Benfica blow chance to move on in Taca da Liga

Benfica failed once again to capture the Taca da Liga Cup after not being able to get past Estoril in yesterday's semi-final encounter. Benfica fell behind in the first half but equalized early in the second, but could not find the winner before being taken to penalties and losing 5-4 to Estoril after a 1-1 regulation draw.

Estoril now advances to face Braga on Saturday, who knocked out Sporting in the other semi-final match, turning this weekend's final into an unexpected affair. Benfica missed a series of chances during the game that could have seen the club move into the final but were unable to capitalize and they will join the host of clubs set to watch the Final on their sofas.

Benfica look to recapture Taca da Liga glory

In a competition that Benfica used to have a strangle hold on from its inception, the Lisbon club has now gone almost eight years since capturing this trophy, making the finals only once during this time frame.

Benfica captured the Taca da Liga seven of the first nine years of the competition's existence before going on their current dry spell, they hope to change that this week as the club enters the Final Four stage and gets set to face Estoril on Wednesday while city rivals Sporting take on Braga in the other semi-final game.

The winners of the semi-final games will play one another on Saturday, January 27th, in Leiria. Benfica go into the competition on a thirteen game unbeaten run across all competitions.

Benfica announce arrival of winger Benjamin Rollheiser

Benfica announced earlier today the arrival of winger Benjamin Rollheiser from Argentinian club Estudiantes. Rollheiser arrives on loan with a mandatory option to make the deal permanent at the conclusion of the season for €9.5M, which will give Benfica 90% of the players pass, while Estudiantes will retain 10% to cash in on a future sale.

The 23 year old arrived at the Lisbon club earlier than expected, but with the departures of Goncalo Guedes to Villarreal and Chiquinho to Olympiacos, Benfica made the move to bring the player over now instead of waiting until the summer. Rollheiser is a versatile winger who can also play in an attacking midfield role and as a secondary striker.