Football Season Guide

Liga

Portugal

Liga

Liga

SL Benfica

In

João Victor (def) Corinthians, BRA; Enzo Fernandez (mid) River Plate, ARG; David Neres (att) Shakthar Donetsk; Alexander Bah (def) Slavia Praha, CZE; Mihailo Ristic (def) Montpellier, FRA; Petar Musa (att) Boavista

Out

Darwin Nuñez (k)(att) Liverpool, ENG; Everton ‘Cebolinha’ (r)(att) Flamengo, BRA; Mile Svilar (sp)(gk) AS Roma, ITA; Valentino Lazaro (sp)(def) Inter Milan, ITA – return from loan; Nemanja Radonic (sp)(att) Marseille, FRA – return from loan; Seferovic (sp)(att) Galatasaray, TUR

Last season a very disappointing one. More than the previous one had been. Jorge Jesus left around December when the team continued a very irregular run, but things got only worse after he left, as the interim Veríssimo was running a very unmotivated group of players. In the end, no titles at all and a poor 3rd place in league, 17 points away from champions. Biggest change for next year is in dugout, as the well known Roger Schmidt will be the gaffer for the new season. He should empoy his favourite 4-2-3-1 formation. No changes in goal. Only Svilar left, but he was hardly ever an option. Hélton Leite remains the reserve option for the reliable Greek goalkeeper Vlachodimos. 3 new faces for the back line. Danish full-back Bah is expected to be the man for the right-side; Ristic arrived for the left side, but already picked an injury. Grimaldo has offers to leave, but for now he remains the main choice. João Victor is a big new name for the centre, where there are already Lucas Veríssimo (recovering from long injury), Otamendi and Vertonghen. Enzo Perez is a clinical new signing for midfield; he perfectly suits Schmidt’s midfield duo. He should form an interesting partnership with Weigl, but there will also be the very good tackler Florentino, who finally seems to be heading for a full season at Benfica after several loan spells. For the attacking midfield trio, Éverton Cebolinha is gone after two disappointing seasons; the also Brazilian David Neres arrived from Shakthar and is the hottest new signing for the new season, for now. Rafa will continue providing pace to the wings. João Mário is the main man for the no. 10 position, but he needs to improve his game after a poor season. In attack, Darwin left for big numbers to Liverpool. Home boys Gonçalo Ramos and Henrique Araújo will be having their definitive season; Yaremchuck will provide physicality for the position when needed. New signing Petar Musa did very well in Boavista last season, but it isn’t sure he is ready to have an immediate impact and be Darwin’s replacement.

Target

Obviously, a title challenger, but the squad seems short in options for key positions like no. 10 and striker.