Friday, February 14, 2020

Benfica want to increase Vinicius buy out clause

Benfica Blog
Benfica are ready to reward striker Carlos Vinicius for his superb season with the club with a new contract, the new contract would increase Vinicius salary and more importantly increase his current buy out clause from €100M to €120M as they look to protect their investment from some of Europe's bigger clubs. Vinicius who joined the club in the summer from Napoli for €17M was an after though with the club, opening the season as the clubs third option in the striker position but poor form by last seasons leading scorer Haris Seferovic and highly regarded new acquisition and recently departed Raul de Tomas gave Vinicius the opportunity to more playing time and the striker did not disappoint. Vinicius has scored 19 goals in 30 games across all competitions while setting up another 12 goals in his debut season with Benfica.
Benfica Blog
Vincius is currently the leading scorer in the Portuguese League with 14 goals and Benfica know that some of Europe's bigger clubs have taken notice of the season that the 24 year old is having. One of the clubs that has been most linked with an acquisition of Vinicius in the summer is current defending Champions League winners Liverpool, the Reds are said to be looking at Vinicius as a potential replacement for current striker Roberto Firmino who could be on his way out after the season. Benfica are aware that it will be difficult to hang onto Vinicius if he continues his fine form but the club would be ready to cash in on another potential €100M+ sale for the second summer in a row.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Gabriel out of action for indefinite period of time

Benfica Blog
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.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Benfica to meet FC Porto in Taca de Portugal Final

Benfica Blog
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.