Thursday, August 22, 2019

Nuno Tavares will retain spot for Classico

Nuno Tavares will retain his right back spot for this weekends upcoming "O Classico" against FC Porto. The 19 year old Tavares who has appeared in Benfica's first two league games and the season opening Super Cup in place of an injured Andre Almeida has not looked out of place even though he normally plays on the left side of the field. Tavares has contributed a goal and two assists in his first three appearances with the squad while adding an impressive player rating of 7.92 in the first two league games of the season according to whoscored.com. Almeida is set to return from a nagging shinbone injury but manager Bruno Lage has decided to go with an in form Tavares in such a crucial encounter against their main rivals for the league crown this season.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Benfica Player Profile: Manuel Bento


Manuel Bento (Keeper)
Years Active (1966-1992)
Benfica Career (1972-1992)
Born: 1948 Death: 2007

Manuel Bento
Manuel Bento started his playing career with Benfica in 1972 when he made the move over from Barreirense as the understudy for Jose Henrique and appeared in a total of 465 career games for Benfica across all competitions in his club career. Bento also appeared for the Portuguese national team on 63 occasions as a member of Benfica. Bento won 16 titles with the club, 9 Portuguese league titles, 5 Taca de Portugal and 2 Portuguese Super Cups. 

Bento suffered a horrific leg injury while on international duty and never fully recovered to the form that all were accustomed to. Bento was named the 1977 Portuguese player of the year and was working as a goaltending coach for Benfica at the time of his death in 2007 due to a heart attack. Bento is considered by many as the greatest goalkeeper in Benfica history and one of the best keepers to done the Quinas national team jersey.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Bernardo Silva expresses desire to play for Benfica

Manchester City and former Benfica academy player Bernardo Silva has expressed his desire to one day return to the club that still has his heart before he retires. Bernardo spent 12 years as a member of Benfica's youth system, first joining at the tender age of seven. Benfica moved Bernardo to Monaco in 2014 on loan with the attacking midfielder appearing in only three games for Benfica's main squad across all competitions before the loan. Monaco made the move permanent at the end of the 2014/15 season, with Benfica receiving €15.75M for the players rights. 


Bernardo went on to win the French Ligue 1 title with Monaco ending PSG's dominance of the Ligue 1 crown and his performances earned him a move to Manchester City during the summer of 2017 for €50M were he has become an important member of Pep Guardiola's squad. Bernardo though still wants to fulfill a child home dream to play a season for Benfica before his career ends and on his own terms, which he is sure to accomplish without worrying about the club's manager trying to convert him to a left back. I am sure a move back to Benfica would not only please Bernardo but the Benfica supporters as well.