Benfica return to action tomorrow in the Champions League when they host French club Lyon at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica are still looking for their first victory of the competition as they get set to play a crucial third game of the group stage. The game will take place at 8pm WEST and the 18 players from the list below will dress for the game.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin
Defenders- Ferro, Alex Grimaldo, Jardel, Tomas Tavares, Andre Almeida, Ruben Dias
Midfielders- Pizzi, Franco Cervi, Gedson Fernandes, Gabriel, Florentino, Rafa Silva, Taarabt
Forwards- Seferovic, Raul de Tomas, Carlos Vinicius
Former Benfica striker Nuno Gomes in an interview with Benfica TV stated the obvious when he said that Benfica's upcoming Champions League game against Lyon is vital in the clubs aspirations for Europe. Benfica are set to take on Lyon at the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday, were the Lisbon club hopes to earn its first points of the Champions League group stage. Gomes also commented on Lyon's new boss Rudi Garcia who was hired October 14 due to Lyon's struggles in the French league and stated that he is a big fan of the French manager.
Benfica are being linked to Olympiacos' Portuguese central defender Ruben Semedo, who has gotten his game and his life back in order after spending 141 days in custody in 2018. Semedo who is currently awaiting trial in Spain on attempted murder, kidnapping and robbery charges while he was a member of Villarreal was sold this summer by the Spanish side to the Greek club for €4.5M.
The 25 year old was recently rewarded for his stellar form to start the season by earning his first call up to the Portugal national side only a few weeks ago by Fernando Santos who told media that everyone deserves a second chance in life. According to reports coming out of Portugal, Semedo is on Benfica's radar for next season with Jardel currently 33 years old and the potential moves of Ruben Dias or Ferro to come, Benfica consider Semedo as an adequate replacement at the central defender position. Semedo would be making a return to Benfica where he spent a few years in his youth days before joining cross town rivals Sporting in 2010.
