FIFA 22 Benfica Career Mode Guide: Starting lineup and who to sign

It has been two years since Benfica lifted the Portuguese title, so you need to get them back on track with some silverware in FIFA 22 Career Mode.

Benfica hasn’t tasted European glory since the 1960s either, so it is about time they had a meaningful run in European competition too!

With you at the helm anything is possible, and our guide should help you in your quest to make Benfica one of Europe’s footballing giants once again.

Team Rating

Benfica has a 4.5-star rating in FIFA 22.

The breakdown of the ratings is as follows: ATT 78, MID 79, DEF 79.

Starting Lineup and Formation

We are not sold on Benfica’s default 5-2-3 formation, especially as it leaves out one of their star players!

Instead, we make the simple change to a 4-3-3 (we prefer it with a CDM) to bring some more stability to the midfield.

In goal is reliable Greek stopper Odisseas Vlachodimos (OVR 81), with the experienced duo of Nicolas Otamendi (OVR 81) and Jan Vertonghen (OVR 81) in front of him.

Grimaldo (OVR 82) is the no-brainer at left-back, but the RB spot proves trickier. Diogo Goncalves (OVR 76) is the most aggressive option, and his higher potential tips the scales in his favour.

German midfielder Julian Weigl (OVR 79) is the man to sit in front of the back four, allowing Joao Mario (OVR 80) and Pizzi (OVR 81) the freedom to get forward and be creative.

On the wings we want pace and skill, so we would start Rafa (OVR 82) and Everton (OVR 80) to provide the creative spark and threat on the counter.

Although not the highest-rated striker available, we like Darwin Nunez (OVR 76) through the middle and would give the Uruguayan youngster as much game-time as possible.

Tactics and Instructions

Both Everton and Rafa possess the pace to cause problems, so it can be worth telling them to ‘Get in Behind’ and make the most of their speed.

We would instruct Weigl to ‘Stay Back While Attacking’ and ‘Cover Centre’ to provide a stable base at the heart of your midfield.

Defensively, we would leave all four players balanced to get the best out of them.

Development Plans

If you are going to opt for a four at the back approach, then switching Diogo Goncalves and Valentino Lazaro’s primary positions to RB would be a wise place to start.

Weigl won’t take long to make the switch to CDM either so that is worth doing during pre-season.

Striker Darwin Nunez is quick and strong already, but a bit of extra pace and work on his finishing could make him a top-class forward.

Transfer Market

Starting budget: £25 million

Who should go?

Benfica has a fairly large squad, so there are some players that will be surplus to requirements.

Swiss striker Haris Seferovic (OVR 78) may be the top-rated ST in the squad, but his age and lack of pace make him a prime candidate for the transfer list.

Goalkeeper Helton Leite (OVR 78) and midfielder Adel Taarabt (OVR 77) can both also be let go, bringing in roughly an extra £15 million.

Gilberto (OVR 75), Rodrigo Pinho (OVR 73), and Andre Almeida (OVR 77) could also be sold for an extra £15 million too.

Loans

Goncalo Ramos (POT 86) is worth sending out on loan if you have no immediate plans for him in the first-team squad.

Goalkeeper Mile Svilar (POT 80) could also be sent out to gain some experience, although we would keep him as the backup option after selling Helton Leite.

Benfica has 12 players currently out on loan, so watch out for Tiago Araujo (POT 83), Tiago Dantas (POT 81), Tomas Tavares (POT 82), Jota (POT 83), and Florentino (POT 83) upon their return to the club.

Who to sign?

With easily an extra £30 million added to the budget, we would look to bring in a new striker to lead the line and a box-to-box midfielder.

Benfica’s team is not the tallest, so a striker who can pose an aerial threat would help the team from set-pieces at both ends of the pitch.

Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri (OVR 82)would be an excellent signing as he is mobile, strong, tall, and great in front of goal.

Transfer Options (ST)

We are looking for an engine in the middle of the park, so a CM with high work rates and 90+ Stamina would do nicely.

Milan’s Franck Kessie (OVR 84) may prove too expensive, so Premier League stars Tomas Soucek (OVR 82) and James Ward-Prowse (OVR 81) could be more reasonably priced alternatives.

Soucek would offer valuable height to a pretty small side, while we don’t need to explain Ward-Prowse’s expertise from set pieces.

Transfer Options (CM)

Board Expectations

It is not hard to see what the board demands! Critical priority on Domestic Success means that without a trophy you will likely be out of a job.

There is also a critical priority on Brand Exposure and Youth Development. Benfica has a rich history of developing terrific young players, so you will need to continue in their philosophy.

The board is less concerned by Continental Success, although an exciting European campaign always goes down well with the board.

Medium priority has also been assigned to your Financial targets, so don't stress about cutting costs.