Marco Silva revives Benfica futures for Enzo Barrenechea and Gianluca Prestianni | OneFootball

Marco Silva’s arrival has shifted the outlook for Enzo Barrenechea and Gianluca Prestianni at Benfica, after both had seemed close to leaving.

According to Glorioso 1904, the 2026/27 squad is not yet settled, but the new head coach has handed the pair chances and their responses have prompted a rethink on summer exits.

A delay in signing a new holding midfielder opened a window for Barrenechea. João Palhinha is the priority target, but Bayern Munich’s financial demands have complicated a deal. In the absence of alternatives, Silva has turned to the Argentine, who arrived a year ago on loan from Aston Villa.

He was a substitute in the first leg against St. Gallen, then earned a start in the following game and kept his place versus Hearts and Académico de Viseu. Silva has welcomed his improvement and wants to keep increasing his minutes, noting his distinctive physical profile.

Prestianni had been close to Trabzonspor in a move worth around €20 million. A suspension ruled him out of the St. Gallen matches, yet he convinced the coach in training. With Andreas Schjelderup away after World Cup duty, he started against Hearts and scored.

After the draw with Académico de Viseu, he again stood out. Silva highlighted his threat from the flank, his combinations and timing for runs by Dahl and Sudakov, and said he kept creating on the right, then inside after Schjelderup moved to the left.

Source: Glorioso 1904

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