Benfica are set for their biggest game of the season as they get set to face FC Porto in "O Classico" at Porto's Estadio do Dragao. Benfica will look to open up a ten point lead over the second place northern club as the to combatants lock horns. Benfica will play FC Porto today at 8:30pm WEST and
they will dress 18 players from the list below.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin
Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Andre Almeida,
Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Julian Weigl, Florentino, Samaris
Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Seferovic, Jota, Dyego Sousa
Benfica scouts were in Algarve recently watching a friendly between Swedish club Norrkoping and Danish side Brondby on January 31 with their eyes set on Montenegro International Sead Haksabanovic. The 20 year old midfielder who is on loan from West Ham with the Swedish side until the summer joined the Hammers from Halmstad in 2017. Haksabanovic who regularly plays the left midfield spot that is currently occupied by Rafa Silva and Franco Cervi appeared in 34 games across all competitions for Norrkoping scoring eight goals and setting up another eight. The acquisition of Haksabanovic could mean Franco Cervi's time with the club is over as he has been linked with a return back to his native Argentina to join Boca Juniors. Mexican side Tigres has also revealed that they will be in the race to land Cervi once the transfer window re-opens in the summer and Benfica's interest in Haksabanovic makes sense with the potential departure of the hard working Cervi.
Benfica have released information on the extent of the injury suffered to captain and central defender Jardel during the clubs Taca de Portugal semi-final game against Famalicao. Jardel suffered an injury in the first half of the game to his internal lateral ligament of his right knee and the injury will see him unavailable to the club for the next two months. Jardel has only appeared in 10 games across all competitions this season as the veteran defender has taken a back seat to current starters Ruben Dias and Ferro. Jardel has been a member of Benfica since the winter of 2011 and has appeared in 258 total games for the club, the 33 year old Brazilians career is winding down but the veteran is still counted on by the club to provide the leadership in the locker room to many of the teams young stars and will be missed.
