Benfica need a victory in O Classico against FC Porto

As the 2025-26 Portuguese League season reaches its critical phase, Benfica faces a pivotal "O Classico" against arch-rivals FC Porto this Sunday, March 8, at the Estadio da Luz. Entering Week 25 in a 34 week season, the Eagles simply cannot afford to drop points if they hope to challenge for the title.

Currently sitting in third place with 58 points from 24 matches (17 wins, 7 draws, 0 losses), Benfica trails leaders FC Porto (65 points) and second-place Sporting (61 points). A win would narrow the gap, especially with Benfica's impressive unbeaten streak and solid defense, conceding just 14 goals in the league this season.

FC Porto holds a historical edge in these encounters, beyond points, this match is about momentum and morale going into the final few weeks of the season. A Benfica defeat could widen the divide, allowing their rivals to pull further move away. For Benfica fans worldwide, this is a statement game as a victory here would reignite their title drive shrinking Porto's lead to four points.

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.