Marco Silva Gianluca Prestianni contract renewal Benfica, Digi Mart USA News (Lisbon, Portugal): Benfica coach Marco Silva said on Saturday, November 7, that supporters can remain calm about the future of Argentine forward Gianluca Prestianni. The coach confirmed that the club is negotiating the renewal of the player, who has attracted interest from several European clubs.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match against Estrela da Amadora, held at the adidas Benfica Campus in Seixal, Silva addressed the renewal process for the player, who is currently bound to the club until 2029. “Regarding the fans, they must be and should be at ease.
We are in a renewal process with the player, as we are with other athletes in our group,” the coach said.
Asked about the urgency of resolving the Argentine’s future, amid reports of interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, Silva highlighted the player’s performance. “I understand the question, because Prestianni has had a fantastic start to the season, and we believe even more is to come, because he has maintained that consistency day by day, not only in matches,” he explained.
The coach also stressed that the forward’s form results from his work in training. “The match is ultimately a consequence of what he does daily, which we feel here every day,” he added.
Although he confirmed the negotiations, Silva avoided predicting an agreement or setting a timeline. “I don’t want to be very positive, or too little, I don’t want to give hope here, because I normally don’t like to talk about these topics.
Naturally, the board is handling this, and well, and let us hope there can be news,” he said.
Still, the coach noted that both parties are satisfied and pointed out that the player’s contract does not end in the near future. “The player is satisfied, we are very satisfied, and naturally, if we have to do it, we will do it.
But it is a player who, as you know, has a contract here that is not as short as it seems right now,” he said.
Prestianni joined Benfica in 2023 from Vélez Sarsfield and has a contract until 2029 with a release clause of 100 million euros. The Argentine has scored 11 goals in 19 appearances this season.
Silva anticipated a difficult match against Estrela da Amadora, coached by Pepa, despite the team’s less positive recent results. “Difficult match, on a pitch that is traditionally also difficult to play on, against a very well-organized team, a team that is hard-fought in the way it plays, both with and without the ball,” he said.
He praised the opponent’s organization and warned against judging Estrela da Amadora solely on its most recent results.
Silva also acknowledged the accumulated fatigue in the squad, which has played three matches in one week, including games against Alverca and Lech Poznan. “We try not to overload some players.
Within the positions, we manage to do that, and we have been doing it in the way that has been possible,” he explained. The aim, he said, is to take three more points in the league.
The coach also confirmed the return of Lenglet to the squad list. The Estrela da Amadora-Benfica match is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, at 8:30 p.m.
at José Gomes Stadium in Reboleira, closing the 11th round of the Primeira Liga for both teams.
Silva also commented on the arrival of Paulo Fonseca at Sporting, saying he welcomed his former teammate at Belenenses to Portuguese football despite now representing a direct rival. “He is at a rival, a great rival of ours, but welcome to Portuguese football.
A coach with great experience and great maturity,” he said.
On the team’s defensive performance, Silva said the squad wants to keep clean sheets more often, noting the team has kept a clean sheet in only two of its last seven matches. He defended goalkeeper Samuel Soares as the current first choice in the league while praising Anatoliy Trubin’s recent performances in the Europa League.
“Right now, Samu has been playing. We decided to start with Samu.
If I have to make different decisions, I will make them,” he said.
Silva also said Alessandro Circati is progressing well and is on equal footing with Lenglet and Tomás Araújo in the competition for a starting place.
