Benfica blows chance to move into league lead

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 controlled the majority of the encounter against Tondela as the latter chose to park the bus for most of the game, not even registering a shot on target. Benfica's best player may have been center back Ruben Dias which does not bode well for a club that has become lackluster in the goal scoring department. Benfica's best chance of the game came from substitute Dyego Sousa who hit the post. 

After the game the clubs bus was stoned in its departure from the stadium to Seixal, the club disclosed that Julian Weigl and Zivkovic both went to the hospital as a precaution after receiving treatment due to particles of shattered glass. Benfica will travel to the Algarve next week to take on Portimonense on June 10 and hope to try to right this sinking ship.