Benfica set to kick off Taca campaign

Benfica will kick off their Taca de Portugal campaign this Saturday when they travel to face division three side Caldas in a one game knockout as the Lisbon side looks to recapture Portugal's premier knockout tournament trophy for the first time since the 2016/17 season and adding to their all time leading haul of twenty-six titles.

Look for Benfica to give their regular starting eleven a rest in this encounter as many players who have not seen regular minutes this season look to add their names to Roger Schmidt's options going forward. Benfica and Caldas will play October 15 with the game set to kick off at 8:45pm WEST at Caldas 13,000 seater.

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.