Benfica midfielder Gabriel is closing in on returning to the squad after missing the last four weeks with a knee injury suffered in the Super Cup on August 4 against Sporting. Gabriel has began training with the club this week and could be an option for Bruno Lage in this weekends encounter against Gil Vicente. Lage may also chose to hold off in inserting the midfielder into the lineup as the club kicks off their Champions League campaign next week.
Benfica over the past couple of weeks have lost two offensive weapons that have been part of Bruno Lage's main squad on game days, Chiquinho and Carlos Vinicius are both currently on the clubs injured list with both players set to miss an extended period of time. Lage now looks set to turn to little used Serbian international Andrija Zivkovic to help fill some of the offensive void lost to injuries. Zivkovic who has not dressed for Benfica this season, was all but set to leave the club on loan as he looked for regular playing time elsewhere this summer but Lage was quick to put a halt to any move out by the Serb after Chiquinho suffered his injury.
Lage's attacking options were handed another blow last week when newly acquired striker Vinicius joined the clubs infirmary which also includes Gabriel and Gedson. The contexts in the world of soccer can change over night and a non used Zivkovic now looks set to be a utilized player going forward for Benfica when they release their game day squads as an option of attack. Benfica's schedule will include a flurry of games over the next little while with the Champions League ready to commence and Zivkovic will get his chance to show Benfica or any other clubs that may have their eye on the 23 year old that he has the skill and talent to play on a regularly basis, time will tell if he is up to the task at hand.
Benfica right back Andre Almeida was recently interviewed by Mega Hits radio and during the interview Almeida revealed that he has always dreamt of going to the Premier League one day. Almeida is a fan of English clubs Liverpool and Manchester United for their historic achievements and the stories behind both clubs. The 29 year old recently signed a two year extension with Benfica that contains a buy out clause of €30M. Almeida has been a member of Benfica since the summer of 2011, joining the club from Lisbon rival Belenenses and has appeared in 251 games across all competitions scoring 6 goals and assisting on 35. A converted midfielder, Almeida has been the starting right back at Benfica since the departure of Nelson Semedo in the summer of 2017.
