Benfica recently hit a small snag with the rulebook. They asked the Portuguese League for clarity on two key players. My sources at Record tell me the answer is good news. We are talking about Sudakov and Lukebakio. Both players are new additions to the squad. The club wanted to know if they could play in Tuesday’s match against Rio Ave.
The puzzle was this: the original fixture date for the first matchday was August 9 or 10. Both Sudakov and Lukebakio were not registered back then. So, by the book, they shouldn’t be eligible now. It looked like a simple case of timing. But football, like life, often finds a way.
The League took a closer look at the situation. Their view is that this game isn’t a postponed one. Instead, it’s a newly scheduled fixture. This distinction changes everything for eligibility. Because of this interpretation, both players can now feature. We expect the League’s formal decision to come out this Monday.
On the player front, Lukebakio, the Belgian international, is on the comeback trail. He trained with the ball for the first time this Sunday. Despite the positive eligibility news, he might not be an option for José Mourinho just yet. Sudakov, however, has been in good form. He played well recently in Vila das Aves. His availability for the home game against Rio Ave is welcome news for the Eagles’ coach.