Is it time to panic at Benfica

Benfica, who only just eight days ago had lost one game across all competitions this season, have now lost three games in a row after suffering an uneventful 1-0 loss to mid table club Chaves earlier today and have let FC Porto back into the title race with six games left in the season. This streak has also left Benfica with one foot out the door in their Champions League quarter-final encounter against Inter Milan after suffering a 2-0 defeat in their first leg midweek.

The team is failing to perform up to their usual standards and fans are beginning to wonder if it is time to panic at Benfica. However, it is important to remember that every team goes through ups and downs, ours seems to be happening at the most inopportune time.

Benfica has a strong history of success and talented players on their current roster. We have to remember that the club would in a worse case scenario have a four point lead on Porto after this week and still control their own destiny, furthermore the club has a second leg remaining against Inter to make a statement.

While it may be tempting to panic at Benfica's current situation, it is important for everyone involved with the club to remain level-headed and focused on improvement. The fans will need to do the same while getting behind the club and being the twelfth man the club so desperately needs at the moment.

That includes putting your cell phones away at match time.

Benfica seem to be running on fumes

Benfica has been a dominant force in their domestic league and Europe this season, however the past few games, cracks seem to be starting to show as the club has struggled and have fans wondering if they may just be running out of gas at the most inopportune time.

Benfica have dropped two games in a row at home, suffering a defeat in O Classico against FC Porto that saw the Dragons reduce the clubs lead to seven points atop Portugal. That was followed four days later, with  their first loss in the Champions League to Inter Milan at the quarter-final stage and will see the club have to travel to Italy down two goals as they look to keep their European dream alive.

Benfica are struggling to create chances and score goals, which is reflected in their recent results, their lone win since the International break was a struggle to a 1-0 victory over Rio Ave. 

The lack of depth in the squad is also a major concern and has seen manager Roger Schmidt face his first criticism from the club faithful as his lack of in game management and the usage of his bench has been almost non-existent.

Benfica is facing their first difficult phase of the season and need to regain their confidence to get back on track before what has been a marvelous campaign turns into dramatic collapse.

Benfica run of poor play proves costly in Inter loss

Benfica's run of poor performances proves to be costly in their loss today to Inter Milan. The Portuguese side has been struggling since the end of the International break and their lack of form was evident on the pitch against the Italian giants today in Champions League play. Despite coming into the game as favourites, Benfica failed to produce the free flowing attack that fans have become accustomed to seeing this season.

The two clubs played a scoreless first half before Inter struck twice in the second half, with the second marker coming of a harsh penalty call that saw the ball deflect off Joao Mario's head onto his out of position arm inside the box.

Benfica's struggles to break down a stingy Inter defense was no more apparent then down the right side of the field where Gilberto, playing in place of an injured Alexander Bah and Joao Mario failed to click time and time again before the introduction of David Neres changed that.

With just one win in their last three competitive games, which include two straight losses at home, Benfica must find a way to turn things around quickly if they hope to progress further in Europe's elite competition.

The pressure will be on Benfica manager Roger Schmidt who will need to find his best XI for a must win second leg at the San Siro next week and shake off his apparent lack of confidence with his bench options when things are not working to plan.