Monday, June 29, 2020

Luis Filipe Vieira accepts Bruno Lage resignation

Benfica Blog
Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira has accepted the resignation of manager Bruno Lage after the club suffered another devastating defeat at the hands of Maritimo earlier today. Benfica now sits six points behind league leaders FC Porto who defeated Pacos Ferreira also today and see their title hopes fade with five league games remaining and Porto holding the tiebreaker. Lage has been unable to right the clubs ship over the past few months amid the long break in between due to the world's current COVID-19 pandemic with the club having earned only eleven points in their last ten games of a possible thirty, with many of the dropped points coming against league minnows.

 

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Benfica squad for away game in Madeira against Maritimo

Benfica Blog
Benfica travel over the ocean to Madeira to take on Maritimo in their Week 29 encounter as the squad continues to try to find their form in what is slowly turning into a lost season and championship after falling behind Porto by three points after a stunning home loss to Santa Clara in Week 28. Benfica will be without Ruben Dias and Gabriel due to yello card accumulation and Taarabt due to injury. Benfica will play Maritimo tomorrow at 6pm WEST and they will dress 20 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Ivan Zlobin

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Jardel, Ferro, Nuno Tavares, Andre Almeida, Morato

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl, Zivkovic, Paulo Bernardo

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa, Seferovic, Goncalo Ramos

Former Inter Milan boss Spalletti latest name linked to Benfica post

Benfica Blog
Benfica fans can add the name of Luciano Spalletti as someone that could replace current manager Bruno Lage at the club. According to reports out of Italy's Calciomercato, the 61 year old former Inter Milan manager who has been unemployed since the end of last season is under consideration by Benfica after discussions with Marco Silva hit a snag. Spalletti who has also managed Italian sides Roma and Udinese, spent five seasons with Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg from December 2009 to March 2014 were he led the club to two Russian league titles. Benfica have also had the names of managers Leornardo Jardim and Luis Castro linked as other possible managerial options as the club works feverishly behind the scenes as they look to salvage the season before it is lost.

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Marco Silva lined up to take over at Benfica

Benfica Blog
With Benfica looking to salvage their season and capture another league championship, the struggling club look to set to part ways with current manager Bruno Lage. The main candidate to replace him is said to be Marco Silva according to various reports coming from Portuguese papers in the last 24 hours. Lage has struggled to get the most out of his club since February, the struggles have seen Benfica blow a seven point lead atop the league to sitting three points behind current league leaders FC Porto. Benfica has only managed to win three of their last ten league games and earned a total of thirteen points out of a possible thirty. 

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Benfica squad for upcoming Santa Clara encounter

Benfica get set to take on Santa Clara with the chance to put some pressure on Porto with a victory as they play just ahead of their rivals in the battle of top spot. The club hopes to keep their winning ways going into Week 28. Benfica will play Santa Clara today at 7:15pm WEST and they will dress 20 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Ivan Zlobin

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares, Andre Almeida

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

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa, Seferovic, Goncalo Ramos

Monday, June 22, 2020

Bayer Leverkusen interested in young Benfica right back

Benfica Blog
Bayer Leverkusen have stepped up their interest in Benfica right back Joao Ferreira according to reports coming from Portugal. The 19 year old has spent the season toiling with Benfica's B squad appearing in 18 games amid high expectations for the Seixal made product. Leverkusen is said to be sending a representative to Lisbon to meet with the players agent after having kept an eye on the youngsters development this season. Benfica's price tag on Ferreira is a reported €10M, which would be a modest fee for a player linked in the past year to high profile clubs Juventus, Inter Milan and Barcelona. Leverkusen are hoping to succeed were these other clubs failed and take Portugal's U19 starting right back to Germany in time for the start of next seasons campaign.

Sunday, June 21, 2020

Benfica manager Lage ready to give starting spot to Seferovic

Benfica Blog
Bruno Lage is ready to hand the starting striker spot back to Swiss International Haris Seferovic after a strong performance as a substitute in the clubs last match against Rio Ave. With Benfica struggling to score goals, averaging just 1.25 goals per game over their last eight league games compared to 2.42 in their first 19 games of the season. Bruno Lage is desperate to find a striker to step into the role that Carlos Vinicius filled well for the club during the first half of the season. Seferovic who was last seasons golden boot winner in the Portuguese League with 23 goals got off to a slow start this season without last seasons strike partner Joao Felix giving Vinicius the opportunity to take over his starting role. 

The Brazilian striker who has scored 15 goals on the season has struggled with just one in his last seven games, opening the door for Seferovic to reclaim his starting role once again. Lage also has striker Dyego Sousa at his disposal who is on loan from Chinese club Shenzhen but Sousa has yet to score for the club in his 154 minutes of action. Bruno Lage knows that without a striker scoring regularly for the club, the teams chances of defending their league crown take a steep dive and this is why he is ready to give the reigns to Seferovic when the club takes on Santa Clara later this week.

Friday, June 19, 2020

Benfica being linked to Peruvian attacking midfielder

Benfica Blog
Benfica is being linked to 18 year old attacking midfielder Yuriel Celi from Peruvian club AD Cantolao. According to reports from Italy, Benfica have yet to make a formal offer for the player but are currently investigating what it would take to land the player. Celi made the move to the main squad of Cantolao last season making 15 appearances while scoring once, he also featured for the Peru in the South American U17 Championship were he chipped in three goals. Benfica are not the only European club being linked to Celi with several Italian clubs interested in the youngster's services.

Thursday, June 18, 2020

League announces Taca de Portugal Final date

Benfica Blog
The Portuguese Football Federation has finally announced a date for the Taca de Portugal final between Benfica and FC Porto. The final will take place on Saturday August 1 at a yet to be determined venue and time but the federation will announce this by months end. The Taca final which is normally played at Jamor is unable to meet the health and safety requirements that have been set due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Benfica will be looking to win their 30th Taca de Portugal in a Classico showdown against their northern rivals.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Benfica squad announced for Rio Ave Week 27 game

Benfica Blog
Benfica travel to Vila do Conde to take on Rio Ave with the chance to go level again at the top of the league after FC Porto's scoreless draw against Aves earlier today. The club will be looking to right a wayward ship and snap a long streak of league draws. Benfica will go into Week 27 without injured starters Alex Grimaldo and Jardel plus Andre Almeida will miss the game due to suspension. Benfica will play Rio Ave tomorrow at 9:15pm WEST and they will dress 20 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Ivan Zlobin

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


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

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa, Seferovic, Goncalo Ramos

Monday, June 15, 2020

Benfica ready to go with a "Made in Seixal" back four

Benfica Blog
Benfica's famed Seixal academy will be on display when the club gets set to face Rio Ave in Week 27 action as the club looks to right a wayward ship. With the season ending injury suffered by left back Alex Grimaldo, the almost season ending injury to center back Jardel and a suspension to right back Andre Almeida. Bruno Lage will turn to a "Made in Seixal" back four for the clubs upcoming league game. Regular starter Ruben Dias will be joined by his usual center back partner Ferro and two Tavares' on the flanks in Tomas and Nuno. The quartet will have an average age 21.25 years and it will be the first time that the club has featured four defenders from its Seixal academy as starters in a league play. Benfica is looking to salvage a season that has gotten away from them and hope that the youngsters can provide a spark with their energy going forward as the club looks to snap a run of four league draws in a row.

Saturday, June 13, 2020

Benfica release update on injured defenders

Benfica Blog
Benfica have released updates on injured defenders Alex Grimaldo and Jardel and the news is not good for the club or their fans. Grimaldo will miss the rest of the season after suffering ligament damage to his left knee and Jardel will miss the majority of what is left in the season possibly returning for the final couple of games due to a muscle injury in his left thigh. The two players were both injured in this weeks Portimonense encounter which will not open the door for a return to the starting eleven for Ferro and Nuno Tavares. Grimaldo has appeared in 41 games across all competitions for the club scoring once while setting up eight goals. Jardel who seems set to retire after this season has battled injuries all year and has appeared in only 12 games across all competitions.

Thursday, June 11, 2020

Napoli interested in Benfica youngster Tavares

Benfica BLog
Italian club Napoli are being linked with Benfica youngster Tomas Tavares according to reports coming from Sky Sports Italia. The 19 year old right back is seen as a possible replacement for current back up Faouzi Ghoulam. Tavares made his first team debut this season and is another product from the clubs fame Seixal academy. Tavares has appeared in 25 games across all competitions for the club this season but has yet to record a goal or an assist and has been forced into action due to regular starter Andre Almeida battling an injury bug on multiple occasions this season. Although no dollar values have been released, Benfica is notorious for wanting top dollar for their academy players and Tavares will be no different.

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Benfica squad for Portimonense game released

Benfica Blog
Benfica look to snap out of a funk that started in February as they travel south to take on Portiminense in Week 26 action. Benfica blew their chance to take sole possession of top spot in the league last week with a scoreless draw against Tondela which was then followed by harsh criticism from the clubs President. Bruno Lage has asked the players to dig deep for today's encounter. Benfica will play Portimonense today at 7:00pm WEST and they will dress 20 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Ivan Zlobin

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

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


Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa, Seferovic

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Benfica linked to Independiente center back

Benfica are once again being linked with Uruguayan center back Gaston Silva who currently is with Argentinian club Independiente. The 26 year old center back is currently owed wages by the Argentinian club and is moving to void his current contract due to the situation, which in turn would make him available to sign with any club on a free transfer. The Uruguayan International last played in Europe in 2017 as a member of Italian club Torino and also appeared for Spanish side Granada. Silva has appeared in 20 games across all competitions for Independiente chipping in one assist. Silva is also a regular call up for his country's national side and was a member of the Uruguayan team that knocked out Portugal from World Cup 2018 in the round of 16.

Sunday, June 7, 2020

Benfica and Porto both being linked to Nordsjaelland defender

Benfica Blog
Portuguese clubs Benfica and FC Porto are both being linked to Nordsjaelland central defender Abdul Mumin. The 22 year old Ghanaian looks to be a cheaper alternative for the clubs which have seen their finances effected by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Mumin's contract is set to expire this summer and would be available to both clubs for free. Mumin has applied his trade in Denmark since the summer of 2016 and has appeared in 24 games across all competitions for the Danish side, scoring on one occasion.

Saturday, June 6, 2020

Benfica President lashes out at club for poor start

Benfica Blog
Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira lashed out at the club after another poor performance by the squad upon their return to action from a long layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Benfica who at the end of January looked to be running away with the league title, took a turn for the worse and not even a break has gotten the club back in gear. The Benfica President addressed the club and let them know that he expects more commitment, desire and emotion in their play as he looks to win another league championship. Vieiria had a long conversation with manager Bruno Lage and expects some sort of changes to snap this funk.


Benfica players feel that the timing of the criticism are both unfair and untrue especially after the clubs bus was stoned, sending Julian Weigl and Zivkovic to hospital with minor injuries. The homes of manager Bruno Lage, Pizzi, Rafa Silva and Alex Grimaldo were also vandalized with vulgar graffiti spray painted on the property gates and walls. The world lock down due to COVID-19 has had emotional and psychological effects to many people across the world which could explain the extreme outbursts after only one game of action. Those responsible for this violence need to find better outlets or seek medical help to deal with any emotional trauma suffered during this unfortunate times and avoid harming the squad or their families.

Thursday, June 4, 2020

Benfica blows chance to move into league lead

Benfica Blog
Benfica's return to action after a long lay off due to the current COVID-19 pandemic did not present much of a change from when they last played with the club dropping points once again to Tondela in a scoreless draw, a club currently fighting relegation. Benfica have now dropped points in three straight league games with all those encounters ending in draws and have earned 6 of a possible 18 points in their last six league games but somehow still sit tied with FC Porto atop the Portuguese league.

Benfica can thank Famalicao who handed Porto a loss in their return to action yesterday for even moving into the tie for top spot, although Porto do hold the tiebreaker. Benfica's form has been so poor of late that some might wonder if Bruno Lage should renew his library card and get some books on tactics as last seasons all world manager doesn't seem to know the difference between a watermelon and a banana right now. Lage is slowly looking like a manager that made one right move last season and that was inserting Joao Felix into a regular role with the club.

Benfica roster for Tondela encounter

Benfica Blog
Benfica return to action after a long lay off due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will play Tondela in Week 25 action at an empty Estadio da Luz. Benfica will be looking to take advantage of FC Porto's loss to Famalicao in their first game to leap frog the current league leaders for top spot in the league. Benfica will play Tondela today at 7:15pm WEST and they will dress 18 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Ivan Zlobin

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

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

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa, Seferovic

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Benfica's Estadio da Luz could host Champions League Final

Benfica Blog
Thanks to the current COVID-19 pandemic effecting the globe, UEFA is looking at safer alternatives to host their Champions League Final and Benfica's Estadio da Luz has been mentioned as a potential host stadium to conclude the 2019/20 tournament. UEFA currently have security concerns with hosting the final in Istanbul as was originally the case and are thinking of condensing the tournament for the final eight with a one game elimination format all in one country. This would reduce travel and safety concerns as well as reducing the amount of games that are normally played. Lisbon is considered an ideal location with their newer stadiums, low COVID numbers and with no Portuguese clubs remaining in the tournament, no one club would have any type of advantage with no fans set to attend the games. Benfica's Estadio da Luz last hosted the Champions League final in 2014 which pitted an all Madrid showdown between Real and Atletico.