Benfica open Liga Portugal behind closed doors against returning Académico de Viseu

Behind closed doors

Benfica will open their 93rd national championship campaign on Sunday, 9 August, at 20:30, hosting Académico de Viseu at the Estádio da Luz in a match played behind closed doors. The sanction, imposed by the Authority for the Prevention and Combat of Violence in Sport (APCVD) and confirmed by the Tribunal da Relação in early July, stems from the use of pyrotechnic devices by supporters in five matches during the 2022/23 season. Marco Silva, Benfica's coach, was openly critical of the punishment, arguing that removing supporters from stadiums does not address the underlying problems.

If we think we solve problems by removing 65,000 people from a football stadium, we are completely mistaken.

The Portuguese coach added that it "only makes sense to play football if there are fans" and pointed to examples across Europe of alternative approaches to tackling fan-related issues. For Académico de Viseu, the absence of supporters means a muted return to the top flight after 37 years, a moment their coach Bruno Pinheiro acknowledged could "balance the scales a bit more" between the two sides. The match will be the first meeting between the clubs since 1989, with referee David Rafael Silva of the AF Porto appointed.

Opponents and tactical outlook

Académico de Viseu, promoted under Sérgio Fonseca but now led by Bruno Pinheiro, who arrived from Belgian side Eupen, will make his official debut at the Luz. The Viseu side is expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation with a medium-low defensive block, possibly featuring a back five. Marco Silva described the opponent as organised and capable of varying tactical behaviour during matches, noting that Bruno Pinheiro's teams play with identity and a clear idea with the ball.

Benfica's tactical plan will focus on patience and width, with the left winger stationed close to the touchline and Rafa Silva operating in the right corridor with inward movements. The central defenders will be tasked with linking play to the wingers. Clément Lenglet, one of several new arrivals alongside Jakub Kaminski, Jhon Durán and Gabriel Índio, will assume the leadership role in a rebuilt defence that lost both former captains, Nicolás Otamendi and António Silva, during the summer. Otamendi departed for River Plate, while António Silva also left the club.

Goalkeeper situation and captaincy

Samuel Soares started in the 6-1 Europa League qualifying win over Hearts on Thursday, relegating Anatoliy Trubin, the habitual starter for the past three seasons, to the bench. Marco Silva called the decision "technical" and denied any discomfort from the 25-year-old Ukrainian.

I don't see any discomfort in Trubin. He comes to train every day with the seriousness he has to put in.

The coach did not confirm who will start against Académico and insisted the decision has nothing to do with the transfer market. He also revealed the new captain hierarchy: Fredrik Aursnes as first captain, followed by Tomás Araújo, Samuel Soares, Clément Lenglet and Leandro Barreiro. Aursnes, entering his fifth season at the club, succeeds Otamendi. Soares's inclusion at third in the hierarchy, ahead of Lenglet and Barreiro, was a notable detail given his recent promotion to the starting lineup.

Title race and transfer window

Marco Silva framed the title race as a four-team contest involving three traditional candidates plus SC Braga, and acknowledged that Benfica have not been champions for three years. He stressed defensive solidity, noting that 12 goals in four games reflect attacking strength but that titles require keeping clean sheets. On the transfer market, he left open the possibility of Ivanovic departing and mentioned that the window could bring arrivals and departures through the end of August. He was also asked about João Palhinha of Bayern Munich but declined to name individual targets, saying only that "while the market is open, ins and outs can happen." Anísio has been added to the striker options, and Silva raised the possibility of playing with two forwards given the characteristics of Pavlidis.