Benfica manager Bruno Lage says that his main concern during the International breaks is keeping the players that have not been called up to their national sides sharp as the club could be out of action for 10 to 14 days. Lage has experienced International breaks as an assistant manager but admits that managing Benfica sees many of the clubs main players away and in this time he focuses on the players at hand, Benfica played Estoril in a friendly during the recent International break.
Benfica continued their chase for top spot from surprise league leaders Famalicao as they took on Gil Vicente who opened the season with a victory over one of the big three, a 2-1 win over FC Porto. Benfica started the game pressing Gil Vicente and were awarded a penalty at the ten minute mark when Pizzi was taken down inside the box. The penalty also taken by Pizzi was stopped by Gil Vicente keeper Denis but Benfica's constant attack would finally cash in when a cross into the box by Andre Almeida ended up deflecting in off center back Nogueira to give the Eagles the lead just before the half. Pizzi doubled Benfica's lead early in the second half off of a corner kick from Alex Grimaldo, adding to his league leading six goals and making amends for the missed penalty earlier. That would be all that Benfica would need resulting in a 2-0 win over Gil Vicente, Benfica will be on the road next week as they get set to face Moreirense and currently sit one point behind top spot in Portugal
Benfica defensive midfielder Florentino Luis has sustained a right knee injury missing the clubs Week 5 game this weekend and could miss potentially more. Florentino looks to have suffered a slight tear to his meniscus according to reports coming out of Portugal, an injury that he picked up in his last appearance at Braga. The club announced that the 20 year old will not have a minor surgical procedure done to clean his right knee and could be out for more then a month. Florentino has appeared in every game this season for Benfica and the injury is a major blow to a club set to open their Champions League campaign. Florentino joins a growing list of Benfica casualties with Chiquinho, Carlos Vinicius, Gabriel and Gedson already in the infirmary.
