Benfica have dropped points in league action once again this time against Moreirense and have finally cost themselves top spot in the Portuguese League. Benfica who only a month ago had a seven point lead atop the Portuguese League have only won one league game in their last four, acquiring four total points in that span on their way to falling out of first place to their only rivals for the title FC Porto by one point. Benfica have struggled to finish of late and this game was no different with the club missing a host of chances to take the lead, the club had Pizzi miss two opportunities from the penalty spot and had a Rafa Silva goal called back after a VAR review that spotted a Pizzi handball before the ball landed at Rafa's feet.
Benfica ended up lucky to even earn a draw in the encounter with the goal to equalize coming in additional time. Benfica's winter transfer window continues to baffle fans more and more as this poor run continues, the lack of picking up an experienced central defender has caused the club to use a less then 100% Ferro regularly in the center of the defense while youngster Tomas Tavares continues to show that he is not ready for a regular role in place of injured Andre Almeida as he continues to be caught out of position, while adding little to the attack in the right back position.
Benfica continue their fight for the league title with a home game in Week 23 against Moreirense. After a disappointing exit during the week to Shakhtar in the Europa League round of 32. Benfica look to get back on track with a victory at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica will play Moreirense today
at 8:45pm WEST
and
they will dress 18 players from the list below.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar
Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares
Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl, David Tavares
Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa
Benfica manager Bruno Lage has stated that last seasons leading scorer Haris Seferovic will not be an option when Benfica takes on Moreirense tomorrow in league action. Lage did not divulge if Seferovic had picked up an injury in the clubs recent Europa League loss to Shakhtar or through training when he made the announcement. Seferovic has struggled this season in the absence of Joao Felix who was sold during the summer for a record transfer to Spanish club Atletico Madrid. The emergence of striker Carlos Vinicius has cut into Seferovic's playing time and the Swiss striker has scored only six goals all season across all competitions a far cry from last seasons ending 27. The recent acquisition of striker Dyego Sousa on loan during the winter transfer window looks to have knocked Seferovic down another peg on the striker list if the absence is not do to any type of injury. Lage was vague when questioned about the absence of Seferovic from the squads selection. The omission comes as a blow to the current striking option of the Swiss national side as Benfica are set to take on Moreirense tomorrow at the Luz as their quest for the Portuguese League title continues.
