Barcelona end Benfica's Champions League run

Benfica's Champions League run is over after sustaining a 3-1 loss in their second leg against Barcelona as the Lisbon side was totally out classed by the hosts and exit the competition in the round of 16.

It was a strange starting XI for Benfica who once again decided to go conservative on the attack from the wing back position, starting Tomas Araujo at right back and Samuel Dahl in for suspended Alvaro in his first start at left back in months.

Barcelona where relentless in their attack especially in the first half and Bruno Lage showed that he clearly could still not find the proper recipe against Barca in their third encounter of the competition this season.

Benfica killer Raphinha opened the scoring just eleven minutes into the contest before Benfica got an equalizer from Otamendi just two minutes later. 17 year old wonderkid Yamal would give Barca the lead once again just fourteen minutes later and Raphinha would get his second of the contest and fifth of the competition against Benfica just before the half.

The second half saw no changes from Lage to start the half, which left many scratching their heads and made you think if Lage actually knew the club needed to score three goals, just get into additional time.

Benfica had an Aursnes goal called back for an offside in the build up to the play, one of nine offsides the club would see called against them on this night.

Benfica in the end lived to regret not pulling off a victory over ten man Barcelona in the first leg, where they could just not get the ball past Barcelona keeper Szczesny. Benfica should receive in the vicinity of €65M total for making it to this stage of the competition.

The club will not turn their attention to capturing the Portuguese League title and are still in the Taca de Portugal competition.

 

 

Former Benfica great Luisao talks about depression battle

Former Benfica captain and technical director Luisao recently appeared on CNN Portugal discussing his battle with depression and his departing from the club, Portugal and his return to living in Brazil after 21 years in Portugal. 

Luisao stated that once he asked for help for the depression, things started to turn around for him, from someone that was becoming isolated and felt helpless to someone that is now looking to help others that are battling their own mental health issues.

Luisao says the move back to Sao Paulo had it's adjustment period with the city's population bigger then all of Portugal but feels that the move was well thought out and has helped with his recovery. Luisao is still signed with Benfica until the end of the year but remains on a leave of absence.

Luisao joined Benfica in the summer of 2003, playing in 15 seasons with the club before taking on a director role the past six. Luisao captured 20 titles and cups with Benfica during his playing days at the club with six of those being Portuguese League titles. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, remember that help is available. Please reach out to a medical professional in your area for help or contact the local crisis line, you are not alone although it may feel that way. 

 

Benfica could see return of Lindelof in summer

Man United center back Victor Lindelof is being targeted for a return to Benfica this summer as the Lisbon club looks to sign the upcoming free agent in what would be a likely move to replace captain Nico Otamendi who's contract will also be up this summer.

The 30 year old Lindelof last played for Benfica during the 2016-17 season before departing the club to join United in the summer of 2017 for €35M. He has appeared in 270 games across all competitions for United but it is not expected that the Premier League club will offer him a contract extension.

With Otamendi now pushing the age of 37 the club seems set to move on from the Argentinian international but will be looking for a veteran presence on the defensive side of the ball and someone to team up with one of their younger stars in the back end. 

Lindelof played in 169 games across all competitions between Benfica and Benfica B during his time at the club. The Swedish skipper arrived in the summer of 2012 and became a regular member of the main squad during the 2015-16 season.