Benfica pre-season 2010
Even though it has been a few weeks, I’d like to send out my best wishes to Angel Di Maria on his move to Real Madrid. I know he’ll do for them what he did for Benfica and I hope that he finds success there.
Pre-season has started for those not picked for the world cup, having had three pre-season matches already. New signings Franco Jara, Nicolas Gaitan, and Roberto Jimenez have started or at least played in all three, showing the quality the possess. Benfica have also acquired Jan Oblak from Olimpija Ljubljana, adding to Fabio Fara who joined the squad officially in May.
Also sold was Quim, who joined his first team Braga. Unfortunately Quim suffered and Achilles injury a few days into training and will be out for up to 6 months. I can only hope that he recovers quickly and swiftly and can get back to saving goals.
Many of the reserve players have been sent on loan, Roderick and Nelso Oliveira both at Rio Ave, Miguel Vitor at Leicester City, Ruben Lima has continued on at Vitoria Setubal, Miguel Rosa, Leandro Pimenta, Joao Pereira, and several others are all at CD Fatima, David Simao at Pacos de Ferreira, Urreta has gone to Deportivo La Coruna, and Eder Luis has gone on loan to Vasco da Gama. I’m not sure if any other loans will be sorted out before the start of the season or not. I’m sure it all depends if there are any more signings/players being sold as well has how players do. I know there was talk of Felipe Menezes going on loan and that very well may happen but so far he’s had a positive showing in pre-season so only Jorge Jesus will know what he’s going to do.
The first game was against FC Monthey, goals coming from Felipe Menezes (P), Weldon, and Javier Saviola. It also allowed many of the new transfers to start and seeing second half substitutions from the likes of Aimar, Nuno Gomes, and Carlos Martins.
The second pre-season game was agasint FC Scion, the only goal for Benfica being scored by Pablo Aimar. It would end in defeat, 2-1, and many fans questioned the team but of course it is only a pre-season game, there is still plenty of time for the team to band together and get the wins. Coming off of defeat the team played against Aris, winning 4-1. Goals from Alan Kardec, Javier Saviola, Pablo Aimar, and Franco Jara sealed the second pre-season win for the team.
Ruben Amorim is officically back, having overcome the injury sustained during the WC. While the squad isn’t back to being full with the internationals out on vacation still, it is without injuries. The latest pre-season game in on now, with Ruben acting as captain. I’m sure I’ll write another post once the game finishes. Good luck to the boys and a special congratulations to Fabio Coentrao and Nuno Gomes on their brand new babies.
