Benfica host Gil Vicente in Portuguese league clash
On Sunday, 13 September, Benfica welcome Gil Vicente to the Estádio da Luz in Portugal's Primeira Liga, with the home side aiming to extend a strong run despite an injury absence.
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The match
On Sunday, 13 September, Benfica host Gil Vicente at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, in a Primeira Liga fixture described by different sources as either matchday 5 or matchday 6. Kick-off is set for around 18:00 local time (Correio do Minho; Terra gives 14:00 Brasília time, which corresponds to the same moment).
Standings and form
Going into the game, Benfica sit second in the table with 13 points, according to Terra, having recently won away at Marítimo (3-0) and Moreirense (4-0). Gil Vicente are seventh with seven points after a surprise 0-1 home defeat to Académico de Viseu, despite firing 33 shots and, as Correio do Minho notes, entering the opposition box 47 times. Historically Benfica dominate the fixture: of 55 meetings, Benfica have won 42, six have gone to Gil Vicente, and seven ended in draws.
Team news
Benfica right-back Alexander Bah remains unavailable after injuring his arm against Marítimo and missing the Moreirense game; Daniel Banjaqui deputizes, as confirmed by both A Bola and Correio da Manhã. According to A Bola, midfielder Enzo Barrenechea returns to the starting eleven two matchdays after leaving the Estoril game with a physical complaint, replacing João Palhinha, while Schjelderup and Prestianni — both scorers last time out — continue up front. Notably, an earlier Terra preview had listed António Silva and Otamendi as the central defensive pair, whereas A Bola's confirmed lineup instead names Tomás Araújo and Lenglet. For Gil Vicente, Diogo Prioste — on loan from Benfica — is barred from facing his parent club under his loan terms; Danish defender Andreas Lausen deputizes, since intended backup Facundo Cáseres has since been loaned to Mexico's Santos Laguna.
Coaches' comments
Benfica coach Marco Silva said before the game that his side "still has a lot to improve," while expressing satisfaction with recent performances and describing Gil Vicente as a quality opponent that exploits wide areas well. He also stressed that Palhinha's signing was a club decision, not solely his own. Gil Vicente's Luís Pinto called the trip to Lisbon "a great test" against a team whose collective strength "is worth much more than its individual quality," adding that his side will need to defend "with concentration and patience." The match will be refereed by João Gonçalves of the Porto football association.
