Bruno Lage is ready to hand the starting striker spot back to Swiss International Haris Seferovic after a strong performance as a substitute in the clubs last match against Rio Ave. With Benfica struggling to score goals, averaging just 1.25 goals per game over their last eight league games compared to 2.42 in their first 19 games of the season. Bruno Lage is desperate to find a striker to step into the role that Carlos Vinicius filled well for the club during the first half of the season. Seferovic who was last seasons golden boot winner in the Portuguese League with 23 goals got off to a slow start this season without last seasons strike partner Joao Felix giving Vinicius the opportunity to take over his starting role.
The Brazilian striker who has scored 15 goals on the season has struggled with just one in his last seven games, opening the door for Seferovic to reclaim his starting role once again. Lage also has striker Dyego Sousa at his disposal who is on loan from Chinese club Shenzhen but Sousa has yet to score for the club in his 154 minutes of action. Bruno Lage knows that without a striker scoring regularly for the club, the teams chances of defending their league crown take a steep dive and this is why he is ready to give the reigns to Seferovic when the club takes on Santa Clara later this week.
Benfica is being linked to 18 year old attacking midfielder Yuriel Celi from Peruvian club AD Cantolao. According to reports from Italy, Benfica have yet to make a formal offer for the player but are currently investigating what it would take to land the player. Celi made the move to the main squad of Cantolao last season making 15 appearances while scoring once, he also featured for the Peru in the South American U17 Championship were he chipped in three goals. Benfica are not the only European club being linked to Celi with several Italian clubs interested in the youngster's services.
The Portuguese Football Federation has finally announced a date for the Taca de Portugal final between Benfica and FC Porto. The final will take place on Saturday August 1 at a yet to be determined venue and time but the federation will announce this by months end. The Taca final which is normally played at Jamor is unable to meet the health and safety requirements that have been set due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Benfica will be looking to win their 30th Taca de Portugal in a Classico showdown against their northern rivals.
