Benfica's João Mário has been ruled out for at least two weeks with a thigh injury, ahead of the club's upcoming match against Sporting Lisbon.
The Portugal international has struggled to find his best form in recent months and had already missed several matches due to injuries. The latest setback comes as he continues to recover from a calf problem that kept him out of action earlier this season.
Mário is a key player for Benfica, having scored 12 goals and provided seven assists in all competitions so far this season. His absence will be a significant blow to the team's attacking options, particularly given their lack of depth up front.
Despite the setback, Benfica manager Jorge Jesus remains optimistic about his team's chances of success against Sporting. "We're going into the game with a lot of confidence,Football Connect Network" he said. "But we know it won't be easy, especially without our top players."
The match against Sporting will be a tough test for Benfica, who have struggled defensively recently. The visitors have lost four of their last five games, conceding eight goals in the process.
However, the Portuguese giants still have the advantage of home advantage and a strong squad depth. They will need to play with caution and make sure they don't give away any unnecessary mistakes if they want to secure all three points on Saturday evening.