With the recent adductor injury suffered by winger Rafa Silva, Benfica are looking at tinkering in the upcoming Taca de Portugal by moving left back Alex Grimaldo forward into Rafa's position in the starting eleven. The club have already experimented with Grimaldo up front in their recent training session against Alverca earlier this week but with Rafa expected to miss the teams next couple of competitive matches, the club is looking for the Spaniard to provide them with attack from the left side of the pitch in Rafa's absence. Grimaldo's move up front would open the door for youngster Nuno Tavares to get back into the lineup in the left back position.
Benfica's Taca de Portugal third round encounter against Cova da Piedade will go ahead at Piedade's home stadium of Jose Martins Vieira Municipal Stadium on October 18 at 8:30pm WEST.
Cova da Piedade needed to meet conditions to host the game at their stadium in regards to the lighting for an evening broadcast. They were given the green light on Thursday that the condition has been met and they can proceed to sell tickets to host last seasons Portuguese League Champions. Piedade's home stadium has a seating capacity of 3,500 and the club expects the game to be sold out for this encounter.
Benfica SAD has informed manager Bruno Lage that the club has money for reinforcements when the January transfer window opens. Lage is looking to add an experienced keeper with youngsters Ivan Zlobin and Mile Svilar the current club options if starter Vlachodimos were to go down with injury. Lage is also looking for a more versatile striker, ala Joao Felix as his preferred playing system requires this type of player. Benfica's current two striker experiment of Seferovic and Raul de Tomas has been a disappointment to date as both players are desinged from the same mold. Benfica also may look to add a central midfielder who's specialty is getting the ball from the midfield to the strikers while playing between the lines but with Chiquinho getting closer to returning to the club from injury, this requirement is lower on Lage's to do list. Benfica did discuss Juventus keeper Mattia Perin and Freiburg forward Luca Waldschmidt during the summer and may return to negotiate moves for the players with their respective clubs once the transfer window re-opens.
