Benfica look to get back to winning ways after a bit of a tailspin the last two games after five straight victories to start the league season. As the club currently sits in fourth spot but can move back into third with a victory over Maritimo in Madeira. Benfica will play Maritimo today
at 7pm WEST
and
they will dress 20 players from the list below.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar, Helton Leite
Defenders- Diogo Goncalves, Alex Grimaldo, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Jardel, Gilberto, Joao Ferreira
Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Everton, Gabriel
Forwards- Waldschmidt, Seferovic, Goncalo Ramos, Facundo Ferreyra
Benfica midfielder Julian Weigl could be on his way out of the club when the January transfer window opens after hiring agent Pini Zahavi to represent him going forward. Weigl arrived at Benfica last January from Borussia Dortmund for €20M when Bruno Lage was still the manager of the club but is not a first choice option since the arrival of new manager Jorge Jesus to the club. The 25 year old Weigl has only started in three games for Benfica this season, playing a total of 435 minutes. It is rumoured that Weigl's decision to hire Zahavi is to find a new club were he can play regular minutes with Italian trio AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus linked to his services. Benfica are said to want €25M if they are to consider moving Weigl when the transfer window opens.
Benfica manager Jorge Jesus surprised many today when he made the decision to start keeper Helton Leite over normal starter Vlachodimos in a crucial Europa League encounter against Rangers. The Benfica boss assured the clubs faithful that Vlachodimos will be back between the posts when the club takes on Maritimo in Week 10 action on Monday. Jesus felt that Leite's recent start in the Taca de Portugal against Paredes was not a real test for the keeper and since he is unfamiliar with Leite, he felt that the Rangers encounter would be an ideal test for Benfica's current back up. Jesus also added that even if Leite was the best player on the field today, Vlachodimos would be back in net against Maritimo. Benfica added Leite during the summer window after being linked with the 30 year old keeper for some time.
