Benfica left short at the back
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Article summary
SL Benfica have a defensive crisis after learning that David Luiz will be out of action for up to ten weeks with a foot injury sustained on Portugal duty.
Article body
SL Benfica have a defensive crisis after learning that David Luiz will be out of action for up to ten weeks with a foot injury sustained in training.
Defensive crisis
The extent of the 20-year-old's problem will come as a blow to new Benfica coach José Antonio Camacho. He has been left without three central defenders ahead of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round return against FC København following earlier injuries to Luisão and Marc Zoro.
Key tie
Miguel Vítor, who has just graduated from the youth academy, is the only fit centre-back available and the 18-year-old is likely to be partnered in the middle of the back four by Konstantinos Katsouranis for this weekend's Liga match against Vitória SC. Camacho will be more concerned, though, about the trip to Copenhagen a week today, when Benfica will be defending a 2-1 advantage as they attempt to qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage.