Benfica lose 1-0 to Alverca | OneFootball

Benfica were defeated by Alverca B (1-0) in a friendly match held in Seixal. The game served to give playing time to the Under-23 and junior team players, at a stage when both age groups are continuing their preparations for the 2026/27 season.

The Under-23s played in the first half, while the Under-19s took over in the second half of the match. The team coached by Vítor Vinha took to the field in the opening period, but saw Alverca B score in the 23rd minute, and that result remained unchanged until the final whistle.

After the break, Luís Araújo brought on Benfica’s juniors, who tried to level the score but were unable to avoid defeat in what was another preparation test for the new season. Despite the loss, the match allowed the coaching staff to draw important conclusions in this early stage of their work.

At the end of the match, Tomás Almeida highlighted the importance of the game for the team’s growth: "It was a game that also serves as training. The first game is for improving, for getting to know each other better on the pitch as well. It helps us build better chemistry, and I think it always helps us improve. It was a very demanding, intense week. We were able to rest during the holidays, and now we’re back to work. It was a very difficult week," he said in comments to BTV.

Hugo Gomes, also of Benfica, also highlighted the unity of the group and the ambition for the new season: "It was a good game. The team is very united. We are focused on improving more and more throughout this season. Being better than last season is the main objective. These first few days of work have been about reconnecting, getting to know the staff, and working together again. And by the end of the season, the main goal is to have improved more and more and to challenge for the title," said the young Benfica player.

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