Benfica could look within league for new left back

Benfica may need to look at replacing current starting left back Alex Grimaldo at seasons end when the Spaniard is set to become a free agent, as the club and 27 year old have yet to come to an agreement on a new contract with the seasoning entering its final third. Benfica acquired left back Mihailo Ristic this past summer but the 27 year old has seen limited action in part to injuries and in part to Grimaldo's fine form this season.

If Benfica are unable to reach an agreement with Grimaldo the club could follow the example of their league rivals and look to acquire a player for a discounted price from inside their respective league. There are a pair of league players who could compete with Ristic for a spot in the starting XI next season and Benfica manager Roger Schmidt may just be able to work some magic a la Joao Mario with one of the two players below.

Leonardo Lelo - Casa Pia - 22 years old

Lelo has had a fantastic season for Casa Pia and has caught the attention of Portuguese clubs, he has appeared in 17 league games, scoring one goal while setting up three. Lelo came up through Olhanense's youth system and has recently received a call up to Portugal's Under 21 squad. Lelo is a complete left back who can take set pieces and has excellent crosses into the box.

Ricardo Mangas - Boavista - 24 years old

Mangas is a former Seixal academy product, so the club has some familiarity with the player, he has appeared in 19 league games this season, scoring two goals. Mangas spent last season on loan with French club Bordeaux where he was regular starter but was returned back to Boavista at seasons end after the French sides relegation. Mangas has a good first touch and speed that allows him to be dangerous in the attacking zone.

Goncalo Guedes out of action with injury

Benfica have announced that forward Goncalo Guedes will undergo surgery in the next few days to an injury suffered to his left knee that is effecting meniscus which is a c-shaped piece of rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the shinbone and thighbone. Guedes has not appeared in the clubs past couple of games after suffering the injury in a league game against Vizela.

The 26 year old who is currently on loan at Benfica from Wolverhampton, joined the club during the winter transfer window and had appeared in eight games across all competitions, scoring twice while providing one assist. The club did not announce how much time Guedes will miss after the surgery but the average time of recovery can range from three weeks to three months.

Benfica through to quarters after Brugge win

Benfica will be moving on to the Champions League quarter-finals after a dominating 5-1 victory in the second leg over Belgian side Club Brugge at the Luz after winning the first leg 2-0 away from home.

Benfica opened the scoring just two minutes into the game when Joao Mario beat Brugge keeper Mignolet but the goal would be called back on an offside in the build up to the play. Benfica would then come close on two other occasions before Rafa Silva would neatly skip away from challenges to open the scoring at the thirty-eight minute mark. Goncalo Ramos would then double the lead in first half injury time, after a brilliant Joao Mario reverse pass to the youngster who would beat three Brugge defenders for the score.

Benfica continued their dominance of play in the second half and put the game to rest when Ramos would score his second goal just twelve minutes into the half, converting a Grimaldo cross into the low left side of the net. Joao Mario made it four from the penalty spot after Brugge defender Sylla needlessly brought down Gilberto in the box and then David Neres would get in on the act to make the score 5-0 with some assistance from VAR after the goal was initially ruled offside. Brugge would end their scoreless run in the two leg encounter as Meijer found the back of the net with three minutes left in the game to break the clean sheet but it was too little too late.

Benfica have now earned roughly €70M from this seasons edition of the Champions League a club record to date and will await to find out their opponents in the quarter-finals as the competition moves along.