Benfica land first reinforcement for next season

Benfica have made their first signing for next season and it did not cost them a cent in transfer fees, as according to reports out of Portugal, the club have put pen to paper with the acquisition of Mainz midfielder Leonardo Barreiro.

The midfielder went through medical examinations in Germany and it is being reported that the contract he and the club signed will be for five seasons. The 24 year old is a Luxembourg international and has been with Mainz since the summer of 2017.

Barreiro should fit nicely into Roger Schmidt's system, as he is considered a box to box midfielder with a strong tactical culture. Barreiro has appeared in 142 games for Mainz across all competitions, scoring nine goals while setting up eleven.

Benfica travel to Dragao to take on FC Porto in O Classico

The rivalry between Benfica and FC Porto is one of the most intense in Portuguese football, with matches between the two teams always highly anticipated. This weekend, Benfica will travel to the Estadio do Dragao on Sunday to face their arch-rivals in a crucial league game.

Known as O Classico, this match is not just about three points, but also about pride and bragging rights. Both teams have a long history of success and passionate fan bases, making every encounter between them a spectacle no matter where they are in the standings.

Benfica will be looking to secure a victory on Porto's home turf to remain atop the league. However, FC Porto will be determined to defend their fortress and close the gap on top spot, while maintaining their hold on third spot.

As the players take to the field, emotions will run high and every moment will be filled with tension and excitement. The outcome of this match could have far-reaching implications for both teams' seasons. It promises to be a thrilling clash that fans won't want to miss.

Benfica lose first leg of Taca to city rivals Sporting

Benfica took until the second half and the 65th minute of the game to actually wake up as Sporting controlled the game handily up, until that point. It took an Aursnes strike to cut the club's deficit in half to 2-1 before the club started to make the hosts sweat for the final 35 minutes of the game.

That would be the only marker that Benfica would get on this night, as they would go down to their cross town rivals in the first leg of their Taca de Portugal semi-final encounter, with the second leg set to take place at the Luz in early April.

The game did not end without its controversies as Benfica had an Angel di Maria equalizer waived off when the officials ruled that striker Tengstedt was in an offside position and hampered the keepers chance to stop Di Maria's shot even though he had no part in the build up to the play. 

Benfica manager Roger Schmidt decided to go with a false nine once again, but it would have the opposite effect he was hoping, instead nullifying Rafa Silva up front and the club looked much better with the entrance of striker Tengstedt in the 61st minute.

Benfica will not have much time to dwell on the contest as they get set to travel north to Dragao to take on FC Porto in the O Classico in league action on Sunday.