Benfica left twisted after Europa League final

Benfica got an unfavourable result with the final score of the Europa League final, as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen, leaving Benfica waiting in the wings to see if they will get direct entry into the Champions League group stage next season.

A Leverkusen win would have seen Benfica earn an automatic spot as opposed to their current 3rd qualifying round spot but all is not lost for the Lisbon club as a Top 4 finish by Atalanta in Serie A would also see the club earn the automatic spot.

Atalanta currently sits in fifth place in Italy, trailing both third and fourth place by two points with a game in hand, but with their Europa League win, they do not have anything to really play for in their final two games, which could prove costly for Benfica in regards to their direct entry hopes.

Roger Schmidt looks set to stay at Benfica

Roger Schmidt looks set to remain at Benfica next season, after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign. The German manager still has two years remaining on his contract with the club and it would be quite costly for Benfica to move on from the 57 year old and his staff. It looks like the decision has been made for Schmidt to stick around for at least another season.

Schmidt is said to have turned down another approach from Bayern Munich this past week as he is committed to remaining at Benfica and returning the club to glory next season. Schmidt has captured two trophies with Benfica, the Portuguese League title in 2022-23 and the Super Cup in the summer of 2023. The club and its fans hope Schmidt can find the magic that made the club so spectacular to watch in his first season.

Benfica ends disappointing season with a draw

Benfica's 2023-24 disappointing season is finally over and the off-season can begin tomorrow to improve this club for the upcoming season, which is set to commence in August. Benfica, in their final game of the season, gave up an injury time penalty that allowed Rio Ave to gain a 1-1 draw in a match that saw the club use a handful of second stringers in their final starting eleven.

Benfica does not go home empty handed during the campaign, having captured the Super Cup to kick off the Portuguese season, but that was all the way back in August and many fans, myself included, do not see that as anything but a minor consolation for what turned into a season of sour grapes.

Benfica have a lot of decisions to make over the next couple of months, with the biggest being whether manager Roger Schmidt will continue on the sidelines. The club will also need to find itself a striker and look at improving both wing back positions if they are to succeed going forward.

What is certain this off-season is that the club will see the departure of Rafa Silva, but Orkun Kokcu seems to be a viable replacement, as the Turkish attacking midfielder has looked much improved since being placed in his desired position the past couple of months. 

Let the rumour mill begin as the off season is officially on