Spanish striker sidelined with a knock
Benfica’s in-form youngster http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rodrigo-c31437 is reportedly facing a losing battle in order to be fit for the club’s Primeira Liga tie with Academica.
The former Real Madrid man has been one of the season’s revelations and has been prolific to say the least. Having netted 14 times in only 21 appearances for the Eagles, he has often been selected ahead of Paraguayan star http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oscar-c28720 Cardozo.
However manager http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jorge-c19120 Jesus will allegedly be without his goal poaching services at Estádio Cidade de Coimbra on the 25th of February.
The tactician is already facing a selection headache following Luisao’s suspension and with Javi Garcia also needing a late fitness test, there could be an under strength tone to the Benfica line-up come match day.
With Rodrigo almost certainly out with a knock that he picked up in training, Cardozo is likely to be fielded as the sole forward, with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pablo-Aimar-c28938, Nicolas Gaitan and Nolito forming the creative force behind him.
Depending Javi Garcia’s fitness, either he or his probable replacement http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jardel-c17889.
American International out with knee damage
Sporting Lisbon’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oguchi-Onyewu-c28332 is set to undergo surgery in order repair the damage on his right knee.
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ferreira-c13712 and reports have now confirmed that he will miss nearly all of the remaining season.
Onyewu, who was signed from Italian giants AC Milan this summer, has developed into a first choice centre-back for the Lisbon giants and has shown his predatory instincts with a couple of well taken goals for his new employers.
His absence could condemn the Sportinguistas to a 5th place finish, effectively ruling them out of a UEFA Europa League spot despite their massive spending spree in the transfer window.
The club’s defensive crisis has left the backline in shambles with a plethora of players including http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Carriço-c9926 as the available defenders ready to be picked.
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