Benfica look to get back on track

Benfica will look to get back to their winning ways after dropping points this past weekend for the first time this season in what was a scoreless draw against Guimaraes. Benfica had arguably their worst first half performance of the season, where they mustered zero shots on net and looked sluggish after a lay off due to the recent International break.

Benfica had a thirteen game winning run snapped in the draw, the run saw the club win seven league games and six games through the Champions League competition. Benfica also failed to score for the first time this season. The club will have a tough task if they are to return to the win column as they get set to face French powerhouse PSG at home in a battle for top spot in group play as both clubs come into the contest having won both their opening group games.

Benfica linked to Colombian winger

Benfica scouts have been in Colombia with their eyes on Millonarios 21 year old winger Daniel Ruiz this past week according to reports from TV broadcaster DirecTV Sports. Benfica are not alone in their interest of Ruiz with Manchester City and Bragantino also linked to the Colombian youngster.

Ruiz has been a member of Millonarios since the start of 2021, spending the first year at the club on loan before Millonarios made they move permanent this year with Fortaleza for €310K. Ruiz has appeared in 90 games with Millonarios across all competitions, scoring twelve goals while setting up an additional eighteen.  

Fernando Santos does Goncalo Ramos disservice

Portugal manager Fernando Santos has led Portugal to another devastating loss in another crucial game once again after Portugal lost at home earlier today to Spain 1-0. This has become a recurring theme for the national side commencing after their 2019 UEFA Nations League title but the biggest head scratcher of the day was the disservice Santos gave to Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos.

Santos decided that it was the right call to not dress the 21 year old Ramos who is currently Portugal's highest goal scorer for club this season in a game that might just require Portugal to score a goal or two. Santos instead went with players that he was more familiar with, showing his loyalty, stubbornness and foolishness all by living on past morals.

I am not saying the Ramos should have started for Portugal today but a substitution into the game in the second half was more then warranted for a player who is currently in better form then any of his teammates. Ramos who has currently scored eight goals this season for Benfica while providing six assists has scored three more goals then the next closest player and is on par for assists with one other on the squad.

This alone should have given Santos the nerve to make sure the youngster was at least an option in a game that ultimately required a goal to move onto the tournaments final four stage but alas the choice made was bringing in Joao Felix who just three days ago was unfit to even dress for their game against the Czech Republic. Santos' has time to right his wrong with Ramos who may just be the nations first choice striker when the World Cup rolls around. We will all be watching.