We really needed it: Benfica prospect delighted with return | OneFootball

Benfica B began preparations for the 2026/27 season this Monday. The team coached by Nélson Veríssimo, which finished the last edition of Liga Portugal 2 in 10th place, reported to Benfica Campus in Seixal with a group of 25 players. On the first day of work, the players underwent the usual medical exams and fitness assessments. According to Benfica, the programme will be repeated on Tuesday morning, before the first training session on the pitch, scheduled for 4:30 pm.

The squad currently consists of three goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders and six forwards. The only absentee is Federico Coletta, who is on duty with the Italian national team at the Under-19 European Championship and will only join the squad at a later stage.

Nélson Veríssimo thus begins his sixth consecutive season in charge of the B team, continuing the project of developing Benfica's young talents. Among the players present at the start of pre-season, Eduardo Fernandes was chosen to speak on behalf of the group. The 19-year-old winger said he was happy to be back at work.

"It’s always good. We’re all together again, seeing each other again, getting back into the routine, which we really miss, especially me. Now it’s time to get back to work, refocus and prepare for the season", he said in comments to BTV. Last season, Eduardo Fernandes split his time between Benfica B, the under-23s and the under-19s, making a total of 27 official appearances as he continued his development in Benfica’s youth system.

During pre-season, Benfica B will face eight warm-up matches, which will serve to fine-tune processes and assess the squad before the start of official competition. The first test is scheduled for Saturday, 11 July, against Sintrense, a team that competes in the Campeonato de Portugal, in a match that will be played at Benfica Campus.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.