Enzo pays tribute to Benfica during interview

It took almost two weeks but former Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez paid tribute to his former club during a post game interview with English channel BT Sport. Enzo thanked Benfica for giving him the opportunity to make the move to European football and that he would always be grateful to everyone at the club, saying his experience was beautiful and that he learned a lot while there.

Benfica sold Enzo to Chelsea on deadline day for a Premier League record of €121M just six months after acquiring the midfielder from River Plate for €10M with an additional €8m in add ons. Enzo went on to win a rare winter edition of the World Cup in December with Argentina, being named the young player of the tournament which only added to his value and eventually clinching his move to Chelsea.

Braga end Benfica run in Taca de Portugal

Benfica are out of the Taca de Portugal at the quarter final stage after suffering a penalty shootout defeat to Braga after playing 120 minutes to a 1-1 draw. Benfica took an early lead on a Goncalo Guedes header but at the 30 minute mark, right back Alexander Bah lost his cool and took an idiotic red card for stomping on former Benfica midfielder Pizzi. Braga would then equalize just six minutes after the infraction as Al Musrati would tap in the ball at the far post after what looked like a harmless corner kick.

A game that Benfica started fluently until the red card was given would go into additional time as both clubs failed to score the rest of the way. Benfica would then be handed their second red card of the game when defender Morato received his second yellow with minutes remaining in additional time. The final whistle blew and the game would be heading to penalties...

Benfica would miss just one kick from the penalty spot as midfielder Fredrik Aursnes would be stopped by Braga keeper Matheus but it was more then enough with Braga converting all five of their kicks to advance to the Taca's semi-final stage. Braga continues to be a thorn in Benfica's side, having handed Benfica their only two losses of the current season, the first during league play at the end of 2022.

Benfica set for Taca de Portugal clash

Benfica are set to face Braga in the Taca de Portugal's quarter-final stage on Thursday as they look to advance in the competition and exact revenge on the only club that has defeated the Eagles under the guidance of Roger Schmidt this season. Benfica will visit Braga once again after suffering a 3-0 defeat in league play in their final game of the 2022 calendar year. A Benfica victory would see them move on and face the winner of Casa Pia or Nacional in the semi-finals.