According to reports coming from German tabloid newspaper Bild, Benfica are currently in discussions with the agent of Borussia Dortmund's defensive midfielder Julian Weigl. Benfica would like the 24 year old to make the move to the Luz when the January transfer window opens as they look to shore up a position that the club is currently lacking in. Weigl who is no longer a regular choice of Dortmund manager Lucien Favre is in favour of a move out of the German club in January whether it be on loan or on permanent basis. Weigl joined Dortmund in the summer of 2015 from 1860 Munich for a transfer fee of €2.5M and has appeared in 170 games across all competitions for the German side. Weigl has also appeared in five games with the German national side after earning his first cap in May 2016. Benfica who currently have an aging and often injured Fejsa and an inexperienced Florentino in the defensive midfield role with a sprinkle of Greek midfielder Samaris when Lage feels the need, would have an instant upgrade in the position with the acquisition of Weigl and the German national could expect regular minutes with the Lisbon club.
Benfica will take on Ukrainian Champions Shakhtar Donetsk in the round of 32 in Europa League action after today's completed draw. The two clubs who finished third in their respective Champions League groups earning them a chance to continue European football this season will square off for the first time since being paired in the same Champions League group during the 2007/08 campaign. Benfica and Shakhtar split their two games with each club winning in each others respective stadiums. The two leg playoff will open up in Donetsk on February 20 with the second leg being played at Benfica's Estadio da Luz on February 27. Shakhtar who is coached by Portuguese manager Luis Castro will present a tough test for Benfica who will be looking to start off the two leg encounter with a good road game.
Benfica will go into 2020 on top of the Portuguese League after their convincing 4-0 victory over feel good story Famalicao at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica cruised to victory and were led once again by Pizzi and Carlos Vinicius, the leagues co-top scorers.
Vinicius would open the scoring late in the first half when he would tip in a Chiquinho pass, this would vault the striker into sole possession of the golden boot, moving one goal in front of Pizzi. This would only last until the second half when Pizzi would score a brace to push Benfica's lead to three goals with Chiquinho getting a helper on one of Pizzi's goals for his second assist of the evening. Pizzi would then become play maker on Benfica's final goal of the game setting up Caio Lucas for his first league goal of the season and only goal that he has scored wearing Benfica colours.
Benfica's next league game will not be until January 4 as they travel to Guimaraes but Benfica will be in action twice before the new year with an upcoming Wednesday in Taca de Portugal against Braga before traveling to Setubal to play their final group game in the Taca da Liga on the 21st.
