Benfica reach second best start to season ever

Benfica have now reached the twenty-seven game mark without suffering a loss to start the season after their 2-0 victory over Penafiel in their Taca da Liga group game. The mark is the second best start in the history of the club only trailing the 1959/60 team which reached thirty-one game mark before suffering a loss.

Benfica has amassed a record of twenty-three wins and four draws during the span which includes their performance in the Champions League qualifying rounds and group games, Portuguese League games and the Taca de Portugal along with the Taca da Liga. Benfica have also scored 73 goals while allowing 19 in all contests this season.

Andre Almeida could be back in

With right back Gilberto garnering plenty of interest from his native Brazil, Benfica may be looking for a back up to current starter Alexander Bah in January and the clubs former starting right back Andre Almeida could be just the guy to fill the role at the club. Almeida has yet to appear in any games with the club this season and made his first appearance on the substitute bench in last weekends Taca da Liga game against Amadora.

The 32 year old Almeida has been at Benfica since joining the club in the summer of 2011 from Belenenses on a free transfer and has appeared in 308 games with Benfica across all competitions, scoring eleven goals while setting up an additional forty-two. Benfica manager Roger Schmidt could also turn to Diogo Goncalves who appeared on occasion at the position under former manager Jorge Jesus.

Benfica ready for Kovacevic move to replace Vlachodimos

Benfica are being linked once again with Bosnian keeper Vladan Kovacevic as the potential replacement for current number one man Odysseas Vlachodimos if the Greek international were to depart the club during the winter transfer market. Benfica's fine form this season has caught the attention of many of Europe's top clubs and Vlachodimos has already been linked with a move to Manchester United and Leicester City.

The 24 year old Rakow keeper has been a steady performer for the first place Polish club and has appeared in eighteen games across all competitions this season, keeping twelve clean sheets in the process. Kovacevic has also been linked with Scottish side Rangers and German club Bayer Leverkusen but the keeper has confirmed that he received an offer from Benfica during the summer and the Eagles are ready to return for Kovacevic if Vlachodimos departs.

Galatasaray want to end Seferovic loan

Benfica striker Haris Seferovic looks set to return to the club in January with his current Turkish club Galatasaray looking to end the Swiss International's loan spell early according to reports from Fotomac. Seferovic is currently in Qatar with his national side set to participate in World Cup 2022 and will then return to Benfica at the conclusion of the tournament, Seferovic is not expected to remain with Benfica and will need to find a new loan for the remainder of the season.

Benfica received €1M from Galatasaray for Seferovic's loan but the striker has underwhelmed during the first half of the season appearing in only ten games across all competitions and scoring two goals, with both coming in Turkish Cup action. Galatasaray manager Okun Barak just last week made a statement about the striker and stated that he wants to continue with all his current players including Seferovic but that does not look like the case.

 

Benfica Youth Team win Globe Award

Benfica have captured another award at the Globe Soccer Awards ceremony that took place today in Dubai, as Benfica were named the Best Youth Club in the World after capturing both the UEFA Youth League and the Intercontinental Cup in 2022. This is Benfica's third trophy at the Globe Soccer Awards, having captured the best academy in the world award in both 2019 and 2015. Benfica President Rui Costa was on hand to accept the award and stated that this was another great generation of the club.

Vasco da Gama want Benfica defender

Brazilian club Vasco da Gama are said to be ready to travel to Portugal to discuss possible moves for a series of players one on the list is Benfica right back Gilberto. Vasco has just earned promotion back to the top tier of Brazilian football and are looking to strengthen their club for their upcoming season. Gilberto is a former Vasco da Gama player, spending the 2017 season at the club on loan from Fiorentina were he appeared in 26 games, providing one assist. 

Gilberto joined Benfica in the summer of 2020 for €3M and has appeared in 89 games across all competitions for the club, scoring six goals while providing seven helpers. Gilberto currently earns €480K per season at Benfica and has a contract with the club until the summer of 2025 and Vasco da Gama would need to at least match his currently salary if they are to have any chance of seeing the player fly across the pond.

Benfica at the second international break

The second International break is upon us nations prepare to compete in World Cup 2022 and Benfica go into the break on a twenty-five game unbeaten run to start the season and sit atop Portugal with a eight point lead. Benfica will not be completely out of action during the tournament as the club will compete in this seasons Taca de Liga and play three games from November 20 to December 17.

The season still has more then 50% of it to go but Benfica remain in fine form since the start of the campaign and Benfica fans are becoming very optimistic that the club will earn some much needed hardware this season when all is said and done. 

A look at some player stats from the first 25 games of the season

Most minutes played: 

Vlachodimos 2,160; Alex Grimaldo 2,134; Otamendi 2,070

Most goals scored: 

Goncalo Ramos 14; Rafa Silva 11; Joao Mario 10

Most assists: 

Joao Mario 8; David Neres 8; Alexander Bah 6; Goncalo Ramos 6

Most yellow cards: 

Enzo Fernandez 6; Rafa Silva 5; Florentino 5; Otamendi 5

Most substitute appearances: 

Diogo Goncalves 16; Petar Musa 14; Chiquinho 12

Most penalty kicks taken:

Joao Mario 7

 

These stats only include League and Champions League group stage

Total shots taken:

Rafa Silva 58; Goncalo Ramos 48; Enzo Fernandez 37

Total passes made:

Enzo Fernandez 1,552; Otamendi 1,254; Florentino 1,148

Total dribbles made:

Rafa Silva 80; David Neres 65; Joao Mario 51

Total interceptions made:

Florentino 48; Otamendo 40; Alexander Bah 30

Most Tackles:

Alex Grimaldo 49; Florentino 48; Enzo Fernandez 45 

Blocked Shots:

Antonio Silva 8; Otamendi 7; Alexander Bah 4; Alex Grimaldo 4

Most Clearances Made:

Otamendi 62; Antonio Silva 55; Florentino 23

Man of the Match

Alex Grimaldo 4; Joao Mario 3; Rafa Silva 3; Goncalo Ramos 3

League Player Ratings:

Alex Grimaldo 7.55; Joao Mario 7.51; David Neres 7.39

Champions League Player Ratings:

Rafa Silva 7.57; Alex Grimaldo 7.49; Joao Mario 7.31

Benfica's play gets notice from Portugal boss

Benfica's fine form this season has caught the attention of not only clubs and fans across the globe but of Fernando Santos, Portugal's national team coach. Santos named his 26 man World Cup squad earlier today and he included three Benfica players, Santos called up striker Goncalo Ramos the Primeira Liga leading scorer and the nations highest goal scorer this season across all competitions.

Ramos was joined by midfielder Joao Mario who's game has gone to another level this season and who's inclusion was a no brainier as it fits Santos' style of play. The third Benfica player was a surprise choice as Santos called up 19 year old center back Antonio Silva, who was a relative unknown just two months ago and will now make a well deserved trip to Qatar along with his club mates.

Benfica to face Club Brugge in Round of 16

Benfica have learned their Champions League round of 16 opponents and it will be Belgian's Club Brugge who finished runner up in their group behind FC Porto. Benfica will travel to Brugge for the first leg of the encounter on either February 14, 15,21 or 22 and then host the second leg in March on the 7, 8, 14 or 15.

On paper this looks to be the best draw that Benfica could have hoped for to advance on but Brugge can not be taken lightly after defeating FC Porto at the Dragao 4-0 during their group stage encounter, while they also did not allow a goal in five out of their six group games the only one being a 4-0 defeat at home to Porto.

Benfica top group and await round of 16 opponent

Benfica turned in what may have been their performance of the year in a 6-1 drubbing of Maccabi Haifa in their final Champions League group game and pushed aside PSG for top spot thanks to an away goal tiebreaker. Benfica and PSG finished the group stage tied in points, goals for, goals against, goals differential and played to a 1-1 draws in both encounters. The decider for top spot ended up down the tiebreak list and went Benfica's way as they scored 9 goals away from home while PSG scored 6.

Benfica are now a seeded club going into the November 7 draw and will face one of seven possible opponents in the round of 16 with only PSG not a possibility. Benfica's potential opponents for the knock out round are Liverpool, Inter Milan, Club Brugge, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt or AC Milan. The club will now get a well deserved long break from European competition until February of next year when the competition will resume.

Benfica ready to make another move for Frankfurt midfielder

Benfica were linked to Eintracht Frankfurt attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada during the summer months but nothing came to fruition. The failure to land Kamada has not soured the club who are ready to try and land the 26 year old Japanese midfielder again when the winter transfer window opens in January.

Kamada has continued his fine play this season, having scored twelve goals across all competitions in twenty games while providing three assists. Kamada has yet to sign an extension with Frankfurt and will be open to sign with any club for free in January. Benfica will not be alone in their chase of Kamada and should face some stiff competition to land the talented midfielders signature.