Benfica squeak out another victory in the Portuguese League with their 1-0 defeat over Setubal at the Estadio da Luz. It took substitute Carlos Vinicius' goal at the 64th minute for Benfica to earn all three points. Benfica decided to move from a failing strike partnership and started just Seferovic up front with youngster Gedson Fernandes acting as the secondary striker. The first half did not see much action from both clubs with the first and only real scoring chance of the half going to Pizzi at the 35 minute mark when his left footed shot from a difficult angle was stopped by Setubal keeper Makaridze. The second half opened with a Setubal break out were Mansilla was partially in alone on Vlachodimos but his shot went wide off the side netting.
Benfica would then score from a mad scramble off a Grimaldo corner. The teams first shot was stopped by Makaridze off a Ferro kick but Benfica would gain position again after a poor Setubal clear and Rafa Silva's cross was tipped by Makaridze right to striker Carlos Vinicius who's first touch put him in scoring position at the center of the box and he made no mistake to give Benfica the 1-0 lead. Benfica then were reduced to ten men when midfielder Taarabt was handed a straight red card for a hard challenge on Zequinha at the 80th minute. Benfica would then tighten their defensive game as they hung on to defeat Setubal. Next up for Benfica is a Champions League encounter in Russia versus Zenit
Benfica have released their squad for
their Week 7 upcoming game against Setubal, Benfuca will look to
get back to their winning ways after a scoreless league cup draw midweek against Guimaraes. The game is September 28 at 7pm WEST.
They will select 18 players from the list below at game time to
dress.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin
Defenders- Ruben Dias, Ferro, Alex Grimaldo, Jardel, Andre Almeida, Tomas Tavares
Midfielders- Pizzi, Rafa Silva, Caio Lucas, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Fejsa, Gedson Fernandes, Gabriel
Forwards- Seferovic, Raul de Tomas, Jota, Carlos Vinicius
Bordeaux approached Benfica in the summer transfer window with an interest in acquiring midfielder Gabriel from the club. Bordeaux who is managed now by former Benfica player Paulo Sousa wanted to see the midfielder in France this season but Benfica manager Bruno Lage was quick to put the brakes on any deal away from the Lisbon side. Negotiations did not even get to discussing dollars as Bruno Lage feels that Gabriel when healthy is an integral part of the Benfica squad. Gabriel who joined Benfica from Leganes in the summer of 2018 for €8M, had a slow start to his career with the Eagles under former manager Rui Vitoria.
It was not until Lage took over at the club that Gabriel would see regular action, appearing in 10 out of the clubs 11 games before a knee injury would knock him out for the season with 7 games remaining. Gabriel has been hit with the injury bug again this season and has not appeared in a league game after sustaining a collateral ligament injury in the season opening Super Cup against Sporting. The Luso/Brazilian midfielder though is inching closer to a return to the club and Bruno Lage will be counting on the 26 year old to take control of the clubs midfield, a role which he has excelled with at the club since Lage arrived.
