Real Madrid are reportedly ready to buy out Jose Mourinho from his contract with Benfica. – And even though “The Special One” has got the Norwegian left winger as a favorite, there is nothing concrete about him joining the move.
It was about Champions League play tonight and despite Andreas Schjelderup’s big play and assist, it didn’t help, the Champions League slipped on the finish line.
Read: Manchester United get rid of Rasmus Hojlund – and lose 44 million euros
Andreas Schjelderup delivered a beautiful assist as Benfica ended the season with a win.
The Norwegian talent recorded an assist on the first goal of the game as Benfica beat Estoril 3-1 in the last league round. Still, the end was a huge disappointment: Benfica will not be able to play in the Champions League next season.
To capture the coveted second place, Benfica were completely dependent on city rival Sporting Lisbon stumbling in the last round. That never happened. Sporting comfortably won 3-0 over Gil Vicente and secured the silver with a two-point lead.
League champions Porto, on the other hand, emerged victorious against Santa Clara and finished six points ahead of Sporting – and eight points ahead of a scant Benfica team.
Read on F7: Norwegian left winger Antonio Nusa is wanted by Premier League giant
Schjelderup was behind the preparatory work when Richard Rios scored the lead goal already in the 7th minute. At that point, Sporting’s game was still goalless, and hope in Lisbon was alive and well. But just a few minutes later, Sporting took the lead through Eduardo Quaresma, and from there they never let go.
Fredrik Aursnes was substituted after 80 minutes, while Schjelderup got four minutes less and left the field after 76. Despite a long injury absence, Aursnes played 28 league games this season – exactly as many as Schjelderup.
Andreas Schjelderup’s journey so far
- Joined Benfica from FC Nordsjælland in January 2023, after taking the Danish league by storm.
- Struggled with confidence and playing time in the beginning, and was loaned out to Nordsjælland to get important games in his legs.
- Has fought his way back at Benfica this season and shown more and more of his enormous potential.
- 28 league games in the 2024/25 season – a clear sign that he is now an important piece in the team.
- Assists in the season finale show that he delivers when it counts, even if his Champions League dream was dashed.
- Still only 21 years old – the future lies ahead of the Norwegian winger.
