Benfica hold debate for new President

Benfica club members will elect a new President for the club on Saturday and for the first time in more then two decades the club held a Presidential debate between the two candidates Rui Costa and Francisco Benitez last night as both men look to succeed Luis Filipe Vieira who resigned during the summer after being arrested and accused of economic and financial crimes with the case awaiting a trial date.

The debate was held on Benfica TV and some of the candidates key messages were:

Rui Costa - prefers to keep things as they are, amid the clubs success on and off the field over the past decade with league titles and players sales. Costa plans to work with a group of people on everything Benfica.

Francisco Benitez - wants to change the structure of the SAD and install more directors on the football side to assist in making club decisions. Benitez also prefers that all directors are Benfica fans.

Both candidates did agree that holding onto youth players who develop at Seixal longer would be an advantage in competitive play and potentially add more to the coffers at a later date as these players values rise.

 

Rafa Silva dropped from Portugal squad with injury

Benfica forward Rafa Silva has been dropped by the Portuguese national side after failing his medical as the Selecao prepare for a friendly and World Cup 2022 qualifier over the next week. Rafa is reported to have suffered a right gonalgia injury in Benfica's game on Sunday against Portimonense, which is the swelling and bruising of his right knee, the timeline on how long Rafa will be out is reported to be about a week or two. Rafa joins Haris Seferovic and Valentino Lazaro in Benfica's infirmary, who are also out with muscle injuries.

Benfica perfect run comes to an end

On a night where across Europe some of the continent's top clubs suffered losses in their respective leagues, Benfica had their perfect start to the season come to an abrupt end at the hands of Portimonense 1-0 in front of their largest crowd since the start of the pandemic. Benfica remains in top spot in the league but have had their lead cut to just one point as the league rests for upcoming international play.

Benfica had chance after chance turned away in the first half by Portimonense keeper Samuel who had seven saves on the net and after coming off one of their biggest victories in many seasons over Barcelona during the week. Benfica looked to just run out of gas in the second half conceding a corner kick at the 65th minute mark. The loss is Benfica's first in a competitive match since losing in the final of the Taca de Portugal in May of this year.