Benfica players who will be part of National sides

The worlds national team squads are once again in action this week and that means that many clubs are practicing without their full squads as players get called up to their national sides, the Under 20 sides and more. These are the current Benfica players away with their national sides.

National Teams
   
Portugal - Pizzi, Ruben Dias
   
Switzerland - Seferovic
   
Greece - Vlachodimos
   
Morocco - Taarabt

Under 21 Teams

Portugal- Jota, Nuno Tavares, Tomas Tavares , Gedson Fernandes, Florentino

Belgium- Mile Svilar

Brazil- Morato

Benfica win to stay a top Portugal heading to break

Benfica traveled to the Azores for their Week 11 encounter against Santa Clara as they looked to maintain their top spot in the league going into the International break. Benfica and their rock star arrival in Sao Miguel started off on the wrong foot when Santa Clara opened the scoring 18 minutes into the game as Carlos beat out Andre Almeida to a mid cross by Rafael Ramos to head Santa Clara into the lead. Benfica's first half was one of their poorer performances of the season as they struggled to complete passes and ended the half trailing by one with their only clear scoring chance being a Ruben Dias header in additional time at the keeper.
The second half started with striker Carlos Vinicius entering the game in place of Florentino as Benfica looked to add to their attack but it was Santa Clara who would get the first scoring chance of the half at the 50th minute when Rashid's outside shot was stopped by keeper Vladchodimos. 

Benfica would then equalize just four minutes later as Pizzi's low cross went by a crowd of players ending up on the feet of substitute Vinicius who directed it into an empty net and the game was level. The next twenty minutes of the half was a back and forth affair with no real scoring threats, that was until the 78th minute when a poor clear by Santa Clara defender Cesar hit Andre Almeida and deflected to the feet of Seferovic who broke down the middle finding Pizzi to the left and the league's top scorer would make no mistake sending a low shot past keeper Marco to give Benfica the lead. The goal would energize Benfica and they looked to add to it just a minute later when Seferovic would take a hard shot just inside the box that was handled by Marco. Santa Clara though sent a chill through the Benfica faithful when Ukra's low shot from a long Rashid cross would go just inches from the far left post in additional time but that was as close as it would get as Benfica would come from behind to defeat Santa Clara 2-1. Benfica will now return to league action on November 30 after when they host Madeira club Maritimo.

The arrival of Morato makes Conti departure likely

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.