Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Benfica set for retesting after positive COVID-19 player

Benfica Blog
Benfica are set to complete retesting for COVID-19 after the positive test to youngster David Tavares was detected in the original tests completed last Friday. The entire football department of Benfica which include the players, coaches, support staff and more will be retested tomorrow in accordance with the rules imposed by the General Directorate of Health. Benfica will have swab samples taken from the respiratory zones and blood samples to view if any immunity has been acquired by the individual taken at the same time as the club prepares for the season restart which was announced today by the league to be June 4th.

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Benfica youngster Tavares tests positive for COVID-19

Benfica Blog
Benfica have announced their first positive result of COVID-19 as youngster David Tavares' test samples have returned positive, the midfielder is asymptomatic and currently in isolation away from the club. The 21 year old has already been subjected to a counter analysis which confirmed the initial result. The initial positive test result was conducted on May 8 when the club went through full testing of the squad, technical team and football staff as well as service providers who have direct contact with the club. Benfica also announced that the club will continue to train in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Directorate-General of Health and will have all players, technical team members, staff and service providers that had direct contact with Tavares will have new tests completed in the coming days. Tavares has appeared in two games with the main club this season across all competitions, coming on both times as a substitute.

Benfica turn to Flamengo left back as Grimaldo replacement

Benfica continue to search for a potential future replacement for current left back starter Alex Grimaldo and have turned their attention to 19 year old Flamengo left back Ramon Lima. Lima has grown through the Flamengo youth system and has made four appearances for Jorge Jesus' main squad in his time with the Brazilian side. Benfica are closing in on the potential sale of their current starting left back amid the financial uncertainty caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic and are hoping to have alternatives in place when the move is completed and feel that Lima's skills would excel in the clubs current system. No financial numbers are being reported at this time for the acquisition of Lima.