Benfica are being linked with Famalicao midfielder Gustavo Assuncao as one of their first summer transfer acquisitions. The 19 year old defensive midfielder joined Famalicao from Atletico Madrid's under 19 squad on a free transfer in July of 2019 and has appeared in 29 games across all competitions chipping in one assist. Benfica who acquired Julian Weigl during the past transfer window, would be adding to a place of strength with Seixal academy product Florentino Luis and Greek international Samaris all able to play in the defensive midfield role. Benfica may be better suited to look at landing a central defender or right back which are two positions that the club needs to reinforce. The move for Assuncao may just be a future move for Benfica who could loan Assuncao out right away to gain experience while owning the players rights for any potential sale or to join the club as a replacement once other players are sold.
Benfica went down to Setubal for Week 24 action and when the final whistle blew, the club left with another 1-1 draw and more questions then answers as they dropped points once again in league play. Benfica who have just one victory across all competitions in their last eight games, look like a club that is out of ideas while manager Bruno Lage who just over a year ago was the clubs savior and to some the greatest manager ever seems to have lost his creativity to get this club going as he searches for answers with the season on the line. Benfica for the second week in a row escaped with a draw thanks to Pizzi penalty conversation but the midfielder would later go on to miss another from the spot, his second miss in as many weeks costing the club a chance at all three points. Striker Carlos Vinicius has also been bitten with the bug scoring just one goal in his last seven competitive games. Benfica luckily stayed within a point of league leaders FC Porto who failed to capitalize and move up by three points drawing themselves at home against Rio Ave. What has happened to the club who coming into February was on a 16 game unbeaten run across all competitions and held a seven point lead atop Portugal? Joao Felix has been gone all season but the club has been missing his presence having not found an adequate replacement.
Benfica's tail spin has finally cost them top spot after another poor outing against Morereinse in Week 23, the Eagles travel to Setubal hoping to get their season and title hopes back on trap. Benfica will play Setubal today
at 6pm 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
Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa
