Benfica inching closer to round of 16

Benfica traveled to Paris to take on PSG in game 4 of their Champions League group and will head home with a satisfying point after fighting to a 1-1 draw once again. The two clubs played to the same 1-1 scoreline less then a week ago in Lisbon and sit jointly atop their respective group tied on points with eight a piece.

Benfica and PSG both received good news before kickoff after Maccabi Haifa took down Juventus in an earlier contest and both clubs sit five points clear of the pair. Benfica at this time would just require a win in their final two games to clinch a spot in the round of 16 once again this season and have a shot a claiming top spot in a group that could come down to goal differential.

 

Antonio Silva wanted by Europe's elite

Benfica's 18 year old center back Antonio Silva was given an opportunity to play for the main club thanks to a flurry of injuries to the clubs center back position this season and the youngster has taken the bull by the horns with poise and showing the confidence of a long time veteran in Benfica's starting XI.

Silva who was a relative unknown until a little over a month ago to all but the clubs most diehard fans has pushed aside all competitors to play along side Otamendi and his play has caught the attention of some of Europe's most elite clubs with Real Madrid and Manchester United all ready to make a move for the youngster.

Silva has been a part of Benfica's organization since 2016, joining the club from little known Viseu United at the tender age of 13 and moving to the clubs famous Sexial Academy where he completed his development. Silva was also a member of Benfica's winning 2021 UEFA Youth League squad, bringing home the clubs first UEFA trophy since Eusebio's famous Benfica sides of the sixties.

Benfica were quick to sign Silva to a new contract on September 5th, pushing his buy out clause to €100M to avoid the fate of losing the 18 year old for a lower value.

Benfica perform a masterclass against PSG

Benfica's best performance of the season did not result in a victory but the home draw in Champions League action against powerhouse French side PSG was a masterclass to watch. Benfica were not intimidated by PSG's attacking trio of Mpappe-Neymar-Messi and made sure to push back when they were pushed in a first half that they were the better side of the two clubs. PSG were fortunate to go into the half tied at one a piece thanks to some solid defending by keeper Donnarumma.

The second half saw PSG turn up their game but Benfica held their own and when the French club did get on goal, Benfica keeper Vlachodimos made sure to turn them away time and time again. Benfica got oh so close to shocking PSG in the 80th minute as a Rafa run got him past both PSG defenders and only a big stop again by Donnarumma keep the game even.

The clubs emotions came to a boiling point at the final whistle with both sides exchanging words on the field, we will not need to wait long for an encore as Benfica travel to Paris on Tuesday to take on PSG in a return match as both clubs sit tied at eight points a piece atop their group, let's hope for another thriller Tuesday as Benfica's confidence will surely get a boost going into the game.