Benfica will go into 2020 on top of the Portuguese League after their convincing 4-0 victory over feel good story Famalicao at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica cruised to victory and were led once again by Pizzi and Carlos Vinicius, the leagues co-top scorers.
Vinicius would open the scoring late in the first half when he would tip in a Chiquinho pass, this would vault the striker into sole possession of the golden boot, moving one goal in front of Pizzi. This would only last until the second half when Pizzi would score a brace to push Benfica's lead to three goals with Chiquinho getting a helper on one of Pizzi's goals for his second assist of the evening. Pizzi would then become play maker on Benfica's final goal of the game setting up Caio Lucas for his first league goal of the season and only goal that he has scored wearing Benfica colours.
Benfica's next league game will not be until January 4 as they travel to Guimaraes but Benfica will be in action twice before the new year with an upcoming Wednesday in Taca de Portugal against Braga before traveling to Setubal to play their final group game in the Taca da Liga on the 21st.
Benfica go into their last league game before the new year up against this seasons surprise squad Famalicao looking to maintain their current lead in Portugal. Benfica will play Famalicao at home at 6:00pm WEST.
They will dress 18 players from the list below.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin
Defenders- Ferro, Alex Grimaldo, Tomas Tavares, Jardel, Nuno Tavares, Ruben Dias
Midfielders- Pizzi, Franco Cervi, Gabriel, Taarabt, Chiquinho, Samaris, Caio Lucas
Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Seferovic, Jota
Benfica and manager Bruno Lage have officially announced what has been rumoured to have been done for weeks now, they club and manager have agreed on a new contract that will run until the end of the 2023/24 season. Bruno Lage who was a former assistant manager of current Rio Ave manager Carlos Carvalhal at Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City, he joined Benfica last season to manage the clubs B squad until the dismissal of Rui Vitoria in January were he was moved into the intern role with the main squad. Lage's early performances with the club earned had the intern tag removed and he went on to turn the club around and win the Portuguese League. Bruno Lage's record with Benfica across all competitions is 40 wins, five draw and eight losses. Bruno Lage will now earn €2M per season to manage Benfica and his buy out clause remains at €20M. Lage currently has Benfica in top spot in the Portuguese League after 13 weeks of the season and will manage Benfica through another Europa League campaign in February.
