Barreiro and Durán face long absences, Maisfutebol reports

Benfica faces a significant roster crunch heading into Matchday 9 of the Liga season as midfielder Leandro Barreiro and forward Jhon Durán face extended recovery timelines due to separate muscle and knee injuries.

Leandro Barreiro Out Until Late 2026 With Thigh Injury

Leandro Barreiro will miss the remainder of 2026 after suffering a muscular injury to his left thigh, Maisfutebol reported. The initial timeline guarantees at least 12 matches on the sidelines for the Luxembourg international midfielder.

Manager Marco Silva confirmed the severity of the setback, stating that the recovery will extend far beyond a standard one- or two-week absence. The absence forces the technical staff to reconfigure central midfield pairings ahead of Monday’s away fixture against Santa Clara.

Addressing tactical adjustments, Silva noted to Sport TV that Heorhiy Sudakov could transition from his preferred attacking role into a deeper central midfield position. Sudakov, in his career, has played more as a 10 than an 8, Silva explained to Sport TV, acknowledging that the player is comfortable viewing the game from deeper areas despite requiring additional tactical repetitions in training. Young midfielder Tiago Freitas also joins the senior squad to provide additional depth during the crisis.

Jhon Durán Sidelined Until International Break

Jhon Durán joins Barreiro on the injury list as the Colombian forward continues rehabilitation for a right knee trauma. Maisfutebol confirmed that the striker remains out of combat until the upcoming FIFA international break, missing a minimum of five matches.

The forward line must absorb this absence alongside concurrent squad limitations. Benfica enters the upcoming league fixture without Banjaqui and Enzo Barrenechea, both of whom remain sidelined for an anticipated three more weeks with their own physical ailments.

Silva also addressed the physical conditioning of Manu, noting that the player is working back to peak intensity following a severe injury earlier in the campaign that interrupted his integration into the squad.

Silva Chooses Circati and Araújo Based on Recovery Data

Discussing selections at the back, Marco Silva clarified that Circati would play alongside Tomás Araújo, noting that a strong performance in Milan did not directly dictate the choice, which was instead driven by recovery data. The technical team prioritizes getting Tomás Araújo minutes because he accumulated more playing time than Lenglet, who started his season earlier, while ensuring the player operates safely within established limits without taking risks.

Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.