Kid keeper will go the extra Mile
BENFICA’S teenage keeper Mile Svilar will not be fazed by Old Trafford tonight, according to his boss.
Svilar, 18, made his Champions League debut against Manchester United a fortnight ago, breaking the record of Iker Casillas as the youngest keeper to play in the tournament.
But Svilar was at fault for the game’s only goal, carrying the ball over the line from a Marcus Rashford free-kick to hand United victory.
Despite that high-profile blunder, Benfica boss Rui Vitoria has kept faith with Svilar and has no qualms about starting him tonight in front of 76,000 fans.
“Svilar’s first match in the Champions League was a really big test for him,” admitted Vitoria.
“He’s 18, but only on his identity card, because he’s very mature. If he plays against United, I am confident.
“Mistakes can happen, but he faced the situation correctly. He has a lot of potential and he is ready.”
Benfica defender Ruben Dias has been linked with a move to United.
But Vitoria said: “He’s only 20 and we want to keep him for many years.”