing pitchside, camera in hand, I had one of those rare moments where you realise just how far you’ve come — and how special it is to be part of a night like this.
Later, seeing images from that Champions League match published by outlets such as The Mirror and Manchester Evening News was incredibly rewarding. It was a quiet confirmation that the work done under pressure, in real time, on nights like these truly matters.
Two Matches, One Unforgettable Week
What ties these two games together isn’t just the stadium or the dates on the calendar — it’s how personal both experiences felt. The atmosphere, the trust placed in me by DeFodi Images, and that quiet feeling of being exactly where I’m meant to be in that moment.
From the fierce rivalry of a Lisbon derby to the prestige of a Champions League night, these were two experiences that pushed me, inspired me, and reminded me why I do this in the first place. Having images from both matches picked up by major international media only adds to the motivation to keep going.
December gave me two nights at the Estádio da Luz I’ll never forget — and hopefully, many more to come.