Benfica are almost certain to be without skipper Luisão for Wednesday’s match with Celtic.
The transfers of Javi Garcia and Axel Witsel in the last three weeks has created a large hole in the middle of the park with the likely loss of Luisão certain to cause coach Jesus Jorge defensive problems with his team selection.
On Friday the 31-year-old Brazilian was hit with a two month ban by the Portugeuese FA after a sending off against Fortuna Dusseldorf in a friendly match. While the ban only effects domestic matches the FPF, Portugeuse Federation, have contacted FIFA who are likely to apply the ban internationally.
If that happens Benfica will have a new look central defence as well as midfield for the visit to Celtic.
“I was surprised, I didn’t act in an aggressive manner,” Luisao claimed after the match.”
“The referee was about to send off Javi Garcia. As captain, I approached him. I don’t know if I maybe pushed him a bit, but I think he play-acted.”
Wednesdays Champions League clash will be Bebfica’s first match in over a fortnight with no weekend card due to the Portugeuse Cup taking place this weekend.
After three league matches the Lisbon giants are at the top of the table with seven points from three matches, two wins over Vitoria Setubal and Nacional following a 2-2 draw at Braga on the opening day of the season.
While Celtic face Benfica Aiden McGeady will return to the Nou Camp with Spartak Moscow.
McGeady opened the scoring in Spartak’s 2-2 draw away to Kuban’ Krasnodar which leaves Spartak sitting in seventh place in the table with 13 points from 8 matches.
Barcelona extended their 100% record to four matches with a 4-1 win away to Getafe with Lionel Messi ‘only’ scoring two of the visitors’ goals.
Barca are already eight points clear of Real Madrid with Jose Mourinho far from happy with the defending champions after last night’s 1-0 loss at Seville.
CLICK HERE for Samaras quotes come back to haunt Celtic
Follow Video Celts on Twitter and Facebook
Looking forward to the Benfica match with pessamistic trepadation. I hope I’m wrong but judging from the way we played on Saturday afternoon, I think Benfica reserves are probably good enough to turn us over. Our players can’t hold on to the ball, can’t pass accurately and there is no cohesive shape to the team. I suspect our bad coaching is to blame. I’ve seen better Sunday league games.