Benfica announced yesterday that midfielder Gabriel will miss an indefinite amount of time and possibly the rest of the season due to a vision related issue as Gabriel has been diagnosed with sixth nerve palsy which
is a disorder associated with the dysfunction of the cranial nerve which
is responsible for causing contraction of the lateral rectus muscle to
abduct (movement of the eye causing double vision). Gabriel informed the club the day after the Famalicao first leg Taca de Portugal encounter that he was having problems with the vision of his left eye. The club immediately began to run tests which are now complete and have ruled out more serious concerns but the players timeline to return to action is unknown as the club looks to avoid any additional risks by rushing Gabriel back into regular game action. Gabriel continues to attend club practices and do the physical work that he deems appropriate. This is the third time that the midfielder has been on the injured list since joining the club last summer having already suffered a knee injury last season and a ligament rupture earlier this season. Benfica will lean to Julian Weigl, Florentino, Samaris and Taarabt in the middle of the field with Gabriel's absence.
Benfica and FC Porto will meet in this seasons Taca de Portugal Final on May 24, 2020 at the Jamor after both clubs got past their semi-final opponents this week to set up one more Classico this season and their first meeting in the Taca de Portugal Final since 2003-04 in which Benfica defeated FC Porto 2-1 in additional extra time. Benfica moved into the finals for the first time since 2017 with a 3-2 win and 1-1 draw versus Famalicao over two legs, while FC Porto won 3-0 and drew 1-1 against second division club Academico Viseu. FC Porto will be returning to Taca de Portugal Final hoping to make amends for last seasons penalty shootout loss to Sporting. Benfica and FC Porto will be facing off in the Taca de Portugal Final for the eleventh time in the clubs histories with Benfica holding the edge over Porto by winning nine of the ten previous encounters. Benfica will be looking to make amends for the two regular season losses they have suffered to FC Porto as both clubs battle for the Portuguese League crown once again this year.
Benfica are set for their second leg Taca de Portugal encounter against Famalicao after scratching out a victory in additional time 3-2 in
the first leg. Benfica are coming off their first loss to a Portuguese club since August of 2019 after losing in the Classico to rivals FC Porto over the weekend and Benfica will need to have better form if they are to advance to the Taca de Portugal Finals. Benfica play Famalicao today at 8:45pm WEST and
they will dress 18 players from the list below.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin
Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares
Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl
Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Seferovic, Jota, Dyego Sousa
