Alex Grimaldo done for the year with injury

Alex Grimaldo suffered an injury in yesterdays league game against Belenenses and is set to miss the remainder of 2020. Grimaldo suffered a severe sprain to his left ankle on a sliding tackle to stop a Belenenses attack and was immediately substituted. Benfica will turn to youngster Nuno Tavares and also have the option of using Franco Cervi in the position if needed. Grimaldo is the second regular starter set to miss an extended amount of time with an injury joining right back Andre Almeida.

Benfica getting ready to host fans for first time since pandemic

Benfica will be allowed to host fans for the first time since the shut down in March due to the current world pandemic when they host Standard Liege in Europa League action Thursday. On October 17 Benfica received authorization from the Ministry of Health and the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) to allow for 7.5% of Estadio da Luz's capacity (65,000), this means Benfica will be able to have 4,875 fans in the stands. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow exclusively to club members and can only be purchased online to avoid cluster of fans getting together to purchase tickets. This will be Benfica's first home game with fans since their league home game against Moreirense on March 2.

Its Darwin, Darwin, Darwin in Europa League action

Benfica opened their Europa League campaign in Poland with a 4-2 victory over Lech Poznan as last seasons second place clubs in their respective leagues squared off. Benfica opened the scoring just eight minutes into the encounter as Pizzi converted from the penalty spot after a hand ball in the area by defender Tomasz Dejewski. Pizzi's opening goal was the first goal of the competition, thus enshrining the midfielder into the UEFA history books as the first scorer of the 2020-21 Europa League.

Poznan brought the game to level just six minutes later when a low left footed shot from striker Mikael Ishak inside the six yard box found the bottom left corner. Benfica would regain the lead just before the half when right back Gilberto's cross found the head of striker Darwin Nunez as the Uruguayan scored his first goal in Benfica colours and first in a European competition. The lead was once agian short lived as just two minutes into the start of the second half Ishak would strike once again on a rebound to level the game 2-2.