Marco Silva ‘to prioritise’ Benfica pre-season schedule as 23 July opener nears | OneFootball

Marco Silva is already shaping Benfica’s 2026/27 plans despite not yet being officially unveiled, with pre-season scheduling among his immediate tasks.

Record reports that he wants to lock in friendly dates quickly, with the first official fixture set for 23 July, and is seeking opponents who sharpen competitive readiness.

Pre-season begins on 25 June at Benfica Campus, where Silva intends to assess every player at his disposal. He has recently met Mário Branco and Patrick Dippel to gather detailed information on squad options.

The former Fulham manager aims to evaluate internal resources before moving decisively in the market. Defensive reinforcements at centre-back are among the early priorities. A friendly with Santos remains under consideration.

Silva arrives at Luz intent on installing a rigorous, organised structure. After five seasons in the Premier League, he believes he returns to Portugal more experienced and better prepared, seeking to avoid the planning issues that coloured the end of his time in England.

Source: Glorioso 1904