Benfica signing shines, but gets injured; lay-off still unclear | OneFootball

Benfica B got off to a flying start in the 2026/27 Segunda Liga by beating Leixões 1-0 in a match closely watched by Marco Silva, who was in the stands at Pitch No. 1 of the Benfica Campus. The win was marked by Francisco Neto’s goal as early as the sixth minute, but also by several individual performances that could catch the first team’s attention.

The biggest concern, however, came even before half-time. Gabriel Índio, a signing for this season and one of the standout names in the starting eleven, was forced to leave the pitch after a fall that caused pain in his left arm. The 18-year-old centre-back tried to change direction near the touchline, lost his balance and fell, and finished the match with his arm in a sling. Rui Silva came on for him at the start of the second half, and it remains to be seen how long the young Brazilian defender will be sidelined.

Despite the setback, Nélson Veríssimo’s side managed to hold on to the early lead. Tiago Freitas impressed in linking the different areas of the team, and Francisco Neto responded with a low, accurate and powerful shot that beat Stefanovic. At the other end, Leixões reacted and created danger, even hitting the post from a direct free-kick by José Bica, but they were unable to find the net.

Diogo Ferreira was the standout performer. The 19-year-old goalkeeper was crucial in preserving the narrow lead, especially in the 59th minute, when he denied Cláudio Araújo with a save that stopped what looked like a certain goal. The stop ended up being one of the images of the afternoon and confirmed the positive signs shown by the young keeper, who is emerging as competition for Anatoliy Trubin - who could be loaned out - and Samuel Soares.

In the closing stages, Leixões took control of the game and kept up the pressure, but the Eagles held firm until the final whistle. The result allows Benfica B to begin the season with three points against one of the teams considered strongest in Liga 2. For Marco Silva, however, Gabriel Índio’s situation now deserves special attention, at a time when António Silva’s replacement in the centre of the first team’s defence has yet to be announced.

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