Darwin on way to becoming most wanted man in Europe

Benfica acquired Darwin Nunez from second division side Almeria last summer for a club record €24M and the though was that the club had found a diamond in the rough but although Nunez's season started off well, injuries and inconsistency plagued his first campaign with the Lisbon side. The 22 year old appeared in 44 games across all competitions with the club scoring 14 goals while setting up another 12 but Nunez scored just 2 goals for the club from mid February on.

Fast forward to the 2021/22 season and the 22 year old seems to have found his place in a front trio with newly acquired striker Roman Yaremchuk and Portuguese speedster Rafa Silva. Nunez has scored six goals in his first seven games and none more impressive then his brace performance against Barcelona in this past weeks Champions League, which caught the attention of many of Europe's top clubs. Benfica have already stated that Darwin will go no where during the season but can the club resist the millions that will be thrown it's way during the summer transfer months?

It is not expected that Darwin will keep up his torrid pace to start the season but a more consistent performance could see the youngster become the second all time highest player sold by the club when the summer of 2022 arrives. Nunez has already been linked with clubs, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Inter in the past week and it is likely that more of Europe's big names will be added as the season progresses. Darwin's age and field position could be worth a range of €60M-€80M, a hefty amount that Benfica could add to it's coffers and strengthen the clubs finances, but for now let us sit back and enjoy the performance of the Uruguayan who is slowly becoming Europe's most wanted man.

Benfica get stunning win in Champions League

Benfica have earned a stunning victory over Spanish giants Barcelona in Champions League action today, their first victory over Barcelona in Europe since the 1960-61 European Cup final, a span of over 60 years.

Benfica did not take long to show off their current in form front three of Roman Yaremchuk, Darwin Nunez and Rafa Silva, as Nunez opened the scoring for the home side just three minutes into the game with a great strike to the bottom left corner after taking a pass from Weigl. Benfica almost doubled their lead when Yaremchuk beat his defenders and got off a shot that was stopped by Barca keeper Ter Stegen. Barcelona almost brought the game level but a shot by Pedri just missed the bottom left corner. Barcelona dominated possession for the remainder of the half but Benfica kept the Spanish side an arms length away. Benfica did lose right back Valentino Lazaro to injury just at the conclusion of the half.

Benfica came out in the second half ready to attack and not sit back on the lead coming close just seven minutes in when Nunez caught Ter Stegen way off his line and rang his shot off the outside of the right post. It took Barcelona a while to get their composure in the half but Benfica continued to turn away the Barcelona attack until Rafa Silva doubled Benfica's lead at the 69 minute mark, smashing a Joao Mario rebound into the top of the net after a nifty one two pass in play between Mario and Yaremchuk. Benfica would then put the game out of reach after a VAR review saw the Lisbon club awarded a penalty when Gilberto's header went off the out stretched arm of defender Sergino Dest. Darwin Nunez would add his second of the game as Benfica took complete control of the game and handed Barcelona their second straight loss of the competition.

Top Stats

Benfica                                        Barcelona

40%       Ball Possession        60%

12           Total Shots               8

11        Chances Created         7 

84%         Pass Success          89%

12         Fouls Conceded         15 

4                Corners                5

1               Offsides                4

6          Shots on Target         1

Benfica ready to keep unbeaten season intact

Benfica have yet to lose a game in a competitive match this season as they get set to host Spanish giant Barcelona at home on Wednesday night in Champions League action. Benfica who's season kicked off August 4th as they went through qualifying for the group stage, have remained unbeaten going 10-2-0 in twelve matches of competitive play to start the season.

Benfica look to keep the unbeaten run intact when they take on Barcelona and are hoping to make a statement in this game that the club means business this season. Benfica's front three of Roman Yaremchuk, Darwin Nunez and Rafa Silva should cause Barcelona fits during the game with a mixture of speed and power as manager Jorge Jesus heads into the game feeling confident of his clubs chances.

Benfica's opening Champions League game ended in a scoreless draw in Kiev against Dynamo but the club was unfortunate not to walk away with all three points. If Benfica is to advance to the round of 16, this home game against a weaker Barcelona side then in the past turns into a must win game for the Lisbon club. Benfica's last win against Barcelona was all the way back in the 1960/61 European Cup Final, a 3-2 victory.