Moroccan midfielder Abel Taarabt will not play this weekend against Moreirense due to a groin injury suffered during last weeks opener against Famalicao which kept him out of training all week. Jorge Jesus is looking at Pizzi or Chiquinho as replacements for Taarabt in the midfield role. The Benfica manager states he is calm and confident with either player in that position with both players training during the week to fill the void.
Benfica and defensive midfielder Ljubomir Fejsa are currently in talks to end their seven year relationship with the termination of the players contract set to be settled between both parties over the next few days. The 32 year old Serbian is in the final year of his contract and with no place in Benfica's current lineup, Fejsa will be free to continue his career elsewhere with reports that he will move to a club in the Middle East. Fejsa joined Benfica in the summer of 2013 from Olympiakos and has appeared in 169 games across all competitions for the Lisbon side scoring twice. Fejsa was a key member of the clubs return to the top of Portugal winning five league titles and thirteen trophies in total as a member of Benfica.
Benfica have made a move with one of their youngsters as they look to get some of their Seixal academy players regular playing time this season, sending midfielder David Tavares to Moreirense until seasons end. The 21 year old Tavares appeared in 13 games across all competitions and 1002 minutes between Benfica and Benfica B last season but went without registering a goal or an assist during his playing time. Benfica will now turn their attention to a pair of other Seixal products as they look to find loan deals for Jota and Tomas Tavares before the transfer window closes.
