Benfica storm into next round after demolition of St Gallen

Benfica secured a dominant 5–0 victory over Swiss side St. Gallen at the Estadio da Luz today, successfully overturning a 2–1 first-leg deficit to advance 6–2 on aggregate into the next round of the Europa League. The undisputed hero of the evening was Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis, who netted a magnificent four goals in 74 minutes.

Pavlidis opened the scoring in the 11th minute and completely dismantled the visitors in the second half, striking again in the 55th, 65th, and 74th minute of the game. New signing Clement Lenglet capped off the glittering display with an 82nd-minute goal.

St. Gallen’s frustrations boiled over when Jozo Stanic was sent off following a second yellow card in the 57th minute. With this commanding comeback, Marco Silva's squad moves on to the next phase of the  competition, where they will take on Scottish side Hearts in a two leg affair. 

Benfica eyes Braga keeper Lukas Hornicek

Benfica is monitoring Sporting Braga’s starting goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek as a potential upgrade or replacement in goal. The 24-year-old Czech international has impressed with strong performances, since taking over the starting spot with Braga that has included clean sheets and key saves in the Portuguese League and European competitions, establishing himself as one of the league’s top young shot-stoppers. 

Acquiring Hornicek would likely require getting as close as possible to his €30 million release clause, a significant investment for the Eagles. Braga’s president Antonio Salvador has shown firmness on this valuation, rejecting structured deals in the past, such as recently from Hull City. Benfica would need to weigh this investment carefully, especially given their other squad priorities.

 

The interest ties directly to the future of current starter Anatoliy Trubin. Juventus along with other clubs have made inquiries for the Ukrainian shot stopper, with Benfica reportedly seeking in the range of €30 to €40 million. Shakhtar Donetsk would receive 40% on any future sale, which was part of the purchase price when Benfica acquired Trubin in the summer of 2023 for €10 million, which would reduce net proceeds.

If Trubin departs, Hornicek would slot in as the club's new starter with backup Samuel Soares, a homegrown talent, likely remaining as the deputy, providing continuity and depth while gaining more experience. This move would represent a strategic refresh in the goalkeeping department, balancing youth, proven domestic form and long-term potential.   

Benfica get reinforcements for crucial second leg Europa League game

As Benfica prepares for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round tie against St. Gallen this week at Estadio da Luz, a major boost has arrived for the club with the full return of their 2026 World Cup participants.

Key players including Fredrik Aursnes, Richard Rios, Andreas Schjelderup and Dodi Lukebakio have all arrived at the Luz as they were enjoying post-tournament rest after featuring at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The players are now back in training and expected to bolster Marco Silva’s squad. These internationals missed the challenging first leg in Switzerland, where a depleted Benfica side fell to a 2-1 defeat to the hosts.

The Eagles will welcome the greater squad depth with the integration of recent arrivals like Clement Lenglet and Jakub Kaminski, alongside academy talents who stepped up admirably in the first leg. With a one-goal deficit to overturn, the timely reinforcements provide fresh legs, tactical options and experience in the high-stakes European night.

Supporters are optimistic that the return of these stars will help Benfica assert dominance at home and over turn the first leg deficit to advance to the next phase of the competition and avoid an embarrassing drop to the Conference League if they fail to do so.

Marco Silva era commences with two slaps to face in Europa League loss

In a sobering start to the 2026-27 season, Benfica fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Swiss side St. Gallen in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round. For new head coach Marco Silva, it was a harsh introduction to the competitive season at the club, one that felt like two sharp slaps to the face on what should have been a night of promise even with a squad missing more than a handful of regulars thanks to the World Cup and injuries.

St. Gallen took a deserved lead in the 37th minute when Aliou Balde finished clinically from a tight angle beating Benfica keeper Anatoliy Trubin high after a high recovery and quick transition down the left side of the field. The goal exposed Benfica's vulnerabilities in possession and defensive organization. The Eagles would respond quickly, just before halftime through Rafa Silva, who slotted home  the ball following a fast break involving Vangelis Pavlidis. However, the hosts  would regain the lead in the 80th minute as Tom Gaal headed home unmarked from a Lukas Daschner free-kick, capitalizing on Benfica's continued poor marking.

Benfica struggled with ball retention against St. Gallen's intense pressing, looked disjointed in the midfield and lacked sharpness, partly due to several key players missing from the squad for the contest. Possession favored the visitors on paper, but St. Gallen created more danger and showed greater cohesion under coach Enrico Maassen. Errors in transition and marking proved costly for Silva's side on this night.

Despite the loss, there is tangible hope for the return leg at the Estadio da Luz next Thursday on July 30. Several World Cup participants, that include Tomas Araujo, Amar Dedic, Richard Rios, Andreas Schjelderup, Dodi Lukebakio and Fredrik Aursnes, are set to integrate with the club. With reinforcements like Clement Lenglet and Jakub Kaminski already in the squad, Benfica should field a far stronger and fitter XI capable of overturning the one-goal deficit at home.

Silva's debut exposed the challenges of an early European tie with a transitional squad, but the tie remains very much alive. A response in Lisbon will be essential to silence early doubters and launch the new era positively or this could be a long season and it's only July.

Benfica ready to kick off Europa League action Thursday

Benfica will kick off their Europa League campaign this Thursday when they travel to Switzerland to take on St. Gallen in a first leg contest before returning home on July 30 for the second leg.

Benfica enter the competitions second round qualifying stage and will be looking to advance to the third round with a victory where they would face the loser of the Sturm Graz and Hearts, Champions League two leg qualifier in the third qualifying round.

If Benfica were not to get past St. Gallen they would drop to the Conference League were they would take on the winner of Sheriff or Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the 3rd qualifying round.

Benfica are playing their earliest competitive match ever for a UEFA competition which is quite shocking for a club that came off an undefeated league season. Thanks to Torreense's triumph in the Taca de Portugal they took away the Eagles automatic entry to the league phase of the competition.

Benfica poised to secure Jhon Duran on loan from Al-Nassr

Benfica are on the verge of landing Colombian striker Jhon Duran on a season-long loan from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. The 22-year-old striker, known for his explosive pace, physicality and clinical finishing, could provide a dynamic option in the Portuguese League as Benfica looks to bolster their attacking options up front.

Details of the deal indicate that Al-Nassr will continue to cover a significant portion of Duran’s high salary, reportedly in the region of €15.3 million annually, with Benfica assuming a smaller share. This arrangement helps the Eagles manage their wage bill while securing a high potential talent. Reports suggest the loan may include a buy option, though it will not be a mandatory buy option.

Duran’s career has been nomadic yet productive. He began at Envigado in Colombia, scoring 9 goals in 47 appearances, before moving to MLS side Chicago Fire . A £18m switch to Aston Villa in January 2023 saw him net 20 goals in 78 matches, often as a high-impact substitute, which included strong Champions League showings.

In January 2025, he joined Al-Nassr for €77 million to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, scoring 12 goals in 18 appearances before being loaned to Fenerbahce and Zenit last season.  At just 22, Duran brings versatility, aerial ability and is a proven goal scoring threat. For Benfica, this move represents a low-risk, high-reward gamble on a player with international experience with Colombia and success in Lisbon could revive his trajectory back toward the elite level.  

Marco Silva asks Benfica President for reinforcements at certain positions

Newly appointed Benfica coach Marco Silva has urged club president Rui Costa to act swiftly in the transfer market, insisting on three key reinforcements to challenge for domestic and European success next season. Silva, who took charge of the Eagles with high expectations following his previous managerial spells, has identified critical areas needing immediate improvement.

The Portuguese tactician is specifically targeting a central midfielder to control games, an explosive winger capable of stretching opposition defenses and a striker to boost the team’s goal-scoring output in a starting or coming off the bench role. Silva believes the current squad, while talented, lacks the depth and balance required to compete at the highest level against rivals FC Porto and Sporting, as well as in the Europa League competition. President Rui Costa, known for his strategic approach to squad building, is now under pressure to deliver.

With the summer transfer window open, Benfica fans eagerly await announcements on reinforcements as Silva aims to stamp his tactical identity on the team. The club’s ambition remains clear for the 2026-27 season, reclaim the Portuguese League title along with any other trophy in Portugal and look to make a deep run in Europe. Silva’s requests could shape Benfica’s campaign significantly.

Could Benfica actually land Rafael Leao from Milan...

Benfica have emerged as one of the most concrete suitors for AC Milan winger Rafael Leao as the Portuguese international signals his desire for a new challenge ahead of the summer transfer window. The Eagles are monitoring the 27-year-old closely, with reports indicating that new bench boss Marco Silva is an avid supporter of such a move. AC Milan, under new manager Ruben Amorim, appear open to a sale after a disappointing campaign and have lowered their asking price to around €50 million.

Leao’s potential homecoming carries deep sentimental value. Born in Almada in 1999, the talented forward nearly joined Benfica’s academy as a youngster. He signed with the club but was left devastated when promised transportation failed to materialize, leading him to crosstown rivals Sporting instead. After progressing through Sporting’s academy, he made his senior debut in 2018, scoring once in four Primeira Liga appearances and winning the Taca da Liga. Leao moved to Lille in 2018. There, he impressed with 8 goals in 26 Ligue 1 matches during the 2018-19 season.

In 2019, AC Milan secured his services for €49.5 million. Leao blossomed into a star, playing a key role in their 2021-22 Serie A title triumph and earning the league’s MVP award in the process. Known for his explosive pace, dribbling and versatility on the left wing, he has become one of Europe’s most dynamic attackers. In the 2025-26 season, Leao recorded 9 goals and 3 assists in 29 Serie A appearances, plus adding another goal in the Italy Cup and appeared in 1,968 minutes of action across all competitions.

Any deal to Benfica would set a club record fee for the acquisition of a player but a player of Leao's skill set would be a boom for the Lisbon side and send a major statement to the league of the club's intent to return to the top of Portugal. Leao would get the fresh start his is looking for near family after seasons away from his homeland. Whether the move materializes remains to be seen, but interest from his boyhood club adds intrigue to the summer market and places other league club's on notice and we are sure someone will pick up Leao this time around.

Trabzonspor pushing hard to land Benfica winger Prestianni

Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor have intensified their pursuit of young Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni, with negotiations advancing rapidly this summer. The 20-year-old Benfica winger, who joined the Portuguese giants from Velez Sarsfield in early 2024 for €9 million, has emerged as a prime target following Trabzonspor's recent signing of former Benfica player Sidny Cabral.

Talks between the clubs are at an advanced stage. Multiple reports indicate official discussions have advanced, with Trabzonspor preparing a formal bid in the €20 million range plus performance bonuses, which is inline with what Benfica are opening to moving on from the player. Personal terms between the player and club appear close to an agreement, with the player reportedly open to a contract until 2030.

Benfica's openness to a sale stems from squad planning under new manager Marco Silva and the chance to secure a healthy profit on their investment after first-team minutes for the promising but raw attacker. Prestianni scored 3 goals and added 6 assists across all competitions in the 2025-26 season in 2,126 minutes of action. A move would allow Prestianni regular playing time in a competitive environment while providing the Eagles with funds as they look to reinforce their club for the coming season.

Benfica ready to trigger Cologne winger release clause

Benfica are reportedly set to activate the €20 million release clause in Jakub Kaminski’s contract, according to Sky Germany. The 24-year-old Cologne winger and Polish international has emerged as a prime target for  Benfica as they look to bolster their attacking options for the coming season.

Kaminski enjoyed a strong 2025-26 season on loan with Cologne from Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, appearing in 34 league matches. He scored 7 goals, while providing 5 assists and played 3,023 minutes of game time. Cologne made the loan move permanent for €5.5 million at the conclusion of the season.

His direct style, pace and ability to cut inside from the left flank made him one of the standout performers on the German club this past season. Born in Ruda Slaska, Poland the left winger began his career at Szombierki Bytom academy (2010-2015) before joining Lech Poznan’s youth setup. He progressed through Lech’s second team and then onto the senior side (2019-2022). 

A 2022 move to Wolfsburg followed, where he made over 70 appearances before the loan to Cologne revived his career. With interest also from clubs like RB Leipzig, Cologne remain hopeful of retaining the player, but Benfica’s willingness to meet the clause could accelerate a swift transfer. The move would represent a significant step in Kaminski’s development and what could turn out to be a valuable edition to Benfica.

Benfica open to a Trubin move if the right price comes along

The future of Anatoliy Trubin is being described as uncertain and it is reported that Benfica are open to moving on from player if a favorable financial offer is made to the club. Shakhtar retains a 40 percent sell on clause on Trubin, so they have a vested interest in the 24 year old keeper who cost Benfica 10 million euros back in the summer of 2023.

The shot-stopper quickly became the club's first-choice keeper, impressing with his commanding presence, shot-stopping and occasional goal-scoring heroics, including a memorable late strike against Real Madrid in this past seasons Champions League.

Across all competitions, Trubin has made 149 appearances for Benfica. His consistent performances have drawn Premier League attention, with Benfica potentially open to offers of around €40 million. A departure would mark the end of a successful but relatively short chapter for the talented Ukrainian international.

Benfica have Portugal U21 international keeper Samuel Soares on deck and the hope is that the club will give the youngster an opportunity to take hold of the starting keeper position but would be wise to sign a veteran back stopper who does not mind playing a supporting role to Soares.