Benfica striker Rodrigo Pinho's season has come to an end after the 30 year old had surgery earlier today to repair a rupture in his left anterior cruciate ligament at a Lisbon hospital. Pinho joined Benfica this summer as a free agent after spending four seasons with Madeira club Maritimo, he appeared in only three league games for Benfica this season scoring one goal against Santa Clara in a rare start. The season ending injury to Pinho and with Swiss striker Seferovic also out, the club is down to three strikers at this time.
Benfica escaped their Taca de Portugal third round encounter against Trofense with a 2-1 victory in additional extra time after receiving a scare from the second division side. What Benfica was unable to escape the game with was injuries which were suffered in the game by starting left back Gil Dias and followed by his replacement Lazaro just twenty minutes after coming onto the pitch. Both players suffered muscle injuries on their left legs and join Rodrigo Pinho, Gedson Fernandes and Haris Seferovic in the infirmary.
Benfica striker Darwin Nunez was announced today as the Portuguese League player of the month for September after scoring 4 goals in three games of action. The 22 year old was also named the forward of the month joining teammate Joao Mario who was announced as the midfielder of the month. Club manager Jorge Jesus also picked up the manager of the month award handed out by the Portuguese League this week. Nunez has had a hot start to the year scoring 6 goals across all competitions over 8 games.
