Benfica have released updates on injured defenders Alex Grimaldo and Jardel and the news is not good for the club or their fans. Grimaldo will miss the rest of the season after suffering ligament damage to his left knee and Jardel will miss the majority of what is left in the season possibly returning for the final couple of games due to a muscle injury in his left thigh. The two players were both injured in this weeks Portimonense encounter which will not open the door for a return to the starting eleven for Ferro and Nuno Tavares. Grimaldo has appeared in 41 games across all competitions for the club scoring once while setting up eight goals. Jardel who seems set to retire after this season has battled injuries all year and has appeared in only 12 games across all competitions.
Italian club Napoli are being linked with Benfica youngster Tomas Tavares according to reports coming from Sky Sports Italia. The 19 year old right back is seen as a possible replacement for current back up Faouzi Ghoulam. Tavares made his first team debut this season and is another product from the clubs fame Seixal academy. Tavares has appeared in 25 games across all competitions for the club this season but has yet to record a goal or an assist and has been forced into action due to regular starter Andre Almeida battling an injury bug on multiple occasions this season. Although no dollar values have been released, Benfica is notorious for wanting top dollar for their academy players and Tavares will be no different.
Benfica look to snap out of a funk that started in February as they travel south to take on Portiminense in Week 26 action. Benfica blew their chance to take sole possession of top spot in the league last week with a scoreless draw against Tondela which was then followed by harsh criticism from the clubs President. Bruno Lage has asked the players to dig deep for today's encounter. Benfica will
play Portimonense today
at 7:00pm WEST
and
they will dress 20 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
Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa, Seferovic
