Benfica release depleted squad for Nacional encounter

Benfica are set to host Madeira side Nacional in Week 15 action of the Portuguese League with a depleted roster due to ten of the clubs players currently out of action after testing positive for COVID-19. The devastating impact of the positive tests will be Benfica dip to third stringers in their league game. Benfica will play Nacional at 5pm WEST at the Estadio da Luz. They will dress all 20 players from the list below for the encounter..
  
Keepers- Mile Svilar, Fabio Duarte

Defenders- Ferro, Jardel, Todibo, Joao Ferreira

Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Samaris, Julian Weigl, Rafa Silva, Pedrinho, Tiago Araujo

Forwards- Darwin Nunez, Goncalo Ramos, Seferovic, Facundo Ferreyra 

Jorge Jesus waiting to go 3-4-3

Benfica manager Jorge Jesus is waiting on the arrival of recent signing Lucas Verissimo as rumours swirl that he is ready to change Benfica's formation to an attacking 3-4-3. For Jesus' 3-4-3 formation to work he will rely on players to fully understand their roles in this type of formation as he switches to playing with 3 center backs in his starting eleven. A key piece to the 3-4-3 system will be defensive midfielder Julian Weigl who will be expected to get back deeper into the defensive box when the club defends opponents attacks while joining the club on the offensive. Jesus will count on his current squad to master this type of formation which would see the club pin opponents back with the sheer number of players that can commit to the attack but this type of formation requires the right type of skilled players, as stamina and tactical discipline are a big part of this formation working. Jesus is looking to not only compete for the league title at home but make a run in UEFA's Europa League with an attack that might just be hard to defend.

Benfica face world reality after massive covid cases

The world as we know has not been the same in almost a year but the little sense of normality that we took some comfort in was watching our favourite sport clubs play even if their were practically little to zero fans in the stands. Today though the world reality hit our favourite club Benfica who have been rocked with 17 positive cases of COVID that effects the clubs players, coaching and general staff. Benfica have had to deal with small cases of COVID-19 among its club during the season but not at such a high level of infection as it sees now.

Benfica have five of the clubs players among the 17 positive cases, this includes Diogo Goncalves, Gilberto, Jan Vertonghen, Alex Grimaldo and Waldschmidt along with club President Luis Filipe Vieira. Winger Everton is also in isolation due to his spouse testing positive, although he himself has tested negative for the virus. Benfica is set to play tomorrow in a semi-final encounter against Braga in Taca da Liga action but the league is currently pondering how best to proceed with the clubs games over the next two weeks. Benfica manager Jorge Jesus who has tested negative for the virus had his press conference cancelled by the club today as they deal with this current situation.

Updated- Benfica have two more player cases of COVID-19 with Nuno Tavares and Otamendi testing positive