Benfica moved into the Taca de Portugal quarter finals with a come from behind victory over Braga at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica who fell behind on an own goal by Ferro just 14 minutes into the game saw Pizzi and Carlos Vinicius continue their fine forms of late as each player chipped in a goal in each half to give Benfica the 2-1 win. Benfica manger made just one change from Saturdays squad inserting Zlobin in place of Vlachodimos as he looked to defeat Braga in a crucial encounter. Benfica will now await the upcoming draw to find out who their quarter final opponents will be.
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.
