Benfica Faces Estrela in Portugal Amid Squad Updates and Contract Talks

Benfica enters a crucial Portuguese league encounter against Estrela at Estádio José Gomes, seeking a victory to maintain pressure at the top of the standings. Entering the match in second place with 25 points, Benfica holds a significant advantage over a struggling Estrela side that sits 12th in the table with 10 points after suffering four defeats in their last five outings.

Manager Marco Silva expressed confidence ahead of the fixture despite acknowledging the difficulties of playing at Reboleira. Speaking to reporters at the adidas Benfica Campus, Silva noted that the team faces a demanding schedule following recent matches against Alverca and Lech Poznan, but stressed that the primary objective remains securing all three points.

Ahead of kickoff, Benfica received a late blow as midfielder Fredrik Aursnes was ruled out due to a right thigh muscle injury, leaving him out of the matchday squad. Silva made several changes to the starting lineup, keeping only Tomás Araújo, Echeverri, Sudakov, and Rafa Silva from the team that defeated Lech Poznan earlier in the week.

In addition to on-field preparations, Silva addressed ongoing speculation regarding forward Gianluca Prestianni. Amid reports linking the Argentine player with European clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, the manager assured supporters that the club is actively negotiating a contract extension. Prestianni is currently under contract with Benfica until 2029.

"The fans have to be and must be relaxed. We are in a renewal process with the player, as we are with other athletes in our group," Silva stated during his pre-match press conference, highlighting the forward's consistent performances and positive development since arriving from Vélez Sarsfield in 2023.

Silva also touched on tactical choices within his squad, discussing the ongoing competition between goalkeepers Samuel Soares, who has featured regularly in the league, and Anatoliy Trubin, who recently delivered a strong performance in European competition. Furthermore, the coach welcomed the return of defender Lenglet to the squad and noted Alessandro Circati's progress in competing for a regular starting spot.

With the league season progressing rapidly, Benfica aims to capitalize on its recent momentum and close the gap on the league leaders, while Estrela hopes to reverse its current slump and secure a much-needed result on home turf.