Brazilian trio still adapting to European football

The newly acquired Brazilian trio this summer are all adapting to the style of game played in Europe from their homeland as the season continues to move forward. Brazilians, Everton, Gabriel and Pedrinho all joined the club during the summer transfer window for a combined €40M and all three have yet to make their mark this season. Benfica manager Jorge Jesus feels that the trio has a lot of talent between them but have yet to reach their potential as they adjust to the more demanding European game which provides less space to work with and more defensive responsibility.
Everton who is a regular for the Brazilian national side is the only one of the trio who has played regular minutes and also the only one to have scored across all competitions while chipping in five helpers. Gilberto has only started to play regularly with the injury to starting right back Andre Almeida, while Pedrinho has played the least minutes of the three and thus far been the least impressive. The Brazilians will continue to work with manager Jesus as they learn his system and what is required in European football as they look to help the club succeed this season.

Jorge Jesus has talk with Gabriel about attitude

Benfica manager Jorge Jesus was unimpressed by the reaction he received from midfielder Gabriel upon the players substitution in the clubs recent Europa League game against Standard Liege. Jesus substituted Gabriel at the 72nd minute of the game and the midfielder was unhappy with being taken off the pitch. What was followed was harsh words from the Benfica manager towards the midfielder that had Rui Costa intervene to calm the mood but the two would sit and talk about the situation and Jesus made it clear to the player that he would be let off with a warning and that any further bad behavior will result in a fine and possible suspension from the club. Jesus expects that Gabriel will not be a problem again going forward and that he understands what is expected from him by the manager and club.

Benfica score flurry of second half goals in Europa League win

Benfica needed to get into the second half to open the scoring and added an additional two goals in 3-0 victory over Standard Liege in Europa League play. Benfica dominated the majority of the first half holding the visitors to no shots on goal but were unable to get on the scoresheet in front of a small home crowd for the first time since the pandemic hit. Benfica would open the scoring just four minutes into the second half when Waldschmidt was taken down in the box by Liege defender Bope. Pizzi would step up to the dot and make no mistake beating Liege keeper Bodart low and to the left. Benfica would then double their lead at the 66 minute mark from the penalty spot once again when left back Nuno Tavares was taken down in the box by Liege right back Collins. 

In a surprising move striker Waldschmidt would step up to take the penalty instead of regular spot taker Pizzi and the young German did not disappoint burying the ball into the high top right corner. Benfica would add one more just ten minutes later as Pizzi would score his second of the game off a deflected that would get past the keeper. This game would also mark Diogo Goncalves' debut in the right back spot, a position that the 23 year old has been working on during training since the arrival of Jesus to the club. Benfica will next host Rangers in a battle for top spot in their respective group on November 5.