Benfica are set for their season ending encounter against FC Porto later today in the Taca de Portugal Final, as they hope to end the season on a high note after letting the league title slip away to their arch rivals. This game is also special because Benfica have decided they will unveil next seasons jerseys in this final game for all to see instead of waiting until the start of next year.
Benfica fans have lined up the streets of Coimbra chanting Benfica songs as they let their club know they are all behind them. The Taca game will also mark the last game by intern manager Nelson Verissimo as he gets ready to hand the reigns to incoming manager Jorge Jesus.
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.
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.
