With Benfica set to return to action on Thursday at home against Tondela, reports out of Portugal have stated that Bruno Lage looks to have his starting eleven picked and ready when league play recommences. Lage is said to be looking to go with Vlachodimos, Andre Almeida, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Alex Grimaldo, Gabriel, Julian Weigl, Rafa Silva, Pizzi, Taarabt and Carlos Vinicius in the starting eleven against Tondela. The long layoff has benefited the club when it's come to it's injury list with the return to action of players Andre Almeida and Gabriel who were out of the lineup at the time of stoppage. Their return to the lineup will see Lage experiment with midfielder Taarabt in the secondary striker/attacking midfielder role along side striker Carlos Vinicius. Benfica have ten games remaining in the season and will look to kickoff their return to play with a win over Tondela.
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.
