Marco Silva used his pre-match briefing to underline both the challenge and the opportunity facing Benfica as they prepare for Santa Clara Vs Benfica in the 9ª jornada da Liga Betclic on Monday at 18h45. The coach made it clear that selection will be shaped not only by form, but by how best to get the most out of his attacking options without losing control of the game.
That balance is the central issue. Benfica have shown enough in recent matches to suggest there is promise in the way the side is functioning, but Silva’s comments also made clear that he is still looking for the right combination in the final third and the right protection behind it.
Silva keeps some details back
When asked about his thinking, Silva admitted that he would not reveal everything. “Há coisas que tenho que guardar para nós porque é importante,” he said, a reminder that there is still some room for uncertainty around the starting XI.
That is not unusual at this stage of the season, but it does add intrigue to a game that arrives with Benfica trying to keep momentum in the league. The coach’s remarks suggest that training ground decisions, rather than public debate, will decide how he lines up at the Estádio da Luz.
Prestianni’s form creates a selection puzzle
Silva was more open when discussing Prestianni, and the message was clear. “Há a questão clara, que tem a ver com o rendimento do Prestianni à esquerda que tem sido fenomenal,” he said. It was a strong endorsement of the player’s work on the left side and a sign that his current level is making life difficult for the coach in terms of team selection.
He also made it clear that he wants the best possible version of the team, rather than simply fitting names onto the sheet. “Quero muito que os dois estejam no onze, mas quero tirar o melhor rendimento dos dois,” Silva said. That line captures the challenge neatly: Benfica have players who can influence the match, but the job is to make sure their roles work together rather than in isolation.
Defensive balance still matters
Silva’s broader comments about recent performances showed that he is still judging Benfica on more than attack alone. He referred back to the Omonia match and said, “Eu posso dizer-vos que fiquei muito satisfeito com o nosso resultado fora de casa com o Omonia, mas fiquei furioso com o golo que sofremos naquele jogo, posso dizer isso claramente.”
That is a useful insight into how he views the team. A positive result away from home is not enough if the defensive detail is not right, and that same standard will apply again against Santa Clara. Benfica may have the quality to control the ball and create chances, but Silva’s remarks show that he wants the side to be more complete than that.
He also pointed to earlier matches against Vitória, Celtic and Omonia while explaining his selection thinking, which suggests the current discussion is not just about one fixture. It is about how Benfica manage their attacking options, preserve their structure and keep improving from game to game.
So the picture ahead of Monday is straightforward enough. Benfica go into Santa Clara Vs Benfica with the coach clearly pleased by some individual performances, especially Prestianni’s, but still demanding more in terms of balance and defensive discipline. The line-up may only be known close to kick-off, but Silva has already made the key point: he wants the best version of his team, not just the most obvious one.
