Benfica ready to kick off Europa League action Thursday

Benfica will kick off their Europa League campaign this Thursday when they travel to Switzerland to take on St. Gallen in a first leg contest before returning home on July 30 for the second leg.

Benfica enter the competitions second round qualifying stage and will be looking to advance to the third round with a victory where they would face the loser of the Sturm Graz and Hearts, Champions League two leg qualifier in the third qualifying round.

If Benfica were not to get past St. Gallen they would drop to the Conference League were they would take on the winner of Sheriff or Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the 3rd qualifying round.

Benfica are playing their earliest competitive match ever for a UEFA competition which is quite shocking for a club that came off an undefeated league season. Thanks to Torreense's triumph in the Taca de Portugal they took away the Eagles automatic entry to the league phase of the competition.

Benfica poised to secure Jhon Duran on loan from Al-Nassr

Benfica are on the verge of landing Colombian striker Jhon Duran on a season-long loan from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. The 22-year-old striker, known for his explosive pace, physicality and clinical finishing, could provide a dynamic option in the Portuguese League as Benfica looks to bolster their attacking options up front.

Details of the deal indicate that Al-Nassr will continue to cover a significant portion of Duran’s high salary, reportedly in the region of €15.3 million annually, with Benfica assuming a smaller share. This arrangement helps the Eagles manage their wage bill while securing a high potential talent. Reports suggest the loan may include a buy option, though it will not be a mandatory buy option.

Duran’s career has been nomadic yet productive. He began at Envigado in Colombia, scoring 9 goals in 47 appearances, before moving to MLS side Chicago Fire . A £18m switch to Aston Villa in January 2023 saw him net 20 goals in 78 matches, often as a high-impact substitute, which included strong Champions League showings.

In January 2025, he joined Al-Nassr for €77 million to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, scoring 12 goals in 18 appearances before being loaned to Fenerbahce and Zenit last season.  At just 22, Duran brings versatility, aerial ability and is a proven goal scoring threat. For Benfica, this move represents a low-risk, high-reward gamble on a player with international experience with Colombia and success in Lisbon could revive his trajectory back toward the elite level.  

Marco Silva asks Benfica President for reinforcements at certain positions

Newly appointed Benfica coach Marco Silva has urged club president Rui Costa to act swiftly in the transfer market, insisting on three key reinforcements to challenge for domestic and European success next season. Silva, who took charge of the Eagles with high expectations following his previous managerial spells, has identified critical areas needing immediate improvement.

The Portuguese tactician is specifically targeting a central midfielder to control games, an explosive winger capable of stretching opposition defenses and a striker to boost the team’s goal-scoring output in a starting or coming off the bench role. Silva believes the current squad, while talented, lacks the depth and balance required to compete at the highest level against rivals FC Porto and Sporting, as well as in the Europa League competition. President Rui Costa, known for his strategic approach to squad building, is now under pressure to deliver.

With the summer transfer window open, Benfica fans eagerly await announcements on reinforcements as Silva aims to stamp his tactical identity on the team. The club’s ambition remains clear for the 2026-27 season, reclaim the Portuguese League title along with any other trophy in Portugal and look to make a deep run in Europe. Silva’s requests could shape Benfica’s campaign significantly.