Benfica get season going on the wrong foot

 

Benfica started the defense of their league title with a very sloppy performance against Boavista that proved costly as the Lisbon club lost their season opener for the first time in over ten seasons suffering a 3-2 loss.

Benfica opened the scoring in the first half when Rafa Silva fed Angel di Maria who converted to give the visitors the lead but a straight red card received by striker Petar Musa early in the second half would see Benfica go down a man for the remainder of the game.

Boavista would bring the game level before Rafa Silva restored Benfica's lead with fifteen minutes to play. Benfica looked set to take home the three points until Antonio Silva's aggressive tackle in the penalty box sent Boavista to the spot to bring the game level once more at the ninetieth minute.

Boavista would score the winner thirteen minutes into injury time when Benfica was caught pressing for the winning marker and napping on the back end as Boavista striker Bozenik broke out all alone to seal the clubs fate with his second marker of the game.

Benfica set to kick off season tomorrow against Boavista

As the new football season approaches, fans of Benfica are eagerly awaiting the start of their team's campaign. After a successful season last year, where they clinched the league title, Benfica is determined to defend their crown and continue their dominance in Portuguese football this season.

Under the guidance of manager Roger Schmidt, Benfica has built a formidable squad that possesses both skill and depth. The team boasts a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talents who have already shown great potential. With players like Angel di Maria, Rafa Silva, David Neres and Arthur Cabral leading the attack, Benfica's offensive prowess is undeniable.

However, defending their title will not be an easy task. With rivals FC Porto and Sporting having also strengthened their squads during the transfer window and Braga hoping to make the league the Big Four. The competition promises to be fierce as each team vies for supremacy.

Tomorrow's opening match at Bessa against Boavista will kick off their campaign as the club looks to start the season on a positive note and secure three points. Benfica will count on their fans unwavering support to play a part in motivating the players throughout the season and turn their Estadio da Luz in a fortress once again this season.

Benfica win Super Cup and land two more players

Benfica have had an eventful 24 hours, as the club captured the 2023 edition of the Portuguese Super Cup after defeating rivals FC Porto 2-0 to kick off the Portuguese season. Then the club moved to shore up their squad with the acquisition of striker Arthur Cabral and keeper Anatoliy Trubin.

Benfica defeated FC Porto yesterday on second half goals by Angel di Maria and Petar Musa, picking up their first Super Cup since 2019 and then today the club announced the signings of striker Arthur Cabral from Fiorentina for €20M with an additional €5M in add ons and keeper Anatoliy Trubun from Shakhtar Donetsk for €10M plus €1M in add ons with Shakhtar set to make an additional 40% on the future sale of their former number one.

Benfica are also still in talks with Wolverhampton on a season long loan of winger Goncalo Guedes who spent the second half of last season at the club appearing in 15 games across all competitions, scoring two goals.