Benfica set for Ajax with little hope of advancing

Benfica get set to face Dutch side Ajax in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 in Lisbon and head into the game having dropped points in four out of their last eight league games with the latest poor performance happening just this past Friday that saw the club blow a two goal lead to draw against Boavista.

Current intern manager Nelson Verissimo looks out of his league managing this club and that gives us Benfica supporters little hope that the club will advance past current Dutch league leaders and Champions League group stage winners Ajax. Benfica have conceded ten goals in nine games across all competitions in 2022 and take on an Ajax side that has scored 28 goals in 2022 in just seven games across all competitions.

Benfica will have their hands full in Lisbon on Wednesday in what looks set to be a high scoring affair but even if the club can miraculously escape the game with a draw or a surprising win. They will then need to head to Amsterdam for the second leg of this encounter were Ajax have not dropped any points since early November 2021. Benfica fans have hope as that is all you can find in the Pandora box of the season the club has had.

Joao Mario set to return to starting XI

Joao Mario is set to return to Benfica's starting XI this weekend as Benfica get set to travel to Bessa to take on Boavista in Week 23 action. The 29 year old midfielder was out of action the past two league games, the first after testing positive for COVID-19 and the second saw youngster Paulo Bernardo play in his place as he sat on the bench for the clubs full 90 minutes. Joao Mario has started 17 out of the clubs 22 league games this season, scoring two goals in league play while also setting up a pair.

Benfica ready to bring Angel Di Maria home

Benfica are ready to make an offer to former winger Angel Di Maria this summer when the current PSG player becomes a free agent, as the club looks to bolster it's attack for next season. Twelve years have now past since the 33 year old wore Benfica colours but his fondness of his first club in Europe still remains high but Benfica will not be alone in their pursuit of Di Maria who also has interest from Spanish club Atletico Madrid and Italian side Juventus.

Di Maria arrived in Portugal from Argentinian club Rosario Central in the summer of 2007 to join Benfica after the club purchased the player for €8M. Di Maria went on to play three seasons at Benfica before departing to join the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and his current club PSG. Di Maria appeared in 119 games across all competitions for Benfica, scoring 19 goals while setting up an additional 28 and was a key member of Benfica's 2009/10 Portuguese League title.

Benfica's hopes of landing Di Maria may well depend on the clubs ability to qualify for next seasons Champions League group stage as the Argentinian has made it known that he wants to remain in Europe with his sights set on being called up to his country's national team for their run at next winters World Cup in Qatar. Benfica fans can only hope that a reunion with the magician is in the cards this summer.