Benfica take the first leg in France over Nice

Benfica delivered a masterclass performance, securing a 2-0 win against  Nice in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round at Allianz Riviera. The Portuguese giants showcased their European pedigree, taking a significant step toward the group stage with a disciplined and clinical display.

The match was a tale of two halves. The first half saw both teams probing cautiously, with Benfica holding slightly more possession (52.6%) but struggling to break through Nice’s organized defense. Nice, despite their home advantage and a strong Ligue 1 campaign last season, managed only two shots on goal. 

The tide turned in the second half when Franjo Ivanovic opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, capitalizing on a precise cross from Aursnes to slot the ball past Nice’s goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf. Florentino Luis sealed the victory in the 88th minute with a stunning long-range strike, leaving Diouf helpless.
 

Benfica’s tactical discipline under Bruno Lage was evident, with their 4-2-3-1 formation stifling Nice’s transitions. Despite missing key players like Tomas Araujo. Kerem Akturkoglu and Bruma, Benfica’s depth shone through, with Vangelis Pavlidis and Aursnes dictating play. Nice, hampered by injuries to Mohamed Abdelmonem and others, struggled to create clear chances.

The result gives Benfica a strong advantage heading into the second leg at home in Lisbon, to move into the playoff stage where either Feyenoord or Fenerbahce will await for a place into this season's Champions League, league phase.

Benfica continues pursuit of winger during summer window

Benfica is actively seeking to bolster their attacking options, with wingers Anis Hadj Moussa, Roger Fernandes, and Dario Osorio emerging as key targets in the transfer market. Following the departure of Angel Di Maria and a season-ending injury to Bruma, the Eagles are prioritizing a dynamic right winger to strengthen their squad for the 2025/26 season.

Anis Hadj Moussa, the 23-year-old Algerian star from Feyenoord, is Benfica’s top choice. Despite rejected offers of €15M plus bonuses, negotiations continue, with Moussa reportedly eager to join. His 11 goals and 3 assists in 43 games last season highlight his potential.

Roger Fernandes, a 19-year-old Portuguese talent from Braga, is a compelling alternative. His five goals and four assists in 48 appearances across all competitions, showcase his promise, but Braga’s €40M asking price poses a significant hurdle. 

Dario Osorio, the 21-year-old Chilean at Midtjylland, was considered but has been deemed too expensive, with negotiations stalled due to high financial demands from the Norwegian club. Benfica’s pursuit reflects their ambition to maintain dominance in the Portuguese League, while balancing youth and experience in their attack. Fans await Rui Costa’s next move.

Benfica soar to Super Cup glory, set sights on Nice

In a thrilling kickoff to the 2025-26 Portuguese season, Benfica clinched the Candido de Oliveira Super Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Sporting at Estádio Algarve yesterday.

The Lisbon giants showcased their resilience, with Vangelis Pavlidis emerging as the hero. His opportunistic 50th-minute strike, deflected off Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand and past Rui Silva, sealing Benfica’s 11th Super Cup triumph.

Despite a tense finish and Sporting’s late pushes, including a squandered chance by Pedro Gonçalves, Benfica’s defense, led by Antonio Silva, held firm. New signings like Richard Rios, who played the full 90 minutes, signaled a promising season under Bruno Lage.

The victory, celebrated by fervent Benfiquistas chanting “I love Benfica!” in the stands, was a morale booster after Benfica’s Club World Cup exit to Chelsea. It also marked sweet redemption following last season’s Taça de Portugal final loss to Sporting. Lage praised his squad’s cohesion after just 15 days of preparation, setting an optimistic tone for the challenges ahead.

Now, Benfica shifts focus to a crucial two-leg UEFA Champions League third-round qualifier against Nice, starting next week. The Eagles face a stern test against the French side, with a playoff berth at stake for the Champions League league phase. 

Despite a modest pre-season, Benfica’s Super Cup performance showed tactical discipline and attacking intent, though Lage will demand sharper finishing to overcome Nice. With new additions like Amar Dedic and Samuel Dahl bolstering the squad, Benfica is poised to soar in Europe. The red-and-white faithful are ready for the pilgrimage south, dreaming of more silverware.