Thursday, July 30, 2020

Benfica find out possible opponents in UEFA

Benfica Blog
Benfica have found out who their possible opponents in the Champions League 3rd round qualifying stage will be and who they will avoid as they look to advance to the windfall of the group stage. Benfica will have the status of top seed and will avoid clubs Dynamo Kiev Gent, Besiktas in the stage with their possible opponents coming from Krasnodar, PAOK, Rapid Vienna, Rennes, AZ Alkmaar, Lokomotiv Zagreb and Viktoria Plzen. Benfica will still need a playoff to reach the group stage after the 3rd round qualifier but in a change from previous years due to COVID-19 the 3rd round qualifier will be a one off game while the playoff game will be the normal two legs.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Benfica wants to take Cabrera from Espanyol

Benfica Blog
Benfica are being linked with Espanyol central defender Leonardo Cabrera according to reports coming from Portugal's dailies. With Espanyol's relegation for next season, Benfica are hoping to land the 29 year old defender from the squad at an affordable price tag with Espanyol's asking price said to be in the €15M range. Cabrera joined Espanyol from Getafe during the recent winter transfer window for €9M and appeared in 38 games across all competitions for both clubs. 
Newly appointed manager Jorge Jesus is said to be the driving force behind the clubs interest in landing the Uruguayan defender who he tried to bring unsuccessfully to former club Flamengo during the 2019 season. Cabrera's strength in aerial duels would be an asset at the club and he could just be the ideal partner for Ruben Dias next season.

Monday, July 27, 2020

Benfica needs to find out what to do with returnees

Benfica need to find out what to do with returnees
The seasons are ending around Europe and Benfica are set to receive an influx of players returning from loan spells at other clubs and will need to find out exactly what they will do with each player going forward.

With new manager Jorge Jesus on the horizon some players may fit into Jesus's plans while others may be sent off permanently. I take a look at some key players returning to the club and what may happen going forward.

Diogo Goncalves - returning from Famalicao

Total Appearances: 34; Goals: 7; Assists: 10; Minutes: 2510

The 23 year old Goncalves may be the most likely to remain with Jesus at the club, with high expectations over the past few years, Goncalves finally put it all together while at Famalicao this season.

Filip Krovinovic - returning from West Brom

Total Appearances: 43; Goals: 3; Assists: 4; Minutes: 2427

Krovinovic was a key contributor to West Brom's climb back to the Premiership but without a buy clause in his deal he returns to Benfica, look for West Brom to look to make the move permanent.