Benfica went into the match as the Taça da Liga title holder, having won the previous two finals, in2009 and2010, while this was the first ever Paços de Ferreira appearance in the decisive game. Both teams started at difference stages in the competition — Paços de Ferreira in the second round, as part of the six last teams from theprevious Primeira Liga and two promoted teams fromlast year's Liga de Honra, and Benfica in the third round, comprising the faction of the top eight Primeira Liga teams from the last season. After overcomingLeixões in a two-legged fixture, following an away draw and a home victory, Paços de Ferreira topped Group C, composed by the twoMinho rivals,Braga andVitória de Guimarães, as well asArouca. Benfica won Group B, which includedMarítimo,Desportivo das Aves andOlhanense. The two teams won their respective groups with the perfect score of three victories out of three matches. In the semi-finals, Benfica hosted and won overLisbon rivalsSporting CP, with a late winner coming in the last moments of stoppage time, after being one goal down during the first half. Paços de Ferreira played atNacional's stadium and won an entertaining match that ended in a 4–3 result, controlling the scoreline during much part of the second half due to an early two-goal advantage.
