Half a dozen from the academy in the eleven

SL Benfica traveled on Thursday evening to Coimbra where, against Sertanense, they sealed the presence in the next round of the Portuguese Cup, after a 0-3 win. At the final whistle, there were six players from the Eagles made in Seixal on the pitch: Alfa Semedo, Yuri Ribeiro, Rúben Dias, Gedson, João Félix and Jota!

In the starting XI of the 3rd round of the Portuguese Cup were four players with Seixal's quality seal. The versatile Alfa Semedo and the rock Rúben Dias in the center area of the defense, Yuri Ribeiro on the flank and Gedson in the center of the park.

Rafa (35’) opened the scoring and Gedson, at 53 minutes, with a powerful long-range shot, extended the lead to 0-2. A stunner!

At 67 minutes, Rui Vitória made a change, he brought off Rafa and brought on the gifted João Félix.

The third goal marks Jonas' return to the goals, with Yuri Ribeiro providing the assist. Benfica was in front by 0-3 and, at 77 minutes, a moment to remember!

Jota, who played in all academy squads from the Eagles and precisely 12 years after the day in which he carried out his first training session at Benfica, come on to replace the Brazilian Jonas. It was his debut in the first team of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, in the day he was also named the Best Young Player of the II Division in September.

From that moment until the end of the match (13 minutes), Benfica played with six players from its academy on the pitch. The defender Pedro Amaral and Ferro were also called up, however they were not used.

“We need the match with six players from the academy and they all want to show their value. It was a positive test. An important sign, this is the future. We have raw material. Quality is the first acquirement!”, analyzed Rui Vitória.

Pics: Isabel Cutileiro / SL Benfica