The youngster is not a regular for Flamengo at this time only appearing in 5 games last season but is a left footed center back which is a valuable quality for the position. Benfica are hoping to negotiate an affordable price point with the Brazilian club and could commence talks when the winter transfer window opens in the next couple of days.
.jpg "Benfica in talks with Chelsea about Joao Felix loan")
Chelsea acquired Felix from Atletico Madrid for €52M in the summer, but new Chelsea bench boss Enzo Maresca does not seem to be a fan of the former Golden Boy winner, having used Felix in only 293 minutes of action in the Premier League. Felix has scored once while providing one helper although he does have four markers in the UEFA Conference League.
The rumours of course, have now heated up that Felix is unhappy with his role, or lack of a role with Chelsea and would be open to a move back to Lisbon to join Benfica even if it is only on a temporary basis. Felix would welcome a move that would give him regular playing time.
Felix left Benfica for Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019 for what is still a club record €127M sale. His career since the departure has been full of highs and lows, with more lows then highs over the past couple of seasons.
If Benfica aims to compete in both the Portuguese league and Europe, an urgent need for improvement in scoring from their striking options is evident. The current tally of 15 goals is alarming when considering the time spent on the field. On average, this translates to a meager goal every 166 minutes, far from what is needed for a club of Benfica's stature. This inefficiency isn't just numbers; it's a barrier to success.
With key matches approaching in both the Liga Portugal and the UEFA
competitions, an upturn in offensive production is essential. Benfica
can't afford to miss opportunities if they aim to secure important victories.
Pavlidis, the regular starting striker shows promise with his physical attributes and ability to play in the attacking role. His work rate is commendable, but he often struggles to convert chances into goals. Improving his finishing would give the club a huge boost. He has converted a mere 6 goals in 1522 minutes while providing 4 assists.
Cabral has been a mixed bag since joining the club last summer. While he possesses great technique, consistency in front of goal has been elusive. He's capable of brilliance but must find a way to replicate that on a regular basis if he is to be a key player for the squad. He has 4 goals in 493 minutes.
Amdouni has had some impressive moments during his loan spell. His pace and positioning
are assets; however, identifying his strengths could help him make a more
significant impact moving forward for the club. Amdouni has hit the twine 5 times in 499 minutes and started 5 games from the clubs 23 to date.
Benfica’s attacking statistics lag behind teams like Sporting and FC Porto when you compare each club's attack from the striker position. Sporting star striker Gyokeres himself has chipped in 27 goals while his back up Harder has added 7 goals himself for a whopping 34 goals combined, more the double of Benfica's attack.
While FC Porto's new arrival Samu has scored 15 goals as he adjusts quickly to the club and his back ups Gul and Namaso have provided 5 goals combined. Although their tally is not much higher then Benfica's, you can not compare the overall talent edge that the Lisbon club has over their northern rivals.
Bruno Lage's tactical style favours an attacking style and he encourages his players, especially his wingers to find space in the attacking half of the field. It is important to have player movement especially from his striker when the club has possession in the final third of the pitch.
There is not one simple solution to the lack of goals the club is getting from their strikers and time might heal this current issue but all three club strikers need to be more clinical when they get the opportunity in front of goal, as addressing this issue is critical in setting the stage for a successful season.
Benfica traveled to Madeira to take on Nacional today in a rescheduled Week 8 contest, which brought all the teams games played in the league leveled to 14 a piece. Benfica prevailed with a 2-0 victory behind a pair of Angel di Maria second half goals.
With the result Benfica now sit in second spot in the league just one point behind Sporting for the league lead and one point ahead of third place FC Porto. Benfica and Sporting go head to head December 29 at the Estadio Alvalade and the outcome will see who holds the league lead going into the new year.
Benfica have taken advantage of both Sporting and FC Porto's struggles of late to close the gap on top spot a stretch that has seen the club win eight of ten league games while playing the other two to draws.
Cabral joined Benfica in the summer of 2023 from Fiorentina with the hope of replacing departing starting striker Goncalo Ramos but he had long periods of struggle as he adapted to Portuguese football. The inconsistent play led Benfica to shop this summer for another striker and obtained Vangelis Pavlidis, pushing Cabral to a bench role with the occasional start this season.
Cabral has looked much better when called upon coming in off the bench, as the back up striker role seems to have lite a bit of a fire under the player. Cabral has appeared in 60 games across all competitions for Benfica, scoring fifteen goals while providing four helpers in 2,349 minutes of play.
Look for Benfica to hold onto the player until Atlanta or any other club with interest in Cabral meet their price point. The club are in no hurry to move on from the striker as they compete across four competitions this season which includes the Champions League.
Benfica went into their Champions League contest at home against a winless Bologna looking for a victory and inching closer to the knockout round of a revamped Champions League but laid an egg in a contest that ended in a scoreless draw.
With the result, Benfica sits in 15th spot in the standings with 10 points with two more contests left on the docket. Benfica thought they had opened the scoring just two minutes into the game but a Vangelis Pavilidis goal was ruled offside when checked by VAR.
Benfica was unable to get a ball past Bologna keeper Skorupski who came up big when needed and thanks to a few other wasteful opportunities in the second half by Benfica, the two clubs shared points in the first ever head to head meeting by the teams.
Benfica are a win away from the knockout round but with Barcelona and Juventus still to play in the new year, the club might need some help to get to the next stage.
Luckily for Benfica there are only two clubs on the outside of the Top 24 that could cause concern by moving into the Top 24 with the remainder of clubs mathematically still alive but unlikely to catch Benfica in points or goal differential.
The sites, cities and schedule is out and Benfica will be in the Southeast part of the USA when they hit the field. This is a bit of a blow to descendants of Portugal and Benfica fans that are heavily populated in the northeast part of the country. Can you say road trip....
Benfica will open the competition against Argentinian side Boca Juniors on June 16 at 6pm at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. They then face Auckland City of New Zealand on June 20 at 12pm, at Inter & Co. Stadium in Orlando. Their final group stage game will come against German side Bayern Munich on June 24 at 3pm in Charlotte at Bank of America stadium.
The top two sides in the group will advance to the round of 16 knockout stage and take on the top two clubs in Group D based on final standings. Group D participants include Chelsea, Flamengo, Leon and Esperance de Tunis. The tournament will be the first Club competition to have 32 clubs battling for the best club in the world.
His performance at Velez has caught the eye of a few suitors as he emerges as one of the best young backs in the Argentinian league. Benfica has the reputation for its successful scouting network,
often identifying talents before they become mainstream stars. This type of move fits into the game plan on acquiring young players with high potential.
Gomez appeared in the U20 World Cup for Argentina during this past summer and has appeared in 106 games across all competitions for Velez since cracking the main squad in 2022. Velez is said to be looking for over €10M for the players services, a price tag Benfica will work to reduce.
Benfica may not make the move for Gomez during the winter transfer window as it looks to hold onto all it's current center backs but with Otamendi set to become a free agent at the end of the season and the potential departure of one or both of Tomas Araujo and Antonio Silva in the summer. This is a player the club wants to keep in it's sight lines.
Benfica have been slotted into Pot 2 along with rivals FC Porto, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and RB Salzburg. These clubs will avoid being grouped together in the competition.
Benfica's potential opponents in the group phase will come out of Pots 1, 3 and 4.
Pot 1 - Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate and Fluminense.
Pot 3 - Al Hilal, Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Ulsan HD, Leon, Monterrey, Boca Juniors and Botafogo.
Pot 4 - Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders, Urawa Red Diamonds, Al Ain, Hope of Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns and Auckland City.
This will be the first edition of a 32 club format for the Club World Cup and the potential of €50M to €80M going to the tournament winner should make this an exciting first edition.
UPDATED 12/05/24
Benfica will be in Group C after draw was held and will be in the same group as Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors and Auckland City while rivals FC Porto will face Palmeiras, Inter Miami and Al Ahly.
Currently, Estadio da Luz holds around 65,000 fans. However, many games
see a full house, making it hard for die-hard supporters to get tickets.
An expanded stadium would allow more fans to join in the excitement of
match days while adding more funds into the club's coffers.
The club did not go into details of the financial side of this expansion, which will be crucial. Benfica would likely look at several channels to fund the project, through sponsorship deals, increased ticket sales and possible public and private partnerships.
Cost estimates for the expansion are not yet public, but it’s clear
that sound financial planning will support this ambitious venture. Costa did state that the capacity increase would not change the club's current conditions of security, access, comfort and visibility. More to come on this amazing development.
Benfica is taking their world class academy set up abroad as the club gets set to open a residential academy in the Tampa, Florida area. The academy will be located at the state of the art campus of Saint Leo University and be a co-educational academy that will provide a balanced approach to athletic and academic excellence for grades 9 to 12.
Benfica's goal is to become a global leader in youth soccer development. The campus will have 6 soccer fields, a 59,000 square foot wellness center and span 297 acres. Benfica will provide ever academy player with a nutritional plan, an educational goal and provide a social focus on human values.
On the educational side, Benfica will team up with Bishop McLaughlin High School which is a private school for their academy players to attend. The school boost's both a 100% graduation rate and a 100% college acceptance rate.
The game did not start the way Benfica had hoped as Monaco jumped out to an early lead behind a goal from Ben Seghir just thirteen minutes into the contest. Benfica were the stronger side of the first half but could not capitalize on some great scoring opportunities as the game went into the half with Monaco leading.
Benfica would equalize the game on a blunder by Caio Henrique just three minutes into the second half as Vangelis Pavlidis capitalized on the error. Monaco would score just two minutes later, but VAR called the goal back offside. Benfica then thought they had taken the lead at the fifty-four minute mark, but Alexander Bah's goal was disallowed on an offside during the buildup for the goal.
The game would change complexions as Monaco center back Singo would receive his second yellow of the game after a hard challenge on striker Pavlidis as both players challenged for a ball in the air, but it was Monaco who would score just nine minutes after going down a man with Magassa finding the back of the net.
Angel di Maria would then step up and work his magic to provide two spectacular crosses into the box that would find the heads of striker Arthur Cabral at the 84th minute and forward Zeki Amdouni at the 88th minute mark to give Benfica the advantage.
Amdouni could have had Benfica breathing easier in injury time, but his partial breakaway was bravely stopped by Monaco keeper Majecki. The final whistle would sound just a minute later and Benfica were back in the win column and currently sit in 14th place with three games left in the league phase, with Bologna up next at home on December 11.
Benfica go into this contest coming off a sparkling performance this weekend in a Taca de Portugal game against Amadora that saw the Eagles handily defeat their city rivals 7-0, a game that saw 36 year old legend Angel di Maria score a hat trick.
Benfica's trip to Monaco will not be an easy one with the French League club in fine form this season and yet to lose a game in the competition, Benfica will need to be on their best if they are to return home with any points from the contest.
Benfica's game plan should be much different then their last trip to Munich, where the club went into the game with the strategy to sit back hoping for an opportunity that never came. Benfica will face Monaco on Wednesday at 8pm WEST.
Historically, Benfica has performed well against lower-league teams in
the Taca de Portugal. The Eagles typically dominate possession and
create numerous scoring chances. However, complacency can lead to
upsets, making focus paramount.
Benfica's attacking prowess is their biggest asset in the match and by focusing on quick passing, they can spread Amadora's defense thin. Additionally, set pieces present opportunities to capitalize on their aerial advantage.
The winner of the Benfica/Amadora game will face the winner of Arouca/Farense in the round of 16.
With the constant injuries to starting right back Alexander Bah (who is injured again) the club is looking for a reliable alternate option to the right back position as the club do not feel that current loanee Issa Kabore is up to the task and Benfica will look to end his loan move from Man City in January.
The 21 year old Regeer is able to play a variety of positions from right back to central and defensive midfielder. The club was originally linked to the Dutch U21 international when Roger Schmidt was on the sideline but no deal materialized during that time.
Regeer came up through Ajax's youth system and was acquired by Twente in the summer of 2023. Regeer has appeared in 17 games across all competitions for a total of 1,328 minutes but has yet to register a goal, he has provided three helpers during this span.
Look for Benfica to kick the tires on Regeer in January and a host of other potential right backs as they look to find a right back for the right price.
Although rumours are swirling that River Plate would like to add Otamendi in January, the club has no interest in moving on from the 36 year old during the season and will make a decision on how they will proceed with the upcoming free agent in regards to next season.
Antonio Silva and Tomas Araujo, both have the interest of some of Europe's bigger clubs but the UEFA Youth League championship duo should be the club's number one and number two options for the starting XI for at least a couple of years to come.
The newest addition to the group is Albanian Adrian Bajrami, the 22 year old has come up through Benfica's youth teams since 2018 and has yet to appear in a game with the senior side but the team holds the center back in high regard and we should see more of Bajrami as he moves up the club's depth chart.
Benfica currently trail FC Porto by two points and a victory in their game in hand over Nacional will see the club leap frog their northern rivals and sit five points away from league leaders Sporting who will continue the final two thirds of the season without Ruben Amorim who departed the club to take over the managerial position with Man United.
Consistency is critical for any title contender. Dropping points in crucial matches can have lasting repercussions in the league table and Benfica can not afford to drop any number of points in their battle to catch the league leaders as the season progresses.
With the January transfer window approaching the club will do best to hang onto its top talent while shoring up the club at the right back position and acquiring a central midfielder who can provide both attack and defend when needed.
Benfica's next set of league matches that will take them to the half way mark of the league season could provide a telling story of what direction they will take within the league as the face off against Arouca, Guimaraes, AVS, Nacional, Estoril, Sporting and Braga.
The need for consistency remains paramount if the club aspires for the title. Bruno Lage's ability to navigate through these challenges will be essential in guiding Benfica's fortunes for the rest of the season. One can only hope that the result does not leave anything to desire.
Kabore joined Benfica on deadline day this summer and the hope was that he would be an adequate replacement for often injured starter Alexander Bah but he has appeared in only 192 minutes of action this season, providing one assist.
Kabore has failed to impress when called upon and struggles when playing against opponents that play a high press. Look for Benfica to secure a right back before ending Kabore's loan spell and sending him on his way.
Benfica will now be out of action until November 23 when they return they will face Amadora in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal and then travel to Monaco to face Monaco in an important Champions League encounter as the club looks to avoid their third straight defeat of the competition.
Benfica have a host of players away from the club during the international break and will hope that all players return back healthy to the squad.
Benfica and FC Porto share one of the fiercest rivalries in sports. Their rivalry, often referred to as O Clássico, dates back many decades. With each match, the stakes get higher, and the tension grows. Fans from both sides know the history, the victories, and the heartbreaks that come with each encounter. It’s like a long-running saga where each chapter adds fuel to the fire of competition.
As both teams gear up for this critical match, the league standings illustrate just how close the race for second has become. Benfica, with their eye on regaining lost ground, aims to capitalize on home advantage to secure a vital victory. Meanwhile, FC Porto, known for their tactical prowess, is determined to snatch those crucial points away from home. This match is not just about the teams themselves; it reflects the dreams and hopes of their loyal supporters.
Look for summer acquisitions Kerem Akturkoglu and Samu to be vital pieces for their respective clubs in this match, as both players have stormed into the league and made themselves known. The two clubs are coming off disappointing defeats in Europe mid-week and do not want to end this game with a two game losing skid going into the international break.
The atmosphere at Estádio da Luz promises to be electric. Picture
thousands of fans, their chants echoing through the stadium, creating a
whirlwind of sound and passion. The excitement is palpable, and the
stakes could not be higher. Such an atmosphere can elevate the players'
performances, as adrenaline takes over and the crowd becomes that extra
player on the pitch.
Expect a tactical showdown where both coaches will try to outsmart each other at every turn, as Bruno Lage faces Vitor Bruno for the first time. Benfica's attacking style could clash with Porto's solid defense, leading to an intense chess match on the field.
As Benfica prepares to host FC Porto, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling chapter in this storied rivalry. Beyond the quest for three points, it’s about bragging rights and the glory that comes with it. O Clássico is not just a fixture; it's a festival of football where legends are born and memories created. Fans, players, and coaches alike know that every moment counts—making this match one for the history books. Get ready for a night that every football fan will remember.
Alex Padilla isn’t just any goalkeeper. He’s a dual citizen of Spain and
Mexico, which adds a fascinating twist to his story. Born in a time
when both countries value football highly, Padilla has made waves for
his strong performances despite being young. He’s a shot-stopper with a
bright future ahead.
Benfica is looking to strengthen their squad, especially in the goalkeeper position. Their current keepers have been adequate this season and bringing in a young talent like Padilla could prove profitable to the club in the future. New energy and fresh skills can breathe life into a team, and Padilla fits the bill perfectly.
Padilla’s situation at Athletic Bilbao has been tricky. With established goalkeepers ahead of him, that includes Spain's number one Unai Simon. He hasn’t had many chances to showcase his skills. Now, moving to Benfica could offer him that much-needed playing time, especially if the club moves on from current number one Anatoliy Trubin.
Padilla has appeared in five games with Athletic's main squad all coming this season and has spent the past four seasons coming up through Bilbao's system since joining them from Zarautz in the summer of 2019.
This potential move isn’t just a shift for Padilla; it’s a win-win for everyone involved. Benfica gets a young keeper with loads of potential, while Padilla finds a stage to prove his worth. It’s like finding a missing piece in a puzzle—suddenly, everything fits better.
If the deal goes through, Padilla will be stepping into a thrilling
chapter of his career. Joining a club like Benfica, with its rich
history and passionate fan base, can be an exciting adventure. Will he
make an immediate impact? Only time will tell, but the signs are
promising.
When teams decide to play defensively, they often hope to frustrate their opponents while waiting for a chance to strike. In theory, this sounds good, but the reality can be different. Benfica’s plan to sit deep against a powerful Bayern Munich team meant they gave up control of the game. This left them vulnerable to Bayern's relentless attacking.
A shocking stat from the match is that Benfica failed to register any shots on target. That’s right—no attempts to challenge Bayern’s keeper. This lack of offensive effort indicates how deeply they had committed to defense, but it also highlights a troubling reality: when you don't attack, you’re not putting any pressure on your opponent. In football, you can’t win if you don’t hit the target.
The turning point came in the second half when Bayern found the net at the 67th minute mark. Their constant pressure finally broke through Benfica’s defense. This goal summarized the match perfectly—while Benfica focused on holding off attacks, they left themselves vulnerable to that crucial mistake. In football, one slip can lead to defeat, and that’s exactly what happened here.
Benfica's attempt to hold off a team like Bayern with just a defensive mindset is a gamble that didn’t pay off. While defending is essential, creating opportunities is just as vital. A balanced approach where they defend but also look to counterattack could have brought a different outcome.
Some may say Benfica was looking ahead to this weekend's Classico against FC Porto but Bruno Lage needs to leave the Roger Schmidt football behind as the club's poor game plan saw them lose their second consecutive game in the competition. The club now sits 19th after four games with another four games remaining and next face a red hot Monaco in France in hopes of turning this campaign around.
Benfica is hungry for success, and the timing couldn’t be better. With Amorim gone, Sporting may find itself in a state of transition that could affect their perfect performance. In sports, when a team loses its coach, things can get shaky. Benfica aims to capitalize on this uncertainty to chase down the league title.
Imagine walking into a race, and suddenly your biggest competitor trips. That’s how Benfica sees this moment. They want to sprint ahead while Sporting figures out its next moves.
Benfica has the foundation to make a strong push. Their team is filled with talented players who can shine when the spotlight is on them. As Sporting sorts out its new strategy and lineup, Benfica can focus on refining its game plan and maximizing its strengths. They can build momentum in their matches, gain confidence, and boost team morale.
The departure of Ruben Amorim from Sporting opens a window of chance for Benfica. With a team ready to seize the moment, Benfica appears poised to make a run for the Portuguese League title. They will look to maintain focus under Bruno Lage, build on their strengths, and keep their eye on the prize.
In sports, opportunities like this don't come around often. When the team at the top who is a perfect 10-0-0 in the league lose their manager mid-season, this could give Benfica the chance to turn this new chapter to their advantage, and they’re eager to make it count.
Benfica defeated Santa Clara 3-0 yesterday in the quarter-final stage with a flurry of late goals in the final 18 minutes of the game as striker Pavlidis scored a brace, snapping him out of a funk after Angel di Maria opened the scoring for the Lisbon club.
Braga defeated their Minho rivals Guimaraes 2-1 earlier today to move into the head to head contest against Benfica in early January. The other semi-final will see Sporting take on FC Porto with the winners of each contest moving into the Finals played in Leiria on January 11, 2025.
This will be the third time in the past six competitions that the Final Four will feature the same clubs as this year. Each team has won the competition with Benfica (7), Sporting (4), Braga (3) and FC Porto (1) having capturing all but two titles since the tournaments inception.
.jpg "Benfica ready for Taca da Liga opener")
Benfica is still the most successful club since the launch of this competition during the 2007-08 season and have captured the trophy seven times but last won the competition in 2016. Benfica did make the finals in 2022 but where defeated 2-1 to Sporting. The Final Four will take place in Leiria over four days in January, with the Final on January 11, 2025.
Benfica look to shake off a disappointing display from their mid-week Champions League encounter which resulted in a loss to Dutch club Feyenoord. The loss was Bruno Lage's first in seven games since his rehiring at the club in mid September.
From the opening kick-off, the night took a sharp turn. Feyenoord struck first, sending the away fans into a frenzy and never looked back in a game that saw three goals called back due to VAR decisions, two against Feyenoord and one against Benfica.
Kerem Akturkoglu scored again to continue his hot start to the season cutting the Dutch sides lead in half with 24 minutes left in the game but some uninspiring coverage on a set piece in injury time ended any hope of gaining an equalizer as Feyenoord left Lisbon with all three points.
The Eagles will need to tighten their backline if they want to compete at this level. With five games remaining in the league, learning from their mistakes is crucial. Can they bounce back from this setback? The road ahead is tough, but this team has the heart to rise again even if they need to travel to Munich to face Bayern in two weeks.
This defeat was especially bitter for Bruno Lage. After an impressive six-game winning streak, losing at home would sting. The fans rallied behind him, hoping for a solid performance to keep the momentum. However, this setback raises questions. What went wrong? Was it the players’ mentality or issues with the game plan? Losing at home is like losing a piece of your own territory. The team will need to regroup and rethink their strategy moving forward.
Benfica is back on the field in Europe, as they prepare to face Feyenoord at home, the excitement is buzzing. This is their third match in the Champions League and Benfica is ready to keep their perfect run alive. Coach Bruno Lage is chasing his seventh win in a row since returning to the club and there’s plenty of momentum behind the team going into the game after a huge home win over Atletico Madrid in their last European contest.
Every time Benfica steps onto the pitch in the Champions League, there's a sense of thrill in the air. With two wins already under their belt, they’re feeling confident. They’ve scored goals, defended well, and shown flair. Facing Feyenoord, a strong Dutch side, they know this match is crucial.
Benfica’s attacking force has been impressive. Players are moving with speed and creativity. Fans are excited to see how they’ll break down Feyenoord’s defense. The team's chemistry is strong, and every player seems to be playing their best and knows their role.
Bruno Lage has a clear plan. His goal is to keep that winning streak alive. He emphasizes teamwork, and the players are buying into his vision. Lage encourages his squad to play attacking football while remaining solid at the back. This balance is key in high-pressure matches like this one.
In practice, you can see the preparations. The players are sharpening their skills and building confidence. They focus on passing, movement, and finding that perfect shot. Every detail counts when you’re eyeing a win in the Champions League.
Feyenoord is not to be underestimated as they have yet to lose in the Eredivisie and have suffered one loss all season which came at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen in this competition. They’ve got talent on their roster and experience in European competitions.
Playing at home is a big deal. Benfica has a passionate fan base that creates an electric atmosphere. When the fans cheer, it fuels the players. The Estádio da Luz will be packed, and the energy from the stands can lift the team to great heights.
Supporters will be chanting, waving flags, and creating a scene that boosts morale. This support can be the difference-maker in tight situations. Benfica thrives on that home advantage, and the players know how much it matters.
Riding high on a winning streak puts Benfica in a strong position. As they eye progression in the tournament, staying focused and determined will be vital. They can’t afford to overlook any detail.
The countdown to kick-off is on, and excitement is reaching a peak. Will Benfica extend their winning streak against Feyenoord? The pressure is on, but with Bruno Lage at the helm and a squad full of talent, they’re ready to give it their all on Wednesday.
Benfica's opponents today Pevidem currently play in the fourth tier of the Portuguese pyramid and hail from the Guimaraes region. Benfica should dress a line up that focuses on giving playing time to players that are normally substitutes but will need to be cautious in their approach to avoid a major upset.
Prestianni has appeared in seven games for Benfica this season across all competitions but he has yet to find the scoresheet in his 275 minutes of action with no goals or any helpers during his time on the field. The 18 year old could miss 5 competitive games for Benfica and the club will assess the injury over the next few weeks.
Sanches has had a rocky road with injuries throughout his career. It’s like trying to catch a butterfly with a net that has holes in it—no matter how hard he tries, something keeps slipping through. His latest muscle injury sidelined him, making it tough for him to contribute to the team.
Returning to Benfica feels like a comeback story waiting to happen. Sanches has always had the skills that shine bright on the field. He can dribble, pass, and shoot, making him a key player for the team. Benfica, known for its rich history and passionate fans, could be the perfect stage for him to show what he's got.
But will he be able to stay in the game long enough to make an impact? Every time he steps onto the pitch, there’s a shadow of doubt about whether he can remain injury-free. It’s similar to a tightrope walker; one wrong move, and it could all come crashing down.
Injuries have nagged Sanches like an unwelcome guest. His constant setbacks raise eyebrows and cause concern among fans and coaches, which brings his reliability to the squad in question. Sanches has appeared in only two games this season, both as a substitute.
As Sanches resumes training, fans hope this time will be different. With proper conditioning and care, he might just find a way to keep his body in check. But the lingering question remains: is this a fresh start, or just another chapter in a story of struggles?
Benfica fans are eager to see how Sanches will perform and whether he can shake off his injury woes. If he can find that balance between pushing himself and listening to his body, he might just turn the tide.
Sanches is hoping to get into action this upcoming weekend when Benfica enters the Taca de Portugal competition and face Pevidem in third round action.
The tournament will follow the same type of schedule and format as the World Cup. It will feature eight groups of four clubs and take place over a four week span, kicking off on June 15, 2025 with the Final taking place at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025.
Benfica are one of two Portuguese clubs taking part in the tournament with northern rivals FC Porto also qualifying for the competition through a point system as one of the eight best clubs over the past four seasons outside of Champions League winners. The group stage draw will take place on December 2024.
These clubs have qualified for the tournament:
UEFA (12): BENFICA, FC PORTO, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, RB Salzburg.
CONMEBOL (6): Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, River Plate, Boca Juniors, 2024 Copa Libertadores Winer
CONCACAF (5): Monterrey, Seattel, Leon, Pachuca, Host MLS Club
CAF (4): Al Ahly, Wydad, Mamelodi Sundowns, Esperance de Tunis
AFC (4): Al-Hilal, Urawa Red Diamonds, Al Ain, Ulsan
OFC (1): Auckland City
The remaining spot through CONMEBOL will be known at the end of the month and will go to either Botafogo, Atletico Mineiro or Penarol depending on who wins the competition, if River Plate are to win the competition then the final spot will go to Olympia.
The remaining spot through CONCACAF will be given to a host club which will come from the MLS. Rumour has it that Inter Miami will be given the final spot for capturing the Supporters Shield during this regular season. The spot could also go to the MLS Champion which will be decided in early December.
Although not official, the tournament is said to be set to award each competing club €50M for appearing with the eventually winner taking home over €100M in prize money.
Benfica is looking to strengthen their midfield and the move is expected to take place when the winter transfer window opens in January. Yuksek has been with Fenerbache since the summer of 2020. Although the 25 year old spent loan spells at Turkish sides Adana Demirspor and Bursaspor before becoming a main squad player during the 2022-23 season.
Benfica manager Bruno Lage would like to add a defensive midfielder to the squad in the mold of Florentino, which the club currently lacks at this time. Reports out of Portugal suggest that the club is open to paying €10M for the services of Yuksek when the transfer window opens.
Yuksek is under contract with Fenerbahce until the summer of 2027 and has appeared in 91 games for the club across all competitions, scoring twice while providing seven helpers. Yuksek has also been a regular member of the Turkish national side since 2022 and was a member of this summer's Euro 2024 tournament.
