Benfica have let it be known through their social media channels that they will place a club scarf on all the stadium seats during their final five league home games. The initiative by the club wants the scarves to be sent in by the clubs members who can mail in their club scarves, drop them off at the clubs official stores or through Casas do Benfica. Benfica has labelled the campaign "We don't lower our arms" and look to replicate the chilling moment when the clubs hymn is sung by the fans by having a piece of every club member represented at the games.
With Benfica set to return to action on June 4 at home against Tondela, Bruno Lage has a decision to make when it comes to the starting right back position. Andre Almeida the normal starting right back is recovery from an extended lay off due to an ankle injury and has not appeared in a game since the beginning of February. Almeida is currently a step behind his teammates in pace during training sessions and Lage looks ready to name youngster Tomas Tavares as he clubs right back for next weeks restart game. Almeida has battled injuries all season having appeared in only 17 of the clubs games across all competitions this season while Tavares has appeared in 25. Lage hopes that Almeida will be up to speed as the training sessions continue and hope to have the vice-captain back in his regular spot after a couple of game into the restart.
According to reports from German magazine Kicker, Benfica is being linked with Freiburg starting keeper Alexander Schwolow. Benfica have already held talks in the past with Freiburg about central defender Robin Koch but it is unknown if the Lisbon side discussed Schwolow with the German club at the same time. The 27 year old German keeper is said to have an €8M buy out clause and has also garnered interest from Dutch side Ajax. Benfica are currently in talks with Boavista about acquiring starter Helton Leite but with interest growing in Leite's services from English clubs, Benfica may be looking at a fall back plan if the Leite deal falls through. Schwolow has been with Freiburg since joining their youth side in 2008 and has appeared in 160 career games in goal across all competitions, recording 37 clean sheets.
