Benfica have submitted their player list to UEFA for the upcoming Champions League tournament. Benfica submitted their main A list squad and a secondary B List squad in which players can replace players that are removed from the A list squad. Benfica will start their Champions League campaign after the International break against RB Leipzig at home on September 17, 2019.
Benfica A List Squad
Keepers: Vlachodimos, Zlobin
Defenders: Ruben Dias, Andre Almeida, Ferro, Alex Grimaldo, Conti, Tyronne Ebuehi, Jardel
Midfielders: Pizzi, Florentino, Gabriel, Rafa Silva, Gedson, Fejsa, Samaris, Chiquinho, Taarabt, Franco Cervi
Forwards: Raul de Tomas, Seferovic, Carlos Vinicius, Caio Lucas, Zivkovic
Benfica B List Squad
Keepers: Svilar, Celton Biai, Fabio Duarte
Defenders: Nuno Tavares, Joao Ferreira, Kalaica, Tomas Tavares, Pedro Alvaro
Midfielders: Tiago Dantas, David Tavares, Goncalo Ramos, Rafael Brito
Forwards: Jota, Nuno Santos
Benfica midfielder Franco Cervi remains with the Lisbon club after most of the major transfer windows closed Monday and reports coming out of Portugal and Argentina indicate that the 25 year old declined a move to his homeland and the chance to play for Boca Juniors. The reports also state that Cervi is close to moving to Mexico and joining an unnamed club. The Mexican league's transfer window remains open and with Cervi out of manager Bruno Lage's main roster it is a move the midfielder is open to accept. Cervi joined Benfica in the summer of 2016 from Rosario and has yet to appear for the club this season.
Benfica bounced back after their Classico loss to Porto and defeat Braga 4-0 on the road at Estadio Municipal. Benfica was awarded a penalty to open the scoring in the first half and Pizzi stepped up and converted to put the Eagles ahead at the 25 minute mark and that score remained until the half ended. Pizzi then scored his second of the game a couple of minutes into the second half to double the Benfica lead. Braga then extended Benfica's lead to three as Bruno Viana deflected a Seferovic cross into the box and into his own goal. Ricardo Esgaio followed Viana's lead deflecting a Jota pass into his goal also to increase the score to 4-0. Benfica would cruise the rest of the way on their way to victory. Pizzi's brace now has the midfielder at 5 league goals in his first four games, while Benfica's striker duo continue to struggle to get on the scoresheet. Benfica will next face Gil Vicente after the International break in two weeks time.
