Benfica are set to be without two key players for Thursday’s Europa League playoff second leg against Hearts, according to Portuguese outlet Maisfutebol.
Fredrik Aursnes and Ivan Ivanovic both missed the team’s latest training session and are not expected to be available for the match at the Estádio da Luz, Maisfutebol reports. The club has not issued an official statement on the nature of their absences, but the report indicates neither player will be risked for the fixture.
The news comes as Benfica look to protect their advantage from the first leg in Edinburgh. The tie is the penultimate hurdle before the competition’s new league phase, with the winner advancing to the main draw.
Aursnes has been a regular fixture in Benfica’s midfield since joining the club, while Ivanovic has featured in the squad during the early part of the season. Their potential absence would leave head coach Bruno Lage with fewer options in the middle of the park, though the squad retains depth in those positions.
Maisfutebol’s report aligns with coverage from other Portuguese outlets, including A Bola, which described the pair as significant losses for the match. Terra’s preview of the game also noted the importance of the encounter, with Benfica expected to control possession at home.
The match is scheduled for Thursday evening in Lisbon. Benfica will aim to confirm their place in the next round of the Europa League, while Hearts will need to overturn the deficit from the first leg to keep their European campaign alive.
Watch for the official team sheet to confirm whether either player is included in the matchday squad, with Maisfutebol suggesting both will be left out.