Benfica went into their game against RB Salzburg knowing that they needed a two-goal victory if they were to continue playing in a UEFA competition this season, although it would have to be in the second-tier Europa League with advancement out of the Champions League group not happening this year.
When all was said and done, Benfica did just that, needing an additional time goal from the unluckiest of heroes, in Arthur Cabral, to seal a 3-1 victory in Austria in what may have just been their most complete game of the season. The final score was flattering to Salzburg, who were heavily outplayed in this contest, and if not for some poor finishing, the final score could have been double what it ended up being.
Benfica will now move into the Europa League playoff where they will face a group stage runner-up who is already in the Europa League with a spot in the round of 16 going to the eventual winner of the two-legged affair. Benfica will play the first contest at home, with the second leg against their opponent at their home stadium.
Benfica have turned their attention to Estoril winger Rafik Guitane and have opened talks with Estoril about the player according to reports coming from Portugal's Maisfutebol. Benfica are hoping to make a move for Guitane in January when the winter transfer window opens as they look to add depth to their squad.
Estoril value the 24 year old at €4M to €5M and hold 70% of the players rights with French club Stade Reims having the remaining 30%. Guitane spent part of last season on loan at Estoril and the prior two seasons with Maritimo.
Guitane has appeared in 18 games across all competitions this season, scoring four goals while providing two helpers.
Angel di Maria got a hero's welcome as you would expect for the 35 year old when it was announced that he was returning to Benfica after departing the club thirteen years earlier.
Di Maria signed a contract for one season with a salary in excess of €9M and it got off how you hoped as Di Maria netted the eventually game winner in Benfica's Super Cup triumph over bitter rivals FC Porto back in August.
Di Maria then started the league season on fire, potting five goals while providing two helpers in the club's first seven games of the season. Then the injury bug hit in early October, and Di Maria has since been a shell of the player who looked poised to carry this club on another spectacular run.
Di Maria has now gone pointless in his past five league games and past two Champions League games with his lone marker being a free kick in a League Cup game. Those are not the totals you want to see from a player over the past two months who makes double what any other player makes in the Portuguese League.
Some may say that Benfica's finishing has been less then clinical; I agree but when a 19 year old tends to be the club's best performer game in and game out over the past few months with the talent that this club should have, it speaks volumes about what Di Maria has failed to bring over that same span.
Argentinian side Rosario Central is hoping to bring Di Maria back home for his final season or two. I say, let him go and book the private jet to Buenos Aires and get this thing moving along; the sooner the better.
It is normal for players to go cold, but when they do, they need to bring other aspects of their games up while they try to get out of the funk. But when a player is cold and becoming a liability defensively for the squad, then it is time to sit his butt on the bench. Are you listening Roger Schmidt or Rui Costa?
