Marco Silva has Benfica XI for FC Porto, Bah fitness remains the doubt | OneFootball

Marco Silva has largely settled on Benfica’s line-up for the clássico at Estádio do Dragão, with Alexander Bah’s condition the main uncertainty.

According to Glorioso 1904, the Benfica coach had the Porto trip in mind even before the win in Milan, shaping his European selections to keep the side physically primed and ready to target the hosts’ weaknesses.

In attack he is likely to select Rafa, Prestianni, Schjelderup and Pavlidis, who have carried significant influence in recent outings.

Bah has recovered from trauma to his right shoulder and is training without restrictions, but he did not travel to Italy. He is in contention to feature in Porto, though doubts remain over his fitness and whether he starts.

That makes Fredrik Aursnes pivotal. The Norway international has regained fitness and is viewed by Silva as indispensable, with his role still to be decided, either at right-back or in midfield alongside João Palhinha.

If Aursnes drops into defence, Leandro Barreiro should partner Palhinha in the middle. The call hinges on a final assessment of Bah, who is returning after missing matches against Moreirense, Gil Vicente and Milan.

Source: Glorioso 1904

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”