Thanks to the current COVID-19 pandemic effecting the globe, UEFA is looking at safer alternatives to host their Champions League Final and Benfica's Estadio da Luz has been mentioned as a potential host stadium to conclude the 2019/20 tournament. UEFA currently have security concerns with hosting the final in Istanbul as was originally the case and are thinking of condensing the tournament for the final eight with a one game elimination format all in one country. This would reduce travel and safety concerns as well as reducing the amount of games that are normally played. Lisbon is considered an ideal location with their newer stadiums, low COVID numbers and with no Portuguese clubs remaining in the tournament, no one club would have any type of advantage with no fans set to attend the games. Benfica's Estadio da Luz last hosted the Champions League final in 2014 which pitted an all Madrid showdown between Real and Atletico.
With Benfica set to return to action on Thursday at home against Tondela, reports out of Portugal have stated that Bruno Lage looks to have his starting eleven picked and ready when league play recommences. Lage is said to be looking to go with Vlachodimos, Andre Almeida, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Alex Grimaldo, Gabriel, Julian Weigl, Rafa Silva, Pizzi, Taarabt and Carlos Vinicius in the starting eleven against Tondela. The long layoff has benefited the club when it's come to it's injury list with the return to action of players Andre Almeida and Gabriel who were out of the lineup at the time of stoppage. Their return to the lineup will see Lage experiment with midfielder Taarabt in the secondary striker/attacking midfielder role along side striker Carlos Vinicius. Benfica have ten games remaining in the season and will look to kickoff their return to play with a win over Tondela.
Benfica have let it be known through their social media channels that they will place a club scarf on all the stadium seats during their final five league home games. The initiative by the club wants the scarves to be sent in by the clubs members who can mail in their club scarves, drop them off at the clubs official stores or through Casas do Benfica. Benfica has labelled the campaign "We don't lower our arms" and look to replicate the chilling moment when the clubs hymn is sung by the fans by having a piece of every club member represented at the games.
