Schmidt's unbeaten run hits new high

Benfica manager Roger Schmidt continues his impressive unbeaten run in all competitions since taking over at the club during the summer. Schmidt's Benfica squad has gone twenty-one games without a loss and is unbeaten in all competitions which includes league play, the Taca de Portugal and the Champions League, both qualifiers and group play.

Schmidt has matched the unbeaten run of former manager Sven-Goran Ericsson which took place during the 1981/82 season. Schmidt's unbeaten run ties him for fifth on the clubs all time list and he is eleven games shy of surpassing legendary manager Bella Guttman's thirty-one game streak which he accomplished during the 1959/60 season.

 BENFICA ALL TIME UNBEATEN STREAKS

Bella Guttman  31 games (1959/60)

Jimmy Hagan 26 games (1971/72)

John Mortimore 26 games (1977/78)

Elek Schwartz 24 games (1964/65)

Sven-Goran Ericsson 21 games (1981/82) 

Roger Schmidt 21 games (2022/23)

Could Joao Felix be coming home..

Joao Felix is fighting for playing time at Atletico Madrid and last started a game for the club almost six weeks ago. Felix has had moments of brilliance at Atletico but the teams style of play seems to always thwart any chances of Felix showing the offensive form that we became accustomed to in his one season at Benfica.

Now come the rumours circulating that Felix could make a return to the Luz when the January transfer window opens according to Mundo Desportivo. The 22 year old arrived at Atletico from Benfica in the summer of 2018 for a jaw dropping €127M transfer fee but has failed to live up to the expectations placed upon him after his arrival for the record breaking fee, an all time high for Atletico Madrid.

Felix's return to Benfica would be on loan for the remainder of the season if it were to happen and would give the club another adequate attacking option as they look to recapture the Portuguese League crown once again and make a deep run in the Champions League after qualifying for the round of 16 earlier this week.

Benfica make it to knockout round of Champions League

Benfica will return to the Champions League round of 16 for the second consecutive season after holding on for a 4-3 victory over Juventus earlier today at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica were lead by a sparkling performance from Rafa Silva who scored a brace and was a mere goal post away from making it a hat trick.

Benfica also got goals from 18 year old sensation Antonio Silva, who scored his first goal for the senior side and became the second youngest player to score a goal for Benfica after Goncalo Guedes, while Joao Mario chipped one in from the penalty spot. Benfica still have the top spot in the group to play for as they sit tied in points with PSG with one game remaining but trail the tiebreaker in goal differential.

Benfica add roughly an additional €10M to their bank roll for qualifying for the round of 16 and have earned close to €60M this season in the competition.