Benfica continued their perfect run in the Portuguese league season with their victory over Pacos Ferreira and have yet to drop points away from home at a perfect 9-0-0. The starting eleven saw a change by Bruno Lage with Rafa Silva taking over for Chiquinho in the secondary striker role behind Carlos Vinicius. The change would work to perfection with Rafa looking more dangerous in the opening 30 minutes then Chiquinho has in the last ten games. Benfica thought the had opened the scoring just twenty minutes into the game when Pizzi would tap in a Carlos Vinicius cross but VAR incorrectly called Vinicius offside and the game remained scoreless until a perfect pass by central defender Ruben Dias found Rafa Silva who would score his third goal since returning from injury at the 38th minute mark. Pizzi almost doubled the lead before the half but Pacos keeper Ricardo made a spectacular stop to keep the game within one. Carlos Vinicius though would double the lead just two minutes into the second half tapping in a Rafa Silva low cross into the box. The teams would not score again as Benfica open the second half of the season with a victory to open up a ten point lead atop Portugal with second place Porto yet to play their Week 18 game. Benfica will next host Belenenses at the Estadio da Luz in Week 19 action.
Benfica kick off the second half of the
season on the road against Pacos Ferreira. Benfica will look to maintain their lead atop Portugal as they travel to the northern Portugal club. Benfica will play Pacos Ferreira tomorrow at 5:30pm
WEST and they will dress 18 players from the list below.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin
Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Jardel, Andre Almeida,
Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Samaris, Julian Weigl, Rafa Silva, Gabriel
Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Seferovic, Jota
Benfica continue their search to add gifted offensive players to their current squad and with the recent departures of Raul de Tomas and Caio Lucas, the club have room on their roster to add a player that they feel can help the club going forward. Benfica's attention is currently on Lyon's 23 year old winger Maxwel Cornet according to reports coming from France dailies. Lyon who are now the front runners to land the services of Benfica midfield target Bruno Guimaraes for a reported €25M+ from Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense are said to be looking to add funds to their war chest in pursuit of Guimaraes and are open to listening to offers for the Ivory Coast International. Cornet joined Lyon in the winter of 2015 from French club Metz for a mere €400K and has appeared in 198 career games for Lyon across all competitions, scoring 45 goals while adding 23 assists over that same span. Cornet who is primarily a right winger can also play on the left side of the field and as a striker when needed. Benfica see Cornet in the role that Eduardo Salvio occupied with the club over the past few years before his summer departure to Boca Juniors and would give the club an option on the wing if and when they decide to use a 4-3-3 formation. No purchase price for Cornet has been reported but Benfica could expect to pay a transfer fee in the €15M-€20M range for his services.
