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Benfica hit with triple blow

Aimar and Leo out injured; Luisao suspended

Benfica were hit with bad news on Tuesday as the club found out that they will be without Pablo Aimar, Leo and Luisao for at least their next two fixtures. Aimar and Leo have suffered knocks while their Brazilian stopper is out due to suspension.

Aimar is set to sit out a minimum of three to four weeks due to a ruptured muscle in his right thigh. The classy playmaker was substituted early in the second half of the 1-1 draw against FC Porto this past weekend.

It was originally thought that the Argentine would be out for longer, but the club’s medical staff have ascertained that a better idea of when he can return to action will be made upon his next observation which will occur in the next 10-12 days.

The layoff means the midfielder is forced to sit out Benfica’s Uefa Cup fixture against Napoli on the 18th and their domestic tussle against Pacos de Ferreira three days later. Benfica are hoping that the international break will help Aimar’s recovery.

Also on the mend is left-back Leo. The diminutive Brazilian also suffered a thigh injury, but his is less serious than that of his team-mate’s. The full back suffered a thigh strain and looks to be out for a couple of weeks and may also miss the team’s opening Uefa Cup fixture.

Luisao in hot water

Lastly, Luisao may be forced to miss a couple of upcoming domestic matches as the player was slapped with a two-match suspension by the League’s Disciplinary Commission.

The organisation announced it would punish the central defender for elbowing FC Porto’s Sapunaru early on in the tilt between Benfica and FC Porto this past Saturday.

The infraction went unnoticed by the match officials, but the regulatory body spotted the incident on TV replays and felt it necessary to punish the player as they deemed the action “intolerable in the light of the accepted rules and demands of fair play.”

Benfica are to appeal against the suspension handed out to the central defender.