What Benfica need for Christmas this year

With the Christmas season upon us, we take a look at what old St. Nick can bring the club this holiday season to make it a joyous one for all the Benfica fans around the globe.

An attacking midfielder:

Benfica has an out of position Pizzi in the middle on many occasions and Taarabt who's best games tend to be against lesser opponents, the clubs other options leave a lot to be desired so Santa can look at placing a Viktor Kovalenko from Shakhtar or Jack Grealish from Aston Villa under the tree this winter. This is the clubs biggest wish this Christmas.

A defensive midfielder:

Benfica's options at the position run from Julian Weigl, Gabriel and long time club member Samaris. All three are capable of having decent games every now and then but lack the consistency needed to play regularly in the starting eleven. Santa can bring a consistent defensive midfielder to the club in the mold of Portuguese international William Carvalho or Denis Zakaria from Monchengladbach. This would be a secondary gift that Santa could add under the tree this season.

A right back:

The injury to regular starter Andre Almeida has hampered the clubs defensive play while providing little attack from summer signing Gilberto and Diogo Goncalves who is just learning a new position. With Almeida getting up there in age, Santa could bring the club a younger and more reliable right back this winter with the likes of Denzel Dumfries from PSV or Fabricio Bustos from Independiente to be added as bonus gift this Christmas.

The holiday season tends to be a festive time for people all around the globe and if Santa can drop off a few presents at the Estadio da Luz this season, the club will be better off for it.

Benfica blow tire again in Super Cup

Benfica lose again in another must win game, their third time this season since the return of Jorge Jesus and the so called super transfer summer has looked anything but super. Benfica lose to rivals FC Porto today, 2-0 for the Portuguese Super Cup and now are 0-3 in must win games this season. Benfica did not look dangerous during much of the game and an early VAR decision penalty put the Eagles down 1-0 just twenty minutes in. Benfica came close to drawing level on a Grimaldo free kick that rang off the cross bar with just a few minutes left in the game but Porto sealed the win in the dying minutes when the doubled their lead handing Benfica a disappointing loss to their northern rivals.

Jorge Jesus return has yet to bring much joy to the fans of the club having missed out on Champions League play to start the year, then crawling back to draw a game with Rangers in Scotland which cost the club a chance of winning their Europa League group and now losing to their rivals in what is the first trophy of this seasons campaign. Benfica currently sit second in Portugal going into the Christmas break and have endured too many sub par performances especially from the middle of their field. Benfica will return to action on the 29th when they host Portimonense in Week 11 action.

Benfica will face Braga in Taca da Liga semi-final

Benfica and Braga are set to face off in the Taca da Liga semi-final in Leiria on January 20 with the winner of the semi-final advancing to the Final on January 23 against the winner of the FC Porto and Sporting encounter. Benfica advanced to the semis after a quarter final victory in penalties over Guimaraes while Braga defeated second division side Estoril 3-1. Benfica are seven time winners of the Taca da Liga but last won the competition in 2016 while Braga are the current defending champions and also won the competition in 2013. The two clubs met in league action in November with Braga defeating Benfica 3-2.