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.

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Market's Open

The January transfer window has opened. So far there hasn't been much coming out of Benfica, with the exception of the clubs directive publicly announcing that there is no interest from Benfica in Marseille's M'bami or Belenenses' left back Rodrigo Alvim.

I'm sure that in the coming days there will be some news, not to mention media speculation.

The deadline for Gremio has passed and Gremio await an answer from Benfica on the 3.5mm + Jhonatan offer for Diego Souza. Santos seems to also be interested in the player. Santo's deal would also involve a player as 4mm is a sum that is very high by Brazilian standards.

In today's German daily, Bild there is a report that Butt might be headed to Borussia Dortmund. Borussia's number one keeper is out for the season with a serious injury and the German club has been looking for another goalie. Arsenal's Lehman is the preferred choice but Dortmund can turn to Butt if Lehman falls through.

Lehman lost his starting job to Almunia this year and has expressed his desire to play more in order to earn a national team call up for this summer's Euro. Arsenal is willing to let go of the 38 year old for the right price and Dortmund seems to be interested. However Butt would certainly be cheaper for Dortmund. For Benfica it would be ideal, not only would Benfica reduce their payroll(it is rumored that Butt is the best paid goalie on the roster), but they would also solve the Moreira "problem".

Miguelito was officially introduced as a Braga player today, thus confirming the transfer.

The Cesar Delgado Saga continues. After Lyon's denial of having made an offer and of having reached any agreement with Cruz Azul, Cruz Azul is now investigating the possible involvement of a third party in the negotiations which might have given Cruz Azul the impression that it was a done deal, even anouncing it on their site. - for you conspiracy theorists Pinto da Costa is behind it.

Here are some of the players that have been rumoured to be Benfica targets, I say rumoured because none of them have been confirmed by the club

Soldado

Fred

Gilberto

Ruben Amorim

Arouca

Felix Katongo

Omar Bravo

Nicolae Dica

Bustos

Wagner

Zampagna
Baptista

I'm sure i'm missing a few others.

On other news, Benfica has authorized Leo to travel to Brazil this Sunday, following the Setubal game. Leo's father will be undergoing heart surgery this wednesday and the player has manifested the desire to be with his father following his surgery.

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