Di Estádio do Algarve go host di last friendly match for Benfica before dem face St. Gallen for Europa League second qualifying round. Di match against Villarreal go happen dis Friday by 7:45pm Portugal time.
Marco Silva dey use dis game as final test to decide hin starting lineup for di new season. Di squad no dey complete because of transfer market and World Cup.
Some players no go fit play for dis friendly. Amar Dedic just return from holiday and no dey match fit. Tomás Araújo go join team only on Monday. Richard Ríos, Fredrik Aursnes, Dodi Lukebakio, and Andreas Schjelderup no get return date yet.
For goalkeeper position, Anatoliy Trubin don be main man since 2023, but hin form don drop and plenty clubs dey look am. Samuel Soares start for di last friendly against Estrela da Amadora and dey show say hin fit take di number one spot.
For defense, Clément Lenglet and Samuel Dahl get guaranteed starting places. But António Silva and Alexander Bah no get same security. António Silva refuse to extend hin contract and dey close to join Bournemouth. Alexander Bah dey struggle with injuries. Amar Dedic dey come soon.
Midfield get some clarity. Leandro Barreiro start for di last two friendlies and dey gain confidence from Marco Silva. Hin go hold di position until Richard Ríos and Fredrik Aursnes return. Manu Silva and Enzo Barrenechea dey compete for di other midfield spot. Young Miguel Figueiredo dey impress.
Attack wings dey cause headache. Gianluca Prestianni suspend for St. Gallen match. Andreas Schjelderup and Dodi Lukebakio dey away. Jaden Umeh get serious muscle injury and go miss about three months. Against Flamengo, Rafa Silva play on right wing, but dat no be hin natural position. Georgiy Sudakov prefer central role but fit play wide. Summer signing Jakub Kaminski almost sure to start because of di many absences.
For striker, Franjo Ivanovic finish last season as starter under José Mourinho. But Vangelis Pavlidis dey impress Marco Silva more, especially after scoring penalty against Flamengo. Rumours still link Pavlidis to Besiktas.
