Benfica remain unbeaten in league but sit third

Benfica sit in a rare and odd position, having yet to lose in league action after 24 weeks in the season but the club sit in third place seven points behind league leaders FC Porto, thanks to seven draws that have cost the club fourteen points.

Benfica are joined at this stage of the season by Fenerbahce, Slavia Prague and FK Vadar as clubs that have played at minimum 20 games in their respective leagues and remain undefeated in their league campaigns but surprisingly Fenerbahce are also not in top spot in Turkey at this stage of the season.

Benfica have a huge home game this coming weekend in an O Classico as they host league leaders FC Porto with anything short of a victory being considered a blown opportunity with just 10 games left in the season and the club looking to cut the deficit for top spot.  

The last time a club went undefeated in a season and failed to capture the league title was during the 2007-08 season when Red Star Belgrade lost the title to rivals Partizan Belgrade. Benfica did have an undefeated season in 1977-78 and also lost the league title that year on a tie breaker to FC Porto.

Benfica need to find attacking midfielder this summer

Benfica have lacked a midfielder with line breaking passes this season and need to find this addition this summer during the transfer window if they are to add another form of threat into their attack.

The club was hoping this player would have been summer addition Georgiy Sudakov but the 23 year old Ukrainian international has been used in various positions due to injuries and has not provided what was expected when the club acquired him from Shakhtar Donetsk.

A player that could add what the club needs is soon to be 25 year old Croatian international Toni Fruk, he currently applies his trade with HNK Rijeka and has been a key member of the squad's run to the UEFA Conference League round of 16, scoring four goals in the competition.

Benfica may have to pay more than double what Rijeka paid Fiorentina this past summer to acquire Fruk which was €4 million. In over 2,827 minutes of action, Fruk has scored 13 goals across all competitions while providing three helpers.

Fruk is the classic #10, a left footed play maker, he acts as the primary creative engine from the midfield with excellent close control. Fruk is considered the modern attacking midfielder of today. Benfica's troubling season has seen them fail to move the ball effectively through the middle of the field and Fruk could be the solution to solving this piece.

Benfica out of Champions League after gutsy performance

In the electrifying second leg of the Champions League playoff, Benfica showcased sheer guts and determination against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Benfica struck first in the 14th minute when Rafa Silva tapped in the opening goal, leveling the aggregate and stunning the hosts but that lasted all but two minutes as Real responded swiftly with Aurelien Tchouameni's equalizer.
 

Benfica though refused to crumble and they continued to press relentlessly, creating chances and testing Thibaut Courtois, embodying the fighting spirit that defines the club but Vinicius Junior's 80th-minute winner sealed a 2-1 defeat and a 3-1 aggregate win as Real advanced to the last 16.

Benfica showed their potential against the Spanish powerhouse but it was not meant to be and they exit the Champions Leagues with €53.1 million in their coffers and will now turn their attention to the Portuguese League as the look to fight for the title.