Marco Silva era begins at Benfica with big calls before Europa League push | OneFootball

Marco Silva’s Benfica tenure begins on Thursday, with a sizeable pre-season intake to assess and a Europa League qualifier already shaping the agenda.

According to Glorioso 1904, the squad return to training on Thursday, 25 June. Their first official fixture is on 23 July against FC St. Gallen in Switzerland, in the second qualifying round for a place in the UEFA Europa League league phase.

Silva is set to run the rule over more than 30 players, including Ivanovic, with several academy products involved such as Miguel Figueiredo and Anísio Cabral.

Several squad members remain on international duty at the 2026 World Cup, namely Tomás Araújo, Alexander Bah, Fredrik Aursnes, Richard Ríos, Andreas Schjelderup and Dodi Lukebakio. It is expected that not all will report on day one at Seixal.

The opening sessions will offer extensive options across all units of the team. The club are entering a period of intensive internal assessment to refine the squad, with a return to the Europa League league phase an immediate priority that could also have a positive financial impact.

Source: Glorioso 1904