Grimaldo in full swing

It is the best season of Grimaldo at Benfica. At a time when there are nine rounds left in the Liga NOS, the Spanish left-back has already amassed three goal assists – as many as in 2016/17 – and more 421 minutes played than in the last season. Last Saturday he scored against Marítimo (watch the video).

In a 2016/17 season in which he played 1253 minutes in the Liga NOS, in a total of 14 matches, Grimaldo scored his first goal on October 2, in a home match against Feirense (4-0). In the free kick conversion, the Spanish full-back transferred in the Winter market of the 2015/16 season gave Peçanha no chance and sealed (90’+4') a rout that allowed the reds to reinforce the top spot of the Liga NOS at the time.

After 7 rounds, the defender signed from Barcelona had already one goal scored and two assists… The first in the trip to Arouca (1-2) – when he made a perfect cross for Lisandro López's goal (51’) – and the second in the visit to Chaves (0-2) – a free kick for a subtle header from the Greek Kostas Mitroglou (69’). 

Until the end of the season, he would play 7 more matches, would score one more goal – at 65’, in Restelo, where Benfica beat Belenenses by 0-2 – and would make another assist. In the home match against (2-1), the Spaniard assisted Jonas for the second goal of the evening (66’). The season culminated with the winning of the historical and unprecedented fourth consecutive league title…

In 2017/18 he has been giving impetus to the good performances and this is already the best season of the Spanish left-back, who won a spot in Rui Vitória's starting XI. More minutes, as many assists as in 2016/17 (3) and a goal scored, at a moment when there are still nine rounds left in the competition.

But let us go to the facts. Almost a year and a half later, the contender for the Spain Senior National team scored again. In the home match against Marítimo (5-0) – on March 3 –, Grimaldo received the ball from Zivkovic and, in front of Charles, scored with his left foot (22’).

He scored a goal in this Liga NOS and has already made three assists… He was a starter in the 19 round he could represent the team (totaling 1674 minutes).

In the trip to Madeira – that finished with a 1-all draw against Marítimo, in round 8 – the number 3 of Benfica assisted Jonas for the only goal of the reds in the match (2’).

In Gameweek 17, in the visit to Tondela (1-5), Grimaldo worked again for the goal... Twice! First, Pizzi found the Spaniard, who assisted Salvio for the second goal of Benfica (26’); and, at 60’, the number 3 assisted Jonas for the one that would be the 17th goal of the Brazilian forward in the competition.

Text: Filipa Fernandes Garcia

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica