Benfica scored a pair of second half goals from deflections with the first at the 58 minute mark by newcomer Joao Mario and the second which was awarded as an own goal in injury time from another new comer Roman Yaremchuk, who's shot deflected off two Spartak defenders into the net. Benfica and PSV will play their two leg playoff on August 17 and 24, with Benfica hosting the first leg.
The likely hood of injury is always present and with Otamendi and Vertonghen pushing close to their mid thirties, Benfica could use a center back with a little experience to shore up the fourth center back position. Benfica should look within the league to keep the cost low and a name that comes to mind is Moreirense's captain Lazar Rosic.
The Serbian has been in Portugal since the summer of 2016, spending time at Braga and Nacional before joining Moreirense. Rosic has appeared in 117 games since arriving in Portugal across all competitions, scoring 5 goals while setting up a pair. Rosic has the league experience to step in if one of the starting three were to go down with injury and would end up being a good insurance policy for the season.
Benfica will kick off their league season on the weekend against Moreirense before hosting Spartak in the second leg on Tuesday August 10th. If Benfica hang onto their advantage they will move onto the final playoff were they will take on the winner of PSV and Midtjylland were PSV have the advantage after posting a 3-0 victory on Tuesday.
