Benfica head to Amsterdam with hope

Benfica with a strong second half performance in their Champions League round of 16 encounter against Ajax yesterday has given their fans something to talk about, some may say even some hope going into their second leg encounter in Amsterdam after the 2-2 draw. Benfica's second half, had the favoured Dutch side on the ropes and they could have even won the game if a break or two had gone their way. This coming after a first half that saw the club for the most part, hanging on for dear life.

The club that emerged from the half came out with a purpose and surprised many fans, myself included with their fine play. Benfica will now need to duplicate that second half as they travel to Amsterdam to face the Dutch club on March 15 if they are to have any chance of advancing to the quarter-final stage and pocketing an additional €10.6M from UEFA for doing so. With the away goal rule abolished this season, Benfica has one less thing to be concerned about heading into the game that looks like a winner take all affair.

 

Botafogo in talks with Benfica for Gilberto

Brazilian club Botafogo are looking to land Benfica's 28 year old right back Gilberto as businessman and new club owner John Textor is set to travel to Lisbon to meet with Benfica officials to seal the move. Textor is the same Textor who had his advancements to purchase a percentage of Benfica rejected late last year by the board. Botafogo are said to be ready to pay Benfica around €4M for the services of Gilberto.

Gilberto joined Benfica in the summer of 2020 for €3M from Brazilian side Fluminense but has failed to wrestle away the regular starting role at the club. Gilberto has appeared in 59 games across all competitions since his arrival, scoring four goals while setting up an additional three. The Brazilian transfer window closes April 12 so Gilberto would be able to leave immediately if terms are agreed.

 

Benfica set for Ajax with little hope of advancing

Benfica get set to face Dutch side Ajax in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 in Lisbon and head into the game having dropped points in four out of their last eight league games with the latest poor performance happening just this past Friday that saw the club blow a two goal lead to draw against Boavista.

Current intern manager Nelson Verissimo looks out of his league managing this club and that gives us Benfica supporters little hope that the club will advance past current Dutch league leaders and Champions League group stage winners Ajax. Benfica have conceded ten goals in nine games across all competitions in 2022 and take on an Ajax side that has scored 28 goals in 2022 in just seven games across all competitions.

Benfica will have their hands full in Lisbon on Wednesday in what looks set to be a high scoring affair but even if the club can miraculously escape the game with a draw or a surprising win. They will then need to head to Amsterdam for the second leg of this encounter were Ajax have not dropped any points since early November 2021. Benfica fans have hope as that is all you can find in the Pandora box of the season the club has had.