Joao Felix is fighting for playing time at Atletico Madrid and last started a game for the club almost six weeks ago. Felix has had moments of brilliance at Atletico but the teams style of play seems to always thwart any chances of Felix showing the offensive form that we became accustomed to in his one season at Benfica.
Now come the rumours circulating that Felix could make a return to the Luz when the January transfer window opens according to Mundo Desportivo. The 22 year old arrived at Atletico from Benfica in the summer of 2018 for a jaw dropping €127M transfer fee but has failed to live up to the expectations placed upon him after his arrival for the record breaking fee, an all time high for Atletico Madrid.
Felix's return to Benfica would be on loan for the remainder of the season if it were to happen and would give the club another adequate attacking option as they look to recapture the Portuguese League crown once again and make a deep run in the Champions League after qualifying for the round of 16 earlier this week.
Benfica will return to the Champions League round of 16 for the second consecutive season after holding on for a 4-3 victory over Juventus earlier today at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica were lead by a sparkling performance from Rafa Silva who scored a brace and was a mere goal post away from making it a hat trick.
Benfica also got goals from 18 year old sensation Antonio Silva, who scored his first goal for the senior side and became the second youngest player to score a goal for Benfica after Goncalo Guedes, while Joao Mario chipped one in from the penalty spot. Benfica still have the top spot in the group to play for as they sit tied in points with PSG with one game remaining but trail the tiebreaker in goal differential.
Benfica add roughly an additional €10M to their bank roll for qualifying for the round of 16 and have earned close to €60M this season in the competition.
Benfica went into the Dragao looking to snap a nine game win less run against FC Porto in all competitions and put that streak to rest with a 1-0 victory over ten man Porto with a second half goal from Rafa Silva. Benfica remain unbeaten on the season and more importantly are now six points clear of their second place rivals after ten league games.
Porto came out flying to start the game as they looked to send a message to their rivals but were undone when midfielder Stephen Eustaquio was shown a red card at the 27th minute mark, picking up his second yellow card for a hard late challenge on Benfica right back Alexander Bah. Eustaquio let his emotions get the best of him with the pair of yellows coming just three minute apart and both against Bah.
HIGHLIGHTS
Benfica almost opened the scoring at the 37th minute when Fredrik Aursnes' shot went off the post directly to Rafa Silva, the winger sent his header off the cross bar with a wide open goal. Benfica manager Schmidt then decided to make a triple substitution at the half, with a build up of yellow cards and a fear of seeing his club reduced to ten man.
The second half was a hard fought encounter and it was not until the 72nd mark that a pretty give and go between David Neres and Rafa Silva, saw the later open the scoring for Benfica. The goal was not without its controversy after first being waved off for offside before a VAR review over turned the on field call and gave Benfica the lead.
Benfica almost doubled their lead in injury time but Porto keeper Diogo Costa batted away a cross deflected off his own defender off the goal line. The game ended with Porto manager Sergio Conceicao picking up a red card after he showed his displeasure with the result of the game.
Benfica will now face Juventus on Tuesday needing a point to advance to the round of 16.
.jpg "Could Joao Felix be coming home...")
