Benfica suffer London letdown and look to bounce back against FC Porto

Benfica fans are still reeling from a gut-wrenching 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge yesterday. What should have been a triumphant return for manager Jose Mourinho to his old stomping grounds turned into a disappointment, courtesy of an unfortunate own goal by Richard Rios in the first half.

Despite maintaining strong possession numbers and creating several chances, the Eagles couldn't find the net, leaving them with zero points from their first two group stage matches of the competition. The performance was scrappy at best as Chelsea barely threatened, yet Benfica's finishing woes and defensive lapse proved costly on the night.

Mourinho, ever the tactician, will be frustrated; his side looked organized but lacked the killer instinct. This loss piles pressure on their European campaign, especially with tougher fixtures on the horizon. 

Questions are swirling about the squad's depth and whether summer signings have gelled enough to compete at this level. But there will be no time to dwell as Benfica turns their focus to domestic matters with a blockbuster Portuguese League clash against arch-rivals FC Porto on Sunday at Estadio do Dragao.

A win here could reignite Benfica's title charge and boost morale after the Chelsea setback. Expect a high intensity game with Porto's attacking flair versus Benfica's resilient defense. If Benfica channels their frustration into focus, they could snatch some vital points away from the league leaders, so fans should buckle up as this weekend's derby might just define their season.

Who is new Benfica striker Franjo Ivanovic

In the high-stakes world of Portuguese football, Benfica has pulled off a masterstroke this summer by signing 21-year-old Croatian striker Franjo Ivanovic from Union Saint-Gilloise for a club-record €22.8 million (plus €5 million in add-ons). The deal, finalized on July 31, 2025, came with a five-year contract until 2030 and a staggering €100 million release clause.

Ivanovic embodies the raw talent that's propelling him into Europe's elite spotlight. Ivanovic's journey began humbly at age five with SVG Mayrhofen in Austria (2008-2015), followed by a brief stint at JFG Lohwald. His breakthrough came at Augsburg's youth academy from 2016 to 2021, where he honed his skills in Germany's competitive setup. Loan spells at NK Lokomotiva Zagreb sharpened his edge before a permanent move to HNK Rijeka in 2023, where he netted 12 goals in 28 league games.

His meteoric rise peaked last season at Union SG, scoring 20 goals and adding five assists to clinch the Belgian title and drawing bids from Wolves, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Como, but Ivanovic chose Benfica. Standing at 6 foot 1, with a powerful right foot, Ivanovic is a classic target man who is aerially dominant, relentless in pressing and lethal in the box with clinical finishing. 

His blend of physicality, pace, and intelligent movement echoes a young Edin Dzeko, but with a modern work rate that fits Benfica's high-pressing system. Benfica fans can expect fireworks when he and current club striker Vangelis Pavlidis gel. Ivanonic has already chipped in three goals for the club in twelve appearances playing mostly out of position.

The Eagles might have found themselves a gem... Welcome, Franjo to Lisbon and Benfica.

Richard Rios has been a bust for Benfica, now what?

When Benfica splashed a club record €27 million for Richard Rios this summer, expectations soared. The 25-year-old Colombian midfielder, fresh from impressive Copa America displays, was hailed as a dynamic addition to bolster the Eagles' midfield. His debut in the Super Cup, where Benfica clinched a trophy, hinted at his potential with a solid 84% pass accuracy and strong duels won.

Yet, after 12 games of action for the club across all competitions, Rios's tenure has been a resounding bust, failing to live up to the hype of his arrival from Palmeiras. Rios has logged over 1,000 minutes but has yet to contribute a goal or an assist and has left heads scratching with his poor spot kicks.

Fans have voiced frustration, labeling him "overrated" and questioning the investment, especially after moving fan favourite Florentino to Burnley before the window closed.

Adaptation from Brazilian to Portuguese football, coupled with high pressure, has evidently stifled his flair. Benfica must prioritize patience and strategy. Grant him consistent starts in a central midfield role where he thrived at Palmeiras and allow more attacking freedom rather than focusing on defensive duties. 

Newly hired coach Jose Mourinho may need to look at removing Rios from the starting XI and bringing him on as a substitute until he feels that Rios deserves to return to the XI. While off the field, cultural integration programs and confidence boosting sessions could help with strengthening his mental state.

Benfica's investment at this time looks like a bust, but it is only September. We are hoping that Rios shows what made the club decide to spend the record haul on him, let's hope we are not beating the same drum come March