Benfica advance to playoff round of Champions League

Benfica have advanced to the final playoff round of the Champions League after a convincing 7-2 aggregate victory over two legs against Danish club Midtjylland which concluded earlier today with a 3-1 away win. Benfica will now face Ukrainian club Dynamo Kiev who advanced in additional extra time over Sturm Graz.

The winner of this two leg playoff round will clinch a spot in the Champions League group stage and be awarded a hefty prize bonus of around €40M, while the other will drop down into the group stage of the Europa League. Benfica will play the first leg away on August 17 and host the return leg a week later on the 24th at the Luz. 

Dynamo will host Benfica in a neutral site game in Poland due to the on going war currently taking place in the Ukraine and have played in only four competitive games to date this year which have all taken place over the past few weeks as they to reach the group stage.

Roger Schmidt has high praise for Enzo

Benfica manager Roger Schmidt had high praise for recently acquired midfielder Enzo Fernandez after last nights league opening win, he admits to be pleasantly surprised with Enzo during the preseason and in the clubs first two competitive games as the 21 year old is already stepping up and providing the production from the midfield position which was lacking throughout most of last season.

Fernandez has scored in back to back games and is already taking a big step forward in his first trip across the pond and into European football. Schmidt also added that he has been impressed with Enzo's willingness to ask for the ball in risky situations and feels that he is in the right place to see his game grow.

Benfica make official bid for Aursnes

Benfica have made their first official bid for Feyenoord defensive midfielder Fredrik Aursnes according to reports from Portugal as the Lisbon club looks to add more reinforcements before the end of the transfer window. Benfica has been linked with Aursnes for weeks now but have only now offered Feyenoord €10M for the players services and talks are said to be going well.

Benfica kick off the league season tomorrow against Arouca at the Estadio da Luz and will go into the game looking to keep up their fine form under new manager Roger Schmidt which included a weekday win over Midtjylland in the first leg of a Champions League qualifier. this week. Benfica are also said to be progressing in talks with Braga for winger Ricardo Horta and have increased their offer to €15M plus a player.