Benfica worried about Prestianni, response stirs club hierarchy | OneFootball

Benfica are enjoying a season start full of standout performers. Marco Silva has been one of the central figures, Vangelis Pavlidis continues to justify his status as a goalscorer, Rafa Silva seems to have been reborn, and Leandro Barreiro is establishing himself as a true workhorse. But there is another name that deserves special mention: Gianluca Prestianni.

In Moreira de Cónegos, the Argentine was decisive once again and was again among the main figures in Benfica’s rout. The numbers help explain the extraordinary form he is in: seven goals and two assists in nine matches, in what is, so far, the best spell of the young winger’s career.

Prestianni’s development has come as a surprise even within Benfica themselves. Despite the confidence in the Argentine’s talent and a strong finish to last season, there were some fears that Nicolás Otamendi’s departure could affect the player. The former captain had a close relationship with the young winger and was one of the most important figures in his development.

In reality, the opposite proved to be true. The Argentine has shown greater maturity and a better ability to handle different moments, in a growth process that gained momentum after the controversy involving the alleged insults directed at Vinícius Júnior in a clash with Real Madrid.

According to the player’s entourage, that episode ultimately served as a learning experience. Prestianni realized he would have to respond on the pitch and show his worth through his performances. At that stage, José Mourinho also played an important role by keeping faith with the youngster despite the heavy criticism surrounding him.

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