Benfica started their entry into the Taca de Portugal's 3rd round of the competition with a convincing road win against Cova da Piedade 4-0 behind a pair of goals from Pizzi and Carlos Vinicius. Benfica avoided being the second club of the Big three to be sent home on consecutive days after Sporting suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of third division side Alverca the night before. Benfica attacked Piedade from the start and almost opened the scoring just five minutes in when a Raul de Tomas cross was nearly converted by Carlos Vinicius who sent a shot off the side of the netting. Pizzi would then break in all alone on Piedade keeper Tony Batista just eight minutes later but his attempt would be turned away by the shot stopper. Vinicius would then get another opportunity to open the scoring but his shot would be sent wide. Pizzi finally opened the scoring as the first half came to an end when his give and go with Vinicius left the midfielder alone with the Piedade keeper, Pizzi's shot was stopped by Batista but took a favourable bounce ending up in the back of the net just as the half was ending.
Pizzi then doubled Benfica's lead four minutes into the second half when a Raul de Tomas shot was stopped by Batista but the ensuing rebound landed at the feet of Pizzi who made no mistake putting the ball into the back of the net. Pizzi then almost had a hat trick from a Grimaldo cross but Batista once again came up big with a stop to keep the game within two. Raul de Tomas then tried his luck at the 58 minute mark from just inside the box but Batista was up to the task once again. Grimaldo followed that up with a long distance attempt just a couple of minutes later but Batista continued to turn away Benfica from adding to their lead. Benfica though would not be denied as Carlos Vinicius would make it 3-0 converting a scramble in front of the Piedade net at the 64 minute mark. Raul de Tomas was denied from adding to the lead at the 76 minute mark as his header from a Grimaldo free kick was directed right into the hands of Piedade's keeper. Benfica would make the score 4-0 in extra time when Gedson would find an open Carlos Vinicius who's left footed shot would find the lower right corner. This Taca game was exactly as it sounded and that was all Benfica all the time as the Lisbon side moves onto the 4th round of the Taca de Portugal against a yet to be determined opponent.
Benfica have released their squad for
their third round Taca de Portugal game against Cova da Piedade this upcoming Friday. Benfica play there first game of the Taca tomorrow at 8:30pm WEST on the road. They will select 18 players from the list below at the game to dress.
Keepers- Ivan Zlobin, Mile Svilar
Defenders- Ferro, Alex Grimaldo, Jardel, Tomas Tavares, Nuno Tavares
Midfielders- Pizzi, Caio Lucas, Franco Cervi, Fejsa, Gedson Fernandes, Gabriel, Florentino, Samaris, David Tavares
Forwards- Seferovic, Raul de Tomas, Jota, Carlos Vinicius
Benfica's former Seixal academy prodigy Joao Felix has been named as one of the twenty finalists for this years 2019 Golden Boy award. The Golden Boy is awarded to the best player that is under 21 in Europe's top tier leagues and was started by Italian publication Tuttosport in 2003. The 19 year old Joao Felix had a terrific campaign with Benfica last season, appearing in 43 games across all competitions, Felix scored 20 goals while setting up 11. Felix's 2018/19 exploits caught the attention of Europe's top clubs and earned the youngster a move to Atletico Madrid this summer for a club record €126M. Felix will be looking to be the second Benfica player to win the award after Renato Sanches took home the prize in 2016. Felix is considered one of the favourites to be crowned the winner this year along with Juventus' Matthijs de Ligt and Dortmund's Jadon Sancho. The Golden Boy award will be announced on December 16.
