Benfica kicked off their group stage game in the League Cup or as it is better known in Portugal the Taca da Liga against Guimaraes today in what was very dull game at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica and Guimaraes ended they same way that the game begun with zeros on the scoreboard. Benfica started 8 different faces from the squad that defeated Moreirense over the weekend, with Zlobin, Tomas Tavares, Nuno Tavares, Jardel, Samaris, Gedson, Jota and Caio Lucas joining Taarabt, Ruben Dias and Seferovic in the starting eleven.
Benfica seemed to be content in taking the opportunity to rest some of their regular faces and all the new faces came out flat in the first half, if not for the post in the first half foiling striker Bonatini strike, the Eagles could have found themselves down one. The second half saw a more aggressive Benfica squad and the entries of Rafa Silva and Gabriel, the latter's first appearance since suffering an injury in the season opening added a more intense and pressing game that was lacking. Benfica though could not find a way past Guimaraes' stingy defense and both squads seemed happy to end the game with a scoreless draw. Next up for Benfica is a home game against Setubal on Saturday.
Benfica and Sporting are set to battle for FCSB winger Florinel Coman when the transfer window opens in January. The 21 year old winger has caught the eye of both Lisbon clubs with his performances this season. Coman who has played regular first team footbal since the 2017/18 season the same year that he joined Romanian powerhouse FCSB from Viitorul. The youngster has already appeared in 83 games across all competitions for FCSB, scoring 20 goals and setting up another 19. The reports coming from Digi Sport in Romania state that both Lisbon clubs would need to cough up over €20M to acquire the winger a price tag that would include bonuses for FCSB to consider selling Coman to either club.
According to reports coming out of England, Manchester City will be after Benfica defender Ruben Dias when the January transfer window opens in 2020. Man City are currently missing their regular starting center backs and have not been impressed by the play of their substitutes which has City ready to enter the transfer market. Benfica have recently signed a new deal with Dias until the end of the 2024 season and have been firm in approached by other clubs, that they want Dias' €88M buy out clause met. Dias is another home grown product from Benfica's Seixal academy and has been a member of the main squad since the 2017/18 season. Dias has appeared in 92 games across all competitions for Benfica to date, scoring 8 times while setting up three.
