Benfica squad for second leg encounter against Shakhtar

Benfica go into their second leg showdown against Ukraine side Shakhtar Donetsk at the Estadio da Luz coming off their first victory in four games and looking to avenge their 2-1 first leg loss last week. Benfica need a victory and a goal to have any chance of moving into the round of 16 and are hoping to take the momentum of their latest victory to heart. Benfica play Shakhtar today at 8pm WEST and they will dress 18 players from the list below.

Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar

Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl, David Tavares

Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Seferovic, Jota, Dyego Sousa

Benfica Player Profile: Nuno Gomes

Nuno Gomes (Striker)

Years Active (1994-2014)

Benfica Career (1997-2000) (2002-2011)

Born: July 5, 1976 (43 years old)

Nuno Gomes

Nuno Gomes started his playing career with Benfica in 1997 after making the move from Boavista where he was a member of the clubs youth teams since 1997. Nuno Gomes spent three seasons at Benfica scoring over 60 goals in over 100 club appearances before moving to Italian side Fiorentina in 2000 for €17M. Gomes returned to Benfica in 2002 on a free transfer after Fiorentina were relegated in Italy.


Gomes return to Benfica did not go as well at the start as his first with the striker battling a series of injuries from 2002 to 2005 and appearing in less then 70 games. Gomes though was a member of the clubs league winning squad in 2004/05 their first league championship in over 10 years. Gomes would add an additional six trophies during his time with Benfica while scoring 166 goals in 399 games across all competitions.

Gomes International career was just as successful being named to the Euro 2000 starting eleven all star squad and scoring 29 goals during his time as a member of the senior side to sit fifth all time. Gomes called it a career in 2013 after future stops at Braga (2011-12) and Blackburn (2012-13) and returned to Benfica as a director of the clubs academy before parting ways in 2017.

Benfica snap winless skid to regain top spot

Benfica finally snap a four game winless skid across all competitions dating back to February 4ths Taca de Portugal semi-final game with a narrow 1-0 victory over Gil Vicente in Week 22 action. The victory moves Benfica back into top spot leaping over FC Porto and remaining one point ahead of their nearest and only rival to the title this season. Benfica got an early goal from Carlos Vinicius who headed home a Taarabt cross for his league leading 15th goal of the season at the 15 minute mark. The lead was almost surrendered two minutes later but Gil Vicente's Baraye missed a golden opportunity to equalize. Gil Vicente was the lively of the two clubs for most of the middle part of the half and if not for some stellar goalkeeping by Vlachodimos Benfica's lead would have vanished. Carlos Vinicius would then score his second of the game but his goal would not stand and was called back offside at the 35th minute. Then just before the half Vinicius' out reached leg would not get to the low cross placed across the crease by defender Ruben Dias and Benfica went into the half with a 1-0 lead. Benfica's Taarabt almost doubled the clubs lead at the 66th minute mark but his left footed shot would clang off the crossbar and out. Vlachodimos would come up with one more big save when he stopped a close range shot by Hugo Vieira at the 73rd minute, Gil Vicente's last real threat of the game as Benfica held firm for the 1-0 victory. Benfica will now turn their attention to Thursdays second leg Europa League encounter against Shakthar Donetsk at home as the club looks to overturn a 2-1 first leg loss.