Benfica looking at increasing Estadio da Luz capacity

Benfica's home ground, the Estadio da Luz, is on the brink of a major transformation. President Rui Costa announced plans to boost the stadium's capacity to 70,000 seats yesterday. This bold move aims to welcome more fans and enhance the game day experience for supporters.

Currently, Estadio da Luz holds around 65,000 fans. However, many games see a full house, making it hard for die-hard supporters to get tickets. An expanded stadium would allow more fans to join in the excitement of match days while adding more funds into the club's coffers.

The club did not go into details of the financial side of this expansion, which will be crucial. Benfica would likely look at several channels to fund the project, through sponsorship deals, increased ticket sales and possible public and private partnerships.

Cost estimates for the expansion are not yet public, but it’s clear that sound financial planning will support this ambitious venture. Costa did state that the capacity increase would not change the club's current conditions of security, access, comfort and visibility. More to come on this amazing development.

Benfica opens residential academy in Tampa, Florida

Benfica is taking their world class academy set up abroad as the club gets set to open a residential academy in the Tampa, Florida area. The academy will be located at the state of the art campus of Saint Leo University and be a co-educational academy that will provide a balanced approach to athletic and academic excellence for grades 9 to 12.

Benfica's goal is to become a global leader in youth soccer development. The campus will have 6 soccer fields, a 59,000 square foot wellness center and span 297 acres. Benfica will provide ever academy player with a nutritional plan, an educational goal and provide a social focus on human values.

On the educational side, Benfica will team up with Bishop McLaughlin High School which is a private school for their academy players to attend. The school boost's both a 100% graduation rate and a 100% college acceptance rate.   

Benfica win over Monaco behind Di Maria magic

Benfica traveled to Monaco to take on the French League side as they looked to get their Champions League campaign back on track after posting back to back losses in the competition.

The game did not start the way Benfica had hoped as Monaco jumped out to an early lead behind a goal from Ben Seghir just thirteen minutes into the contest. Benfica were the stronger side of the first half but could not capitalize on some great scoring opportunities as the game went into the half with Monaco leading.

Benfica would equalize the game on a blunder by Caio Henrique just three minutes into the second half as Vangelis Pavlidis capitalized on the error. Monaco would score just two minutes later, but VAR called the goal back offside. Benfica then thought they had taken the lead at the fifty-four minute mark, but Alexander Bah's goal was disallowed on an offside during the buildup for the goal.

The game would change complexions as Monaco center back Singo would receive his second yellow of the game after a hard challenge on striker Pavlidis as both players challenged for a ball in the air, but it was Monaco who would score just nine minutes after going down a man with Magassa finding the back of the net.

Angel di Maria would then step up and work his magic to provide two spectacular crosses into the box that would find the heads of striker Arthur Cabral at the 84th minute and forward Zeki Amdouni at the 88th minute mark to give Benfica the advantage.

Amdouni could have had Benfica breathing easier in injury time, but his partial breakaway was bravely stopped by Monaco keeper Majecki. The final whistle would sound just a minute later and Benfica were back in the win column and currently sit in 14th place with three games left in the league phase, with Bologna up next at home on December 11.