Benfica look set to move center back German Conti when the January transfer window opens, the 25 year old center back has yet to appear in any game this season and has only appeared in ten games for Benfica across all competitions with one goal since joining the club in the summer of 2018 from Colon for €3.5M. The acquisition this summer of 18 year old Brazilian center back Morato looks to have all but ended Conti's Benfica time. Morato has had strong performances in his appearances for Benfica in the UEFA Youth League, playing in all four games and has also appeared in three games with Benfica's B squad. Morato looks to be the heir apparent to join the main club when the departure of Ruben Dias or Ferro arrives in the future. Benfica acquired Morato from Brazilian side Sao Paulo for €6M.
Benfica return to league play with an upcoming tilt on the road against Azorian club Santa Clara as they look to get back to their winning ways and maintain their league lead before the International break kicks in. The
game
will take place today at 6pm WEST and 18 players from the list below
will
dress for the game.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin, Mile Svilar
Defenders- Ferro, Alex Grimaldo, Jardel, Tomas Tavares, Andre Almeida, Ruben Dias
Midfielders- Pizzi, Franco Cervi, Gedson Fernandes, Gabriel, Florentino, Taarabt, Chiquinho, Caio Lucas
Forwards- Seferovic, Jota, Carlos Vinicius, Raul de Tomas
Benfica are currently replacing the field at Estadio da Luz for the third time since June as they club looks for a field that will assist the club playing their brand of football more smoothly. Benfica has received complaints from the squads players and visiting clubs about the pitches poor condition this season. Manager Bruno Lage has also gone as far as saying that the poor pitch may have been a contributing factor to the clubs recent rash of injuries this season. Benfica will not play a home game at the Estadio da Luz again until November 30 so the club made the decision to have the current pitch ripped out and replaced.
Benfica manager Bruno Lage is glad to be seeing the old pitch gone and hopes the replacement works for the clubs style but more importantly Lage admits that the health of his players and of visiting players has always been his main concern.
