Antonio Silva wanted by Europe's elite

Benfica's 18 year old center back Antonio Silva was given an opportunity to play for the main club thanks to a flurry of injuries to the clubs center back position this season and the youngster has taken the bull by the horns with poise and showing the confidence of a long time veteran in Benfica's starting XI.

Silva who was a relative unknown until a little over a month ago to all but the clubs most diehard fans has pushed aside all competitors to play along side Otamendi and his play has caught the attention of some of Europe's most elite clubs with Real Madrid and Manchester United all ready to make a move for the youngster.

Silva has been a part of Benfica's organization since 2016, joining the club from little known Viseu United at the tender age of 13 and moving to the clubs famous Sexial Academy where he completed his development. Silva was also a member of Benfica's winning 2021 UEFA Youth League squad, bringing home the clubs first UEFA trophy since Eusebio's famous Benfica sides of the sixties.

Benfica were quick to sign Silva to a new contract on September 5th, pushing his buy out clause to €100M to avoid the fate of losing the 18 year old for a lower value.

Benfica perform a masterclass against PSG

Benfica's best performance of the season did not result in a victory but the home draw in Champions League action against powerhouse French side PSG was a masterclass to watch. Benfica were not intimidated by PSG's attacking trio of Mpappe-Neymar-Messi and made sure to push back when they were pushed in a first half that they were the better side of the two clubs. PSG were fortunate to go into the half tied at one a piece thanks to some solid defending by keeper Donnarumma.

The second half saw PSG turn up their game but Benfica held their own and when the French club did get on goal, Benfica keeper Vlachodimos made sure to turn them away time and time again. Benfica got oh so close to shocking PSG in the 80th minute as a Rafa run got him past both PSG defenders and only a big stop again by Donnarumma keep the game even.

The clubs emotions came to a boiling point at the final whistle with both sides exchanging words on the field, we will not need to wait long for an encore as Benfica travel to Paris on Tuesday to take on PSG in a return match as both clubs sit tied at eight points a piece atop their group, let's hope for another thriller Tuesday as Benfica's confidence will surely get a boost going into the game.

Benfica look to get back on track

Benfica will look to get back to their winning ways after dropping points this past weekend for the first time this season in what was a scoreless draw against Guimaraes. Benfica had arguably their worst first half performance of the season, where they mustered zero shots on net and looked sluggish after a lay off due to the recent International break.

Benfica had a thirteen game winning run snapped in the draw, the run saw the club win seven league games and six games through the Champions League competition. Benfica also failed to score for the first time this season. The club will have a tough task if they are to return to the win column as they get set to face French powerhouse PSG at home in a battle for top spot in group play as both clubs come into the contest having won both their opening group games.