Benfica News January 21

Above is today's cover of "A Bola"- "Camacho's criticism shakes up the locker room"
According to "A Bola" players are surprised by Camacho's words.
If you recall, it was the second time that Camacho has publicly criticized the players after a bad performance. In his last statement, right after the Feirense game, Camacho criticized the players for not carrying what is done on the practice field on the the game, in the way of ball pressure and better ball management.

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Camacho has also mentioned how the team seemed to have suffered a mental breakdown after they were eliminated from the Champions League. Despite the lead to Porto being 11 points the team needs to find a way to keep playing. The truth is that Benfica has not put in a good performance for a while now. I can understand the players not carrying what they practice on the practice pitch on to the game, but the one thing i don't understand is the mental aspect. As a coach it is your duty to motivate the players and to mentally prepare them for each game. If the motivation is not there, then Camacho is obviously doing something wrong, which leads me to believe he is losing control of the team.
On other News:

Cardozo, picked up a yellow card during saturday's game for giving his jersey to a fan. Apparently when Cardozo went out for his warm-up, a fan asked for his jersey. Cardozo, told the fan that if he went into the game and scored, he would give the fan his jersey, the Benfica equipment manager was not ready for this and was forced to run down to the locker room to grab another "7" jersey for Cardozo, who had to wait on the sidelines until he had a new jersey.

Sepsi is now fully integrated with the squad, and currently his training regiment is the same as the team's.

Rafik Halliche will be arriving in Lisbon this thursday/friday, to go through medical tests and to sign a contract with Benfica. The 21 year old Argelian promise, is hoping he can integrate the squad, although Camacho did not ask for a center back. The player's most probable destiny will most likely be a loan.

Petit will most likely miss the upcoming Guimaraes game, as he continues to recuperate from a micro muscle tear. Benfica is using all the precautions in relation to Petit's injury, as they would like for Petit to make a full recuperation before he plays again, in order to avoid a re-injury.

Rodriguez's recuperation is in its last stages and the Uruguyan will most likely integrate team training this tuesday.

Leo doesn't see like he will be ready to go this weekend, as he is currently suffering from a back injury an injury that has plagued the Brazilian over the years.

This week is a crucial week for Benfica as far as new signings go, Luis Felipe Vieira hopes to sign both a forward and a right winger this week.