Benfica's return to action after a long lay off due to the current COVID-19 pandemic did not present much of a change from when they last played with the club dropping points once again to Tondela in a scoreless draw, a club currently fighting relegation. Benfica have now dropped points in three straight league games with all those encounters ending in draws and have earned 6 of a possible 18 points in their last six league games but somehow still sit tied with FC Porto atop the Portuguese league.
Benfica can thank Famalicao who handed Porto a loss in their return to action yesterday for even moving into the tie for top spot, although Porto do hold the tiebreaker. Benfica's form has been so poor of late that some might wonder if Bruno Lage should renew his library card and get some books on tactics as last seasons all world manager doesn't seem to know the difference between a watermelon and a banana right now. Lage is slowly looking like a manager that made one right move last season and that was inserting Joao Felix into a regular role with the club.
Benfica return to action after a long lay off due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will play Tondela in Week 25 action at an empty Estadio da Luz. Benfica will be looking to take advantage of FC Porto's loss to Famalicao in their first game to leap frog the current league leaders for top spot in the league. Benfica will play Tondela today
at 7:15pm WEST
and
they will dress 18 players from the list below.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Ivan Zlobin
Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares, Andre Almeida, Jardel
Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl, Gabriel
Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa, Seferovic
Thanks to the current COVID-19 pandemic effecting the globe, UEFA is looking at safer alternatives to host their Champions League Final and Benfica's Estadio da Luz has been mentioned as a potential host stadium to conclude the 2019/20 tournament. UEFA currently have security concerns with hosting the final in Istanbul as was originally the case and are thinking of condensing the tournament for the final eight with a one game elimination format all in one country. This would reduce travel and safety concerns as well as reducing the amount of games that are normally played. Lisbon is considered an ideal location with their newer stadiums, low COVID numbers and with no Portuguese clubs remaining in the tournament, no one club would have any type of advantage with no fans set to attend the games. Benfica's Estadio da Luz last hosted the Champions League final in 2014 which pitted an all Madrid showdown between Real and Atletico.
