On Saturday evening, reigning Primeira Liga champions Benfica will entertain Hull City at the Algarve Stadium, Faro, as both teams prepare for a tough season ahead.
Benfica have sold keeper Ederson (Manchester City), centre-back Victor Lindelöf (Manchester United), left-back Marçal (Olympique Lyon, France), attacking midfield Hany Mukhtar (Bröndby IF, Denmark) and right-midfield Daniel Candeias (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland).
Now highly-rated full-back Nélson Semedo has joined FC Barcelona for €30 million bringing Benfica’s income from transfer fees to some €110 million.
New arrivals at the Stadium of Light are Croatian midfielder Filip Krovinovic from Rio Ave for €3 million, full-back Pedro Rebocho (Moreirense) for €150,000 plus three free transfers: centre-forward Haris Seferovic (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), winger Chris Willock (Arsenal, England) and Brazilian right-back Patrick (CS Marítimo, Madeira).
Hull City, relegated from the Premier League in May, were managed by former Estoril player Marco Silva before he resigned and was replaced by Leonid Slutsky. The Russian coach will be hoping to improve on their 2-1 defeat against Oxford United at the Estádio da Nora in Albufeira last week. Leonid Slutsky was in charge of the Russian national team that beat Portugal 1-0 in a friendly game two years ago.
Tickets for the game on Saturday, which kicks-off at 8.30pm, are priced at €10 and €15 (children U12 pay €5), and can be purchased on the day of the game.
By CHRIS WRIGHT
