Thursday, February 27, 2020

Benfica draw not enough to advance in Europa League

Benfica Blog
Benfica fought tooth and nail but could just not get to the round of 16 in the Europa League with a draw on this disastrous night for Portuguese football. Benfica opened the scoring just nine minutes into the encounter bringing the Estadio da Luz fans to their feet when Pizzi would find the far right corner giving Benfica advantage based on away goals due to their 2-1 defeat to Shakhtar in the first leg. That advantage would last barely three minutes with a Ruben Dias own goal bringing the game level. The central defender would make amends scoring nine minutes before the half to give Benfica the 2-1 lead and having the game set to go into additional extra time if it remained that way. Rafa Silva would then take advantage of a Shakhtar back end error to give Benfica a 3-1 lead just two minutes into the second half and once again the club had the advantage to move into the round of 16 but again Benfica failed to hold this advantage for very long as just four minutes later Shakhtar would bring the game to within one and give the Ukrainian side advantage on away goals. Shakhtar would then tie the game up at 3-3 with a goal at the 71st minute mark which basically ended the hopes of the Lisbon club advancing. Benfica would be eliminated 5-4 on aggregate over two legs in what was a horrible Europa League campaign for Portuguese Football. Benfica would be joined by FC Porto, Sporting and Braga at the exit door as Portugal's clubs all crashed out of the tournament which have many questioning the state of skill and talent currently in the league.

Benfica squad for second leg encounter against Shakhtar

Benfica Blog
Benfica go into their second leg showdown against Ukraine side Shakhtar Donetsk at the Estadio da Luz coming off their first victory in four games and looking to avenge their 2-1 first leg loss last week. Benfica need a victory and a goal to have any chance of moving into the round of 16 and are hoping to take the momentum of their latest victory to heart. Benfica play Shakhtar today at 8pm WEST and they will dress 18 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl, David Tavares

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Seferovic, Jota, Dyego Sousa

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Benfica Player Profile: Nuno Gomes

Benfica Blog

Nuno Gomes (Striker)

Years Active (1994-2014)

Benfica Career (1997-2000) (2002-2011)

Born: July 5, 1976 (43 years old)

Benfica Blog
Nuno Gomes
Nuno Gomes started his playing career with Benfica in 1997 after making the move from Boavista where he was a member of the clubs youth teams since 1997. Nuno Gomes spent three seasons at Benfica scoring over 60 goals in over 100 club appearances before moving to Italian side Fiorentina in 2000 for €17M. Gomes returned to Benfica in 2002 on a free transfer after Fiorentina were relegated in Italy.


Gomes return to Benfica did not go as well at the start as his first with the striker battling a series of injuries from 2002 to 2005 and appearing in less then 70 games. Gomes though was a member of the clubs league winning squad in 2004/05 their first league championship in over 10 years. Gomes would add an additional six trophies during his time with Benfica while scoring 166 goals in 399 games across all competitions.

Gomes International career was just as successful being named to the Euro 2000 starting eleven all star squad and scoring 29 goals during his time as a member of the senior side to sit fifth all time. Gomes called it a career in 2013 after future stops at Braga (2011-12) and Blackburn (2012-13) and returned to Benfica as a director of the clubs academy before parting ways in 2017.

Monday, February 24, 2020

Benfica snap winless skid to regain top spot

Benfica Blog
Benfica finally snap a four game winless skid across all competitions dating back to February 4ths Taca de Portugal semi-final game with a narrow 1-0 victory over Gil Vicente in Week 22 action. The victory moves Benfica back into top spot leaping over FC Porto and remaining one point ahead of their nearest and only rival to the title this season. Benfica got an early goal from Carlos Vinicius who headed home a Taarabt cross for his league leading 15th goal of the season at the 15 minute mark. The lead was almost surrendered two minutes later but Gil Vicente's Baraye missed a golden opportunity to equalize. Gil Vicente was the lively of the two clubs for most of the middle part of the half and if not for some stellar goalkeeping by Vlachodimos Benfica's lead would have vanished. Carlos Vinicius would then score his second of the game but his goal would not stand and was called back offside at the 35th minute. Then just before the half Vinicius' out reached leg would not get to the low cross placed across the crease by defender Ruben Dias and Benfica went into the half with a 1-0 lead. Benfica's Taarabt almost doubled the clubs lead at the 66th minute mark but his left footed shot would clang off the crossbar and out. Vlachodimos would come up with one more big save when he stopped a close range shot by Hugo Vieira at the 73rd minute, Gil Vicente's last real threat of the game as Benfica held firm for the 1-0 victory. Benfica will now turn their attention to Thursdays second leg Europa League encounter against Shakthar Donetsk at home as the club looks to overturn a 2-1 first leg loss.

Benfica join Porto in race to land Tondela right back

Benfica Blog
Benfica have added their name along with rivals FC Porto in the chase to land Tondela right back Fahd Moufi. The 23 year old who's current contract expires on June 30 not only has the Portuguese giants interested in his services, with clubs Nantes, Real Betis and Sevilla also in the picture. It's been reported that Porto have already had their first offer to sign Moufi rejected by the French born right back who has been a member of Tondela since the 2017/18 season. Moufi who currently earns €70,000 per season is looking for a substantial raise increase from any potential buyer that is looking to land his services for next season. Moufi has appeared in 40 games across all competitions with Tondela, scoring once and adding one assist but 19 of Moufi's Tondela games have come during this current season. Benfica are interested in adding some insurance to the right back position with current starter Andre Almeida inching closer to 30 years of age and current back up Tomas Tavares yet to hit 19 years of age.

Sunday, February 23, 2020

Benfica squad for Gil Vicente road game

Benfica Blog
Benfica for the first time in 2020 are currently not in top spot in Portugal and need a victory tomorrow at Barcelos to regain it from FC Porto. Benfica are currently on a four game winless run across all competitions and with a midweek Europa League game on the horizon the club will look for a confidence building win in Week 22 action. Benfica play Gil Vicente tomorrow at 7:30pm WEST and they will dress 18 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Seferovic, Jota, Dyego Sousa

Friday, February 21, 2020

Benfica need to get back to the basics

Benfica Blog
Benfica are now winless in their last four games across all competitions for the first time in the Bruno Lage era and will need to get out of Week 22 with victory to maintain their league lead and to rebuild their confidence heading into the second leg of Europa League action. Benfica started the month on a high with a seven point league atop the Portuguese Liga while on a 17 game undefeated run across all competitions. Benfica's last loss happened in Champions League play to Lyon on November 5th but boy what a difference two weeks can make. Benfica now sit atop Portugal with just a one point lead over second place FC Porto after losing their last two league games and need a victory at home for a chance to advance in Europa League play after losing the first leg on the road to Shakhtar earlier this week. Benfica look like a team out of ideas and a club that is out of gas and needing a spark. Bruno Lage needs to rest players this weekend and also requires a victory but getting back to the basics might just be what the club needs.

 
Lage should look at giving over used players like Pizzi and Grimaldo a rest this weekend against Gil Vicente and start youngster Nuno Tavares and Chiquinho in their places. Lage should also reinsert Samaris into the starting eleven as the Greek International would give the club the spark from his passionate play, a spark that the club currently lacks.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Benfica escape Ukraine with narrow loss against Shakhtar

Benfica Blog
In frigid temperatures in Donetsk, Benfica escaped a poor first half showing to leave Ukraine with a narrow 2-1 loss and earning the all important away goal as they travel home to face Shakhtar next week at the Estadio da Luz needing only a low scoring victory to advance into the Europa League round of 16. Shakhtar who had not played a competitive game after a long winter break since December 14 was the livelier of the two clubs as Benfica battled temperatures hovering around zero celsius during the game. Shakhtar got the first good scoring chance at the 20 minute mark but Junior Moraes had his close range shot turned aside by Benfica keeper Vlachodimos. Shakhtar then thought they had opened the scoring at the 22nd minute mark but a Marlos goal was rightly ruled off side by VAR. Shakhtar continued the onslaught and just two minues later Vlachodimos came up big once again turning aside a Kovalenko howitzer as Benfica remained pinned back for most of the half. Pizzi would get Benfica's best chance of the first half sending a shot just wide of the post as the half neared but Benfica went into halftime lucky to not be down by a pair of goals and without registering a shot on target during the half. 


The second half started much the same as the first with Shakhtar pressing and at the 50th minute Ismaily ringed one of the far post as the game remained scoreless. Alan Patrick would finally break the deadlock at the 56th minute finishing off a pretty tic tac toe passing play to give Shakhtar a much deserved 1-0 lead but Benfica would finally get a break and were awarded a penalty on a strange call that saw a Tavares goal called back after Cervi was brought down in the box but instead of playing advantage and letting the goal stand the Scottish referee overturned the goal siting an offside and Pizzi would then convert from the spot bringing the game level 1-1 at the 66 minute mark. Ruben Dias would then lose a battle for the ball just outside the box to Taison and Kovalenko would make him pay finishing off a pretty pass by Junior Morais as Shakhtar regained their lead just five minutes after losing it. Grimaldo would then whip a shot on goal that was turned aside by Shakhtar keeper Pyatov as Benfica looked for the equalizer but that would by as close as they got losing 2-1 to Shakhtar and going home to the Estadio da Luz for the second leg next week needing a victory to have any chance of advancing to the round of 16.

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Benfica continue in talks to land Freiburg defender

Benfica Blog
Benfica continue in their talks with German side Freiburg in regards to landing central defender Robin Koch. The clubs spoke originally during the winter transfer window but were unable to come to an agreement for the 23 year old but with Benfica likely to lose current starting defender Ruben Dias during the summer months the club is looking to shore up a key position. The Eagles feel that Koch is the perfect replacement for Dias but have currently balked at Freiburg's €20M price tag with Benfica willing to go as high as €15M for the German nationals services. Koch joined Freiburg in the summer of 2017 from Kaiserlautern and has appeared in 24 games across all competitions this season scoring once. Koch is also versatile and can be used as a defensive central midfielder starting six of this seasons 24 games in that role. Benfica are hoping an agreement between the clubs can be done quickly with other European clubs also looking at Koch's services.

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Benfica release squad for Europa League game against Shakhtar

Benfica Blog
Benfica head to the Ukraine playing their worse soccer since Bruno Lage took over at the club in the managerial role last January as the club looks to snap a three games winless streak that has seen the club go from a comfortable seven point lead in the league to just one point. Benfica are hoping to get off on the right foot as their Europa League campaign gets under way in the round of 32. Benfica play Shakhtar on Thursday at 5:55pm WEST and they will dress 18 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin, Mile Svilar

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Davis Tavares

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Seferovic, Jota, Dyego Sousa

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Benfica stumble again in league play at home to Braga

Benfica Blog
Benfica's poor form continues in a gut wrenching 1-0 loss at the Estadio da Luz to Braga. Benfica who have now lost two straight league games and are winless in three games for the first time under Bruno Lage when we count their midweek Taca de Portugal game, have turned a potential ten point league lead atop Portugal just last week to a potential one point league lead depending on the result of today's FC Porto-Guimaraes clash. Braga under new manager and former Benfica player Ruben Amorim walked into Lisbon and did something that had not been completed in 65 years in league play and that was earn a victory away from home sending Benfica into crisis mode. 



Saturday, February 15, 2020

Benfica squad for Braga tilt

Benfica Blog
Benfica look to snap a two game winless streak as they get set to host Braga at the Estadio da Luz later today. Benfica who drew at Famalicao in Taca de Portugal action after losing to FC Porto in the Classico in Week 20 are hoping to get back to their winning ways and avoid Bruno Lage's first ever three game winless streak since he took over at the club. Benfica play Braga today at 6pm WEST and they will dress 18 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Seferovic, Jota, Dyego Sousa

Friday, February 14, 2020

Benfica want to increase Vinicius buy out clause

Benfica Blog
Benfica are ready to reward striker Carlos Vinicius for his superb season with the club with a new contract, the new contract would increase Vinicius salary and more importantly increase his current buy out clause from €100M to €120M as they look to protect their investment from some of Europe's bigger clubs. Vinicius who joined the club in the summer from Napoli for €17M was an after though with the club, opening the season as the clubs third option in the striker position but poor form by last seasons leading scorer Haris Seferovic and highly regarded new acquisition and recently departed Raul de Tomas gave Vinicius the opportunity to more playing time and the striker did not disappoint. Vinicius has scored 19 goals in 30 games across all competitions while setting up another 12 goals in his debut season with Benfica.
Benfica Blog
Vincius is currently the leading scorer in the Portuguese League with 14 goals and Benfica know that some of Europe's bigger clubs have taken notice of the season that the 24 year old is having. One of the clubs that has been most linked with an acquisition of Vinicius in the summer is current defending Champions League winners Liverpool, the Reds are said to be looking at Vinicius as a potential replacement for current striker Roberto Firmino who could be on his way out after the season. Benfica are aware that it will be difficult to hang onto Vinicius if he continues his fine form but the club would be ready to cash in on another potential €100M+ sale for the second summer in a row.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Gabriel out of action for indefinite period of time

Benfica Blog
Benfica announced yesterday that midfielder Gabriel will miss an indefinite amount of time and possibly the rest of the season due to a vision related issue as Gabriel has been diagnosed with sixth nerve palsy which is a disorder associated with the dysfunction of the cranial nerve which is responsible for causing contraction of the lateral rectus muscle to abduct (movement of the eye causing double vision). Gabriel informed the club the day after the Famalicao first leg Taca de Portugal encounter that he was having problems with the vision of his left eye. The club immediately began to run tests which are now complete and have ruled out more serious concerns but the players timeline to return to action is unknown as the club looks to avoid any additional risks by rushing Gabriel back into regular game action. Gabriel continues to attend club practices and do the physical work that he deems appropriate. This is the third time that the midfielder has been on the injured list since joining the club last summer having already suffered a knee injury last season and a ligament rupture earlier this season. Benfica will lean to Julian Weigl, Florentino, Samaris and Taarabt in the middle of the field with Gabriel's absence.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Benfica to meet FC Porto in Taca de Portugal Final

Benfica Blog
Benfica and FC Porto will meet in this seasons Taca de Portugal Final on May 24, 2020 at the Jamor after both clubs got past their semi-final opponents this week to set up one more Classico this season and their first meeting in the Taca de Portugal Final since 2003-04 in which Benfica defeated FC Porto 2-1 in additional extra time. Benfica moved into the finals for the first time since 2017 with a 3-2 win and 1-1 draw versus Famalicao over two legs, while FC Porto won 3-0 and drew 1-1 against second division club Academico Viseu. FC Porto will be returning to Taca de Portugal Final hoping to make amends for last seasons penalty shootout loss to Sporting. Benfica and FC Porto will be facing off in the Taca de Portugal Final for the eleventh time in the clubs histories with Benfica holding the edge over Porto by winning nine of the ten previous encounters. Benfica will be looking to make amends for the two regular season losses they have suffered to FC Porto as both clubs battle for the Portuguese League crown once again this year.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Benfica squad set for second leg Taca game against Famalicao

Benfica Blog
Benfica are set for their second leg Taca de Portugal encounter against Famalicao after scratching out a victory in additional time 3-2 in the first leg. Benfica are coming off their first loss to a Portuguese club since August of 2019 after losing in the Classico to rivals FC Porto over the weekend and Benfica will need to have better form if they are to advance to the Taca de Portugal Finals. Benfica play Famalicao today at 8:45pm WEST and they will dress 18 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Seferovic, Jota, Dyego Sousa

Monday, February 10, 2020

Benfica already cash in bonus on Raul de Tomas

Benfica Blog
Benfica have already earned a cash bonus on this winters sale of striker Raul de Tomas to Espanyol as the club will receive an additional €500,000 more on top of the €20M sale after the striker scored his fifth goal for Espanyol in only five appearances. De Tomas who was a complete bust in his short time at Benfica scored only three times in 18 appearances across all competitions and did not score once for the club in league play. De Tomas had joined Benfica in the summer of 2019 from Real Madrid for €20M to much fan fare as the heir apparent to replace a retiring Jonas but things did not work that way for De Tomas or the club and he was sold just six months after joining the Lisbon side. Benfica can now say that they have made a profit on the De Tomas sale with a potential to add another €1.5M in bonuses.

Benfica ask Portuguese Football Federation and Liga for foreign referees

Benfica Blog
Benfica officials are furious with the officiating that they feel cost the club the game in their O Classico encounter against FC Porto over the weekend. Benfica feel the officiating crew of Artur Soares Dias made several errors during the game that lead to defeat and are asking the Portuguese Football Federation and Liga Portugal for foreign referees to officiate both clubs league games until the end of the season. Benfica also feel that VAR made an error on the penalty call against Ferro in the first half of the game that resulted in Porto taking a 2-1 lead. Benfica feel that five moments in particular during the game effected the result of the game:

1- At the 4 minute mark an aggressive play by Porto winger Marega against Taarabt which cost the player to lose teeth passed completely unscathed.

2- The club felt that the yellow card handed to Julian Weigl at the 30 minute mark should not have been given as the player failed to touch the Porto player who dove. Benfica also felt that the yellow cards given to almost all of the clubs midfielders in the first half which included Pizzi and Taarabt effected the clubs performance while only one Porto midfielder was carded in the half.

3- Benfica claim that the penalty awarded was unfair and images show that Tiquinho pushed Ferro away causing the player to fall forward with arms out causing the ball to be headed by the Porto striker into the players arm.



Sunday, February 9, 2020

Benfica drop Classico with poor first half

Benfica Blog
Benfica drop points in the O Classico once again this season losing for the second time this campaign with both of those loses coming to rivals FC Porto. Benfica came into the game ready to take a commanding lead atop Portugal as a victory would have the Encarnados up by ten points on second place Porto but a poor first half would see their advantage actually shrink to four points and turn this season back into a race for the Portuguese title.

Bruno Lage decided to make one change to Week 19's winning squad with the reintroduction of Chiquinho into the starting eleven at the secondary striker position. The inclusion came at the expense of Franco Cervi, as Rafa would drop from playing alongside Carlos Vinicius into the Argentinian midfielders left spot. This poor decision by Lage would come back to haunt the club with all of Porto's goals created down the left side of the field with Jesus Corona and Marega pushing play.


The lack of defensive help from Cervi down the left side of the field for Grimaldo was exactly what was missing in their first half encounter and Lage seems to not have learned from this error which would not be the only tactic he would get wrong in this encounter. Benfica would come out flat to start the first half and FC Porto almost opened the scoring when a Luis Diaz cross would be sent just wide of the left post from a Pepe header just seven minutes into the game.

Saturday, February 8, 2020

Benfica squad set for O Classico encounter

Benfica Blog
Benfica are set for their biggest game of the season as they get set to face FC Porto in "O Classico" at Porto's Estadio do Dragao. Benfica will look to open up a ten point lead over the second place northern club as the to combatants lock horns. Benfica will play FC Porto today at 8:30pm WEST and they will dress 18 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Andre Almeida,

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Julian Weigl, Florentino, Samaris

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Seferovic, Jota, Dyego Sousa

Friday, February 7, 2020

Benfica with eyes on Montenegro midfielder

Benfica Blog
Benfica scouts were in Algarve recently watching a friendly between Swedish club Norrkoping and Danish side Brondby on January 31 with their eyes set on Montenegro International Sead Haksabanovic. The 20 year old midfielder who is on loan from West Ham with the Swedish side until the summer joined the Hammers from Halmstad in 2017. Haksabanovic who regularly plays the left midfield spot that is currently occupied by Rafa Silva and Franco Cervi appeared in 34 games across all competitions for Norrkoping scoring eight goals and setting up another eight. The acquisition of Haksabanovic could mean Franco Cervi's time with the club is over as he has been linked with a return back to his native Argentina to join Boca Juniors. Mexican side Tigres has also revealed that they will be in the race to land Cervi once the transfer window re-opens in the summer and Benfica's interest in Haksabanovic makes sense with the potential departure of the hard working Cervi.

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Jardel set to miss two months due to injury

Benfica Blog
Benfica have released information on the extent of the injury suffered to captain and central defender Jardel during the clubs Taca de Portugal semi-final game against Famalicao. Jardel suffered an injury in the first half of the game to his internal lateral ligament of his right knee and the injury will see him unavailable to the club for the next two months. Jardel has only appeared in 10 games across all competitions this season as the veteran defender has taken a back seat to current starters Ruben Dias and Ferro. Jardel has been a member of Benfica since the winter of 2011 and has appeared in 258 total games for the club, the 33 year old Brazilians career is winding down but the veteran is still counted on by the club to provide the leadership in the locker room to many of the teams young stars and will be missed.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Bruno Lage admits he wanted West Ham keeper

Benfica Blog
Benfica manager Bruno Lage in an earlier interview this week in Portugal admitted to being interested in West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski during the January transfer window. The 34 year old Polish keeper joined the Hammers during the summer transfer window of 2018 from Swansea City and has been West Ham's best player ever since. Fabianski's heroics have not gone unnoticed and Lage was hoping to land the veteran as insurance in case of an injury to current starting keeper Vlachodimos. Benfica have been on the hunt for a veteran keeper since the summer but have not been able to acquire one at a club friendly price. Fabianski could be available in the summer months as West Ham fight to avoid relegation and a fall to the second division would surely see the Polish International on the move. Benfica currently have youngster Ivan Zlobin as the clubs number two as Lage's hopes for a veteran went unfulfilled.

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Benfica get late marker for Taca win over Famalicao

Benfica Blog
Benfica escaped with a 3-2 victory in a hard fought first leg encounter against Famalicao in their Taca de Portugal semi-final game. Benfica made four changes to their winning squad from Week 19 resting Ferro, Weigl, Rafa and Vinicius and inserting Jardel, Gabriel, Chiquinho and Seferovic in their places. The first half saw both clubs come close to opening the scoring with their close encounters going wide of the others respective net and Famalicao's keeper Vana came up with a big stop, turning aside Pizzi's free kick as the clubs went into the half scoreless. Benfica opened the scoring eight minutes into the half when Pizzi would convert a penalty after a Seferovic cross was hand balled by defender Riccieli but that lead was short lived as just five minutes later Pedro Goncalves would equalize after a scramble in front of Benfica's net. Famalicao would then take the lead on the counter attack as Pedro Goncalves turned playmaker and found a streaking Toni Martinez who broke in a alone and had his low shot get past Benfica keeper Vlachodimos. It was then Benfica's turn to equalize quickly as just six minutes later Rafa Silva would bury a Carlos Vinicius rebound to make the game 2-2 as the two substitutes clicked quickly after entering the game. Benfica would then seal the victory in additional time as Grimaldo's corner kick would find the head of Gabriel and he would make no mistake smashing home the winner to give Benfica the slim victory in the first leg, the two clubs will meet again next week at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao on February 11 as one club looks to move into the Taca de Portugal Finals.

Benfica squad for Famalicao Taca game

Benfica are set to take on Famalicao in the first leg of the Taca de Portugal semi-final at the Estadio da Luz as they look to advance to the Final of the tournament for the first time since 2017. Benfica will play Famalicao today at 7:15pm WEST and they will dress 18 players from the list below.


Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Jardel, Andre Almeida,

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Gabriel, Florentino

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Seferovic, Jota

Monday, February 3, 2020

Winter Transfer market moves by Benfica

Benfica Blog
The winter transfer market is officially closed and Benfica have seen players come in and players go out during the transfer period as the club forges ahead into the final half of the season. Benfica currently lead the race for the Portuguese title and are also in the semi-finals of the Taca de Portugal and the Round of 32 of the Europa League and hope that their changes lead to success in all competitions. Here is a round up of what Benfica did during the winter transfer market with their main squad.


In:

Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund) Purchase €20M
Dyego Sousa (Shenzhen FC) Loan
Yony Gonzalvez (Free Transfer) 

Out:

Raul de Tomas (Espanyol) Sold €20M 
Lisandro Lopez (Boca Juniors) Sold €3M
Gedson Fernandes (Tottenham) Loan Fee €4.5M
Caio Lucas (Sharjah FC) Loan Fee €1.5M
Ljubomir Fejsa (Alaves) Loan
German Conti (Atlas) Loan

Sunday, February 2, 2020

Benfica agree deal for Corinthians winger in summer

Benfica Blog
Benfica and Corinthians have agreed to a summer move for winger Pedrinho according to reports coming out of Portugal. Benfica who have been looking for a winger to play the role of summer departure Eduardo Salvio are said to have come to an agreement for the 21 year old right winger to join in the club in the summer in exchange for €20M plus the loan of recently acquired central defender Yony Gonzalvez. Benfica chose to not have Pedrinho join the club during the winter transfer window instead leaving the youngster in Brazil as he trains with the U23 national side in preparation for this summers Olympic games. Details of the acquisition by Benfica are still not fully complete as Corinthians only hold 70% of Pedrinho's playing rights and it has not been reported if Benfica would be acquiring the full 100% value of Pedrinho in the deal. Pedrinho who appeared in 36 games across all competitions for Corinthians last season, scored seven goals while setting up another four helpers. Benfica manager Bruno Lage has been waiting for a right winger for some time and the club looks set to provide Lage with a coveted piece to his player puzzle.