SL Benfica had a pretty uneventful pre-season thus far with the only issues being with defenders Nelson and Anderson.  Nelson arrived late for practice last week and was scratched from traveling with the team to Romania for the first friendly match of the season.  The situation however has been dealt with internally and Nelson has resumed practicing with the rest of the team.    The same can not be said of Anderson, who refused to travel with the team to Romania alleging health issues with his son,  and has been bared for good from the team.  This situation was the boiling point for Benfica after he spent most of the off-season bitching that he was not playing in the positing he liked the most, and that he would rather leave than go to the bench.  Anderson´s agent, Giuliano Bertolucci, has arrived in Lisbon and is expected to meet with SL Benfica officials to try to solve Anderson´s problems.  It is expected that Anderson head back to Brazil after a two year stint in Europe.   The most likely destination for Anderson is Cruzeiro de Belo Horizonte, be it as a loan or a permanent sale of the player.  I am sure Benfica wants this situation taken care of, but not without some sort of financial compensation, unfortunately Brazilian teams are not that cash rich and Anderson is in no way interested in going to Turkey.

On a final note, Moreira is having a rough couple of years.  After having missed more than half the season two years ago, the player is again going to be on the disabled list for an extended, but as of yet undetermined period of time.  After having injured his right knee two years ago, the young Benfica goalie will be having surgery on his left knee.  Moreira is a fan favorite and everyone wishes him luck and a quick recovery.