Sport Lisboa e Benfica postponed their third-round match against Moreirense Futebol Clube to September to manage player fatigue during European qualification playoffs.
Liga de Clubes released the complete schedule for the third and fourth rounds on Wednesday. The main change to the calendar is the postponement of third-round fixtures for both Benfica and Sporting Clube de Braga, which were originally scheduled for the weekend of August 22 and August 23.
Both clubs elected to use a rule in the official competition regulations that permits teams competing in European qualifiers to reschedule one of their opening three domestic league matches.
Correio da Manhã previously reported on July 19 that Benfica were considering this fixture adjustment. The Portuguese sports authority has now officially confirmed the change.
European Playoff Schedule
The team coached by Marco Silva has confirmed playoff commitments on August 20 and August 27. Benfica will compete in the Europa League playoff round if they defeat Scottish club Hearts, or in the Conference League playoff round if they are eliminated by Hearts.
By removing the match on the weekend of August 22 and August 23, Benfica splits their schedule prior to the September international break into two balanced blocks separated by a week of rest. The squad will play seven games in 28 days from July 23 to August 20, followed by seven games in 24 days from August 27 to September 20.
The rescheduled match against Moreirense is set for Wednesday, September 9. That date is designated for the opening round of the Champions League league phase, but because Benfica is not participating in the Champions League, the club is free to play its domestic fixture on that evening.
Regulation Choices and Past Season
Benfica chose not to request postponements for either the first or second round of the league season. In contrast, the club opted to postpone its opening fixture during the previous season.
The corporate entity of Benfica SAD chose instead to invoke the regulation perk specifically for the third round. Sporting Braga also opted for a third-round postponement, rescheduling their visit to Estrela Amadora.
Third Round Fixture Schedule
The third round of the league competition will feature the following scheduled matches and television broadcast assignments:
- Saturday, August 22: Marítimo vs Ac. Viseu at 15:30 on Sport TV
- Saturday, August 22: Estoril vs Rio Ave at 18:00 on Sport TV
- Saturday, August 22: Sporting vs Alverca at 20:30 on Sport TV
- Sunday, August 23: V. Guimarães vs Nacional at 15:30 on Sport TV
- Sunday, August 23: Santa Clara vs Famalicão at 18:00 on Sport TV
- Sunday, August 23: FC Porto vs Arouca at 20:30 on Sport TV
- Monday, August 24: Gil Vicente FC vs Casa Pia at 20:15 on Sport TV
- Wednesday, September 9: Moreirense vs Benfica at 20:15 on TVI (subject to confirmation)
- Thursday, September 10: Estrela Amadora vs Sp. Braga at 20:15 on Sport TV (subject to confirmation)
Fourth Round Fixture Schedule
The fourth round schedule published by Liga de Clubes includes the following kick-off times and broadcast details:
- Friday, August 28: Rio Ave vs Sporting at 20:15 on Sport TV
- Saturday, August 29: Alverca vs Santa Clara at 15:30 on Sport TV
- Saturday, August 29: Arouca vs Marítimo at 15:30 on Sport TV
- Saturday, August 29: Ac. Viseu vs FC Porto at 18:00 on Sport TV
- Sunday, August 30: Nacional vs Estrela Amadora at 15:30 on Sport TV
- Sunday, August 30: Casa Pia vs Moreirense at 18:00 on Sport TV
- Sunday, August 30: Famalicão vs Gil Vicente at 20:30 on Sport TV
- Monday, August 31: Benfica vs Estoril at 18:45 on BTV (subject to confirmation)
- Monday, August 31: Sp. Braga vs V. Guimarães at 20:45 on Sport TV (subject to confirmation)
