Benfica have important month ahead

After a disappointing loss to Sporting where the club was just not clinical in front of their Lisbon rivals goal, Benfica have a very important month ahead which if they falter could see the end of Jorge Jesus' run as the manager of the club. Benfica will face Dynamo Kiev this week at the Luz in a must win game and hope that Barcelona either loses or draws against Bayern Munich to advance to the Champions League round of 16.

Benfica will then take on Famalicao in league play on the weekend before a crucial League Cup game against Covilha mid month in which they will need a victory by three or more goals to win their group and advance to the semi-finals. Benfica will face off against Maritimo in another league game at home before playing two crucial games against rival FC Porto, one on the 23rd in the Taca de Portugal round of 16 and the other on the 30th in league action with both games being played at Porto's Dragao.

A decision into Jorge Jesus' time at Benfica may be decided by the results that the club is able to obtain under his command this month. It is crucial that Benfica get the better of their arch rivals FC Porto something that Jesus has not been able to obtain for the club since his return to Benfica winning only one of six encounters in the Classico. Benfica fans showed the manager their displeasure Friday when they waved the famous white towel at the conclusion of the Lisbon Derby which caught the attention of  Benfica's upper management.

Newcastle will need to wait on Vlachodimos

According to Portuguese paper O Jogo, Benfica starting keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos is on the radar of Premiership club Newcastle who would like to acquire the Greek International when the winter transfer window opens next month. Newcastle are open to beginning talks with Benfica shortly but the Lisbon side is said to not be interested in discussing any move for the clubs current number one until the end of the current season.

Vlachodimos spent his youth career at Stuttgart before moving on to join Greek club Panathinaikos on a free transfer in the summer of 2016. Benfica scouts were impressed with the now 27 year old's performances with the Greek outfit and Benfica made the move to acquire Vlachodimos in the summer of 2018 for €2.4M. Vlachodimos has appeared in 142 games across all competitions since joining the club and maintained 58 clean sheets while capturing one League title and a Super Cup.

Barcelona still locked on Benfica left back Grimaldo

Barcelona have locked onto Benfica left back Alex Grimaldo as the heir apparent to long time starting left back Jordi Alba who will be 33 before seasons end. Barcelona had been linked previously with their former home grown talent when Ronald Koeman was at the helm but the change in manager to Xavi has only intensified the clubs desire to land Grimaldo for next season after his display against the club in Champions League action.

Grimaldo left Barcelona's B team in the winter of 2016 for a mere €2.1M and has been Benfica's regular starting left back since the 2017/18 season. Grimaldo has appeared in 223 career games with the club across all competitions, scoring 16 goals while setting up an additional 45. Benfica are intent on holding onto the 26 year old Spaniard as they await a minimum bid of €25M-€30M to consider letting him depart.