Sunday, May 31, 2020

Benfica's potential starting line up against Tondela

Benfica Blog
With Benfica set to return to action on Thursday at home against Tondela, reports out of Portugal have stated that Bruno Lage looks to have his starting eleven picked and ready when league play recommences. Lage is said to be looking to go with Vlachodimos, Andre Almeida, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Alex Grimaldo, Gabriel, Julian Weigl, Rafa Silva, Pizzi, Taarabt and Carlos Vinicius in the starting eleven against Tondela. The long layoff has benefited the club when it's come to it's injury list with the return to action of players Andre Almeida and Gabriel who were out of the lineup at the time of stoppage. Their return to the lineup will see Lage experiment with midfielder Taarabt in the secondary striker/attacking midfielder role along side striker Carlos Vinicius. Benfica have ten games remaining in the season and will look to kickoff their return to play with a win over Tondela.

Friday, May 29, 2020

Benfica to have a piece of members in stadium

Benfica Blog
Benfica have let it be known through their social media channels that they will place a club scarf on all the stadium seats during their final five league home games. The initiative by the club wants the scarves to be sent in by the clubs members who can mail in their club scarves, drop them off at the clubs official stores or through Casas do Benfica. Benfica has labelled the campaign "We don't lower our arms" and look to replicate the chilling moment when the clubs hymn is sung by the fans by having a piece of every club member represented at the games.



Thursday, May 28, 2020

Tavares over Almeida as league gets ready to restart

Benfica Blog
With Benfica set to return to action on June 4 at home against Tondela, Bruno Lage has a decision to make when it comes to the starting right back position. Andre Almeida the normal starting right back is recovery from an extended lay off due to an ankle injury and has not appeared in a game since the beginning of  February. Almeida is currently a step behind his teammates in pace during training sessions and Lage looks ready to name youngster Tomas Tavares as he clubs right back for next weeks restart game. Almeida has battled injuries all season having appeared in only 17 of the clubs games across all competitions this season while Tavares has appeared in 25. Lage hopes that Almeida will be up to speed as the training sessions continue and hope to have the vice-captain back in his regular spot after a couple of game into the restart.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Benfica being linked with another keeper

Benfica Blog
According to reports from German magazine Kicker, Benfica is being linked with Freiburg starting keeper Alexander Schwolow. Benfica have already held talks in the past with Freiburg about central defender Robin Koch but it is unknown if the Lisbon side discussed Schwolow with the German club at the same time. The 27 year old German keeper is said to have an €8M buy out clause and has also garnered interest from Dutch side Ajax. Benfica are currently in talks with Boavista about acquiring starter Helton Leite but with interest growing in Leite's services from English clubs, Benfica may be looking at a fall back plan if the Leite deal falls through. Schwolow has been with Freiburg since joining their youth side in 2008 and has appeared in 160 career games in goal across all competitions, recording 37 clean sheets.

Monday, May 25, 2020

David Tavares latest tests come back still positive for COVID-19

Benfica Blog
Benfica midfielder David Tavares continues to test positive for COVID-19 and remains away from the club as he awaits to be cleared. Tavares was first reported to have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus on May 8 and is the only player or staff member to have the virus. Benfica this past week returned to training at the Estadio da Luz as the club looks to get comfortable with playing in an empty stadium for the remainder of the season. Benfica is set to kick of the restart to the season on June 4 at home against Tondela.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Benfica looking at Perugia attacking midfielder

Benfica Blog
According to reports out of Italy, Benfica are said to be one of the clubs that are interested in Perugia's attacking midfielder Vlad Dragomir. The 21 year old Romanian is said to be available for a very reasonable €3M due to the hardships that the second division Italian club are facing because of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Dragomir spent three seasons with Arsenal's youth side before joining Perugia in the summer of 2018. The Romanian has appeared in 20 games across all competitions for Perugia setting up three goals and this move by Benfica looks to be a depth move by the club at a reasonable price.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Benfica return to action June 4 as League restarts

Benfica Blog
Benfica get set to resume play in the 2019/20 season with a home game against Tondela on June 4 at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica currently trail FC Porto by one point for top spot in the league with ten rounds of games to go as the Liga Nos looks to finish the season and decide a champion during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Benfica's remaining league games will go as follows:

Home:
June 04 vs Tondela
June 23 vs Santa Clara
July 04 vs Boavista
July 14 vs Guimaraes
July 26 vs Sporting

Away:
June 10  at Portimonense
June 17  at Rio Ave 
June 29  at Maritimo
July 09  at Famalicao 
July 21  at Aves

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Benfica has exclusive Eusebio trademark until 2028

Benfica Blog
Benfica have officially registered the Eusebio trademark with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and has exclusive rights to commercialize various products and services of the "Black Panther" until August 14, 2028. Benfica filed for the trademark on May 30, 2018 but nine months after the application was filed a formal challenge was made against Benfica owning those rights which stalled the officially registration but the club was awarded the decision to the rights in 2019.
Benfica will now proceed with using the Eusebio rights to make various products with the players likeness and name from video games, luggage, clothing, wrapping paper, Christmas ornaments and even animal products like leashes and collars to name a few. Eusebio's family will also reap financial benefits from the proceeds of sales by the club of all Eusebio trademarked products and the club has stated that they would be open to returning the brand back to the Eusebio family before the trademark expiry date if this is what the family wishes in the future.

Eusebio played for Benfica from 1961 to 1975 and appeared in 440 games for the club across all competitions, scoring an astonishing  473 goals to sit atop Benfica's all time goal scoring list. Eusebio won one European Cup and eleven Portuguese League titles in his time with the club and was named the Ballon d'Or winner in 1965.
Eusebio also won the European golden boot on two occasions (1968 and 1973) and was the golden boot winner of World Cup 1966 scoring nine goals in the competition. Eusebio passed away at his home on January 5, 2014 of heart failure he was 71.  

Monday, May 18, 2020

Benfica academy players that could debut with main squad when league resumes

Benfica Blog
With the Portuguese league set to resume on June 4 and with FIFA having approved that a league may use up to five substitutes per game to close off the season, Benfica academy players could see their first set of action with the main club before seasons end.

We take a look at the most likely candidates that could make their debuts when the resumes.

Academy Players:

Tiago Dantas- Dantas made his first team appearance in the League Cup this season but has yet to play a league game for the main club, the talented 19 year old midfielder has been in the Benfica system since 2008.

Goncalo Ramos- The 18 year old striker has moved up the charts into one of the clubs better academy players and has been with the club since 2013, Ramos could add a Joao Felix type of play to the clubs attack.


Benfica Academy Player

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Milan ready to offer Benfica player plus cash for Florentino

Benfica Blog
AC Milan have turned up the heat on their pursuit of 20 year old midfielder Florentino Luis as the Italian club hopes to land the youngster during the summer transfer window. Milan are said to be set to offer Benfica a player on their current roster with Lucas Paqueta's name being mentioned as the most likely candidate to be part of the transaction and €15M cash to land Florentino. Milan have been trying to get Florentino to Italy since the winter transfer market and were trying to negotiate an 18 month loan with a €40M buy out clause attached but Benfica turned the move down as they felt the buyout clause was too low. Milan hope by adding the 22 year old attacking midfielder Paqueta as part of the deal this will entice Benfica to let Florentino join their club. Florentino has appeared in 15 games across all competitions for Benfica registering one assist while Paqueta has appeared in 19 games across all competitions for Milan also adding one assist.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Benfica await decision on Taca de Portugal final

Benfica Blog
The Portuguese Football Federation has set June 4 for league action to resume as they look to conclude the ten remaining games in the season. The Federation has informed both Benfica and FC Porto that the Taca de Portugal Final between both clubs would be played at an undetermined date and location once the league and the clubs are able to agree to a schedule. The Taca which is normally the final game of the Portuguese season and played at Jamor could be played before the seasons final games and due to Jamor Stadium not meeting the requirements set by the Directorate-General of Health. The Federation is looking for alternate stadiums to host the Final with Aveiro's Municipal Stadium and Algarve's Stadium mentioned as potential sites. Benfica will be looking to win their 30th Taca de Portugal title while playing in their 41st title game.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Ruben in place of Ruben rumours start to heat up

Benfica Blog
The reports out of Portugal are starting to pick up steam in what could be a Ruben in place of Ruben scenario taking place at Benfica next season. The Ruben's that are being talked about are current Benfica center back Ruben Dias and Olympiakos center back Ruben Semedo. With Benfica coming to terms that a Ruben Dias departure is imminent next season the club has made the Portuguese International and former Sporting center back Semedo its top target to replace Dias in the middle of the Benfica defense. Olympiakos' loan interest in winger Jota could make a move for Semedo more affordable with reports out of Greece stating the defender could be had for under €10M. Semedo has appeared in 37 games across all competitions for Olympiakos this season, scoring on five occasions. Benfica have said that they would like to see the €100M buy out clause for Dias met before they consider moving the 22 year old defender but due to the current COVID-19 pandemic effecting the clubs financials the youngster could be had for much less with the club said to be willing to accept between €60M-€70M for his rights.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Benfica set for retesting after positive COVID-19 player

Benfica Blog
Benfica are set to complete retesting for COVID-19 after the positive test to youngster David Tavares was detected in the original tests completed last Friday. The entire football department of Benfica which include the players, coaches, support staff and more will be retested tomorrow in accordance with the rules imposed by the General Directorate of Health. Benfica will have swab samples taken from the respiratory zones and blood samples to view if any immunity has been acquired by the individual taken at the same time as the club prepares for the season restart which was announced today by the league to be June 4th.

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Benfica youngster Tavares tests positive for COVID-19

Benfica Blog
Benfica have announced their first positive result of COVID-19 as youngster David Tavares' test samples have returned positive, the midfielder is asymptomatic and currently in isolation away from the club. The 21 year old has already been subjected to a counter analysis which confirmed the initial result. The initial positive test result was conducted on May 8 when the club went through full testing of the squad, technical team and football staff as well as service providers who have direct contact with the club. Benfica also announced that the club will continue to train in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Directorate-General of Health and will have all players, technical team members, staff and service providers that had direct contact with Tavares will have new tests completed in the coming days. Tavares has appeared in two games with the main club this season across all competitions, coming on both times as a substitute.

Benfica turn to Flamengo left back as Grimaldo replacement

Benfica continue to search for a potential future replacement for current left back starter Alex Grimaldo and have turned their attention to 19 year old Flamengo left back Ramon Lima. Lima has grown through the Flamengo youth system and has made four appearances for Jorge Jesus' main squad in his time with the Brazilian side. Benfica are closing in on the potential sale of their current starting left back amid the financial uncertainty caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic and are hoping to have alternatives in place when the move is completed and feel that Lima's skills would excel in the clubs current system. No financial numbers are being reported at this time for the acquisition of Lima.

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Helton Leite move from Boavista to Benfica all but done

Boavista keeper Helton Leite is all but guaranteed to be a member of Benfica when next season gets under way according to reports from Portugal. The 29 year old keeper would have already been with the club last season but a failed medical due to a serious rupture of the anterior ligament on his right knee suffered last season made Benfica halt the transaction until they were certain that Helton would be able to return to form. Helton joined Boavista in the summer of 2018 after spending time at Botafogo and has appeared in 36 games across all competitions for the northern Portugal club. Benfica have an option of first refusal on any sale that Boavista would want to make for the keeper and are currently in negotiations to finalize the move.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Vlachodimos returns to Newcastle wanted list

Benfica Blog
Benfica keeper Vlachodimos is once again being linked with a move to Newcastle according to reports coming out of Greece's Alpha Patras. Vlachodimos was linked with a move last summer to the English side but the clubs were unable to come to terms on an agreement to make the move happen. Newcastle though has been recently purchased by a Saudi Arabian consortium who are set to splurge €200M to strengthen the club going forward which would make Benfica's demands easier to meet. Benfica are said to want €20M for the 26 year old Greek International who joined the club in the summer of 2018 from Greek side Panathinaikos and is signed until the summer of 2024. Vlachodimos has appeared in 85 games for Benfica across all competitions and maintained 35 clean sheets in those appearances.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Benfica linked with Barcelona owned right back

Benfica Blog
Benfica are one of various clubs that's name has been linked to Barcelona owned right back Emerson. The 21 year old has been loaned to Spanish side Real Betis until the summer of 2021 but Barcelona have the option of bringing him back after this season and they could bring him back to sell him to the highest bidder. Benfica are said to be in competition with Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen for the services of the Brazilian with Barcelona looking at receiving between €20M-€30M to move him. Emerson has appeared in 23 La Liga games for Betis this season, scoring three goals while setting up another five. Benfica are looking for a right back to battle with current number one Andre Almeida who has gone through injury trouble the past two seasons and feel that Emerson would be a suitable replacement to the Portuguese right back.

Monday, May 4, 2020

Nottingham to return Alfa Semedo back to Benfica

Benfica Blog
Nottingham Forest will return midfielder Alfa Semedo back to Benfica after the end of his loan spell this season. Semedo who joined Nottingham at the start of the season in the English Championship had a bright start with the club but his play quickly dwindled off and although the 22 year olds loan did not include a buy out clause it was unlikely that Nottingham would have triggered it if it did. Semedo has appeared in 23 games across all competitions for Forest, scoring twice with his last goal coming against QPR in late November. Semedo who joined Benfica in the summer of 2018 has spent the last season and a half away on loans as he previously spent  half a season with Spanish side Espanyol in the second half of 2019.

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Benfica players set to return to practice Monday

Benfica Blog
Benfica players are set to return back to training in Seixal tomorrow as the club prepares for the potential re-start of league at the end of the month. Benfica have already tested their players last Tuesday for COVID-19 and their practice will be divided into two sessions with the club separating players into group of fours during these sessions. Benfica currently trail FC Porto by one point in the race for the league title with ten games remaining in the season, how the games will be completed are still unknown as the league decides if it is the best interest of all clubs to play out of remote locations.

Friday, May 1, 2020

Olympiakos interested in loan deal for Jota

Benfica Blog
Greek club Olympiakos are interested in agreeing to a loan deal with Benfica for youngster Jota but the Greek side are said to not want a purchase option as part of the loan deal. Benfica who normally prefer that any of their player loans be negotiated with a purchase option, could insist that without the option included the deal will not move ahead. Benfica are said to be currently looking for a club where Jota can get regular playing time with the hopes that Jota's performance goes over well and that the club can cash out on the 21 year old. The 44 time Greek League champions are currently led by Portuguese manager Pedro Martins and also can count Ruben Semedo, Jose Sa and Cafu in their ranks of Portuguese players. Jota has appeared in 19 games for Benfica this season across all competitions and has scored twice while adding three helpers.