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SportsBenfica Women midfielder Pauleta: Team aims to win every competition
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Benfica's women's football team began pre-season preparations for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday with medical and physical exams at the Benfica Campus. Midfielder Pauleta, 28, served as spokesperson, stating the team's clear objective to win every competition they enter. The Portuguese international and club captain since the project's inception in 2018 expressed pride and gratitude for the club's investment in women's football and aims to inspire new players. Coach Ivan Baptista will hold the first pitch session on Friday, with almost the full squad available. Notable absences include Michaely Bihina (Cameroon national team duty), while Andreia Norton and Ana Borges are recovering from long-term injuries, and Lara Martins remains the only player on the medical report. Four youth academy players will join the squad. Benfica will play three closed-door friendlies in August against London City Lionesses, Torreense, and Racing Power, plus matches against the club's male youth teams.
Source report
This Wednesday, Benfica's women's team kicked off preparations for the 2026/27 season by undergoing the usual medical and physical exams at the Benfica Campus.
Pauleta Reflects on Season Goals
Reflecting on the first day, Pauleta, the 28-year-old midfielder, served as the squad's spokesperson. The team knows what the season's goals are and that the work cannot stop.
"Obviously, the objectives are clearly set. We enter every competition to win. So, we have everything well mapped out. We know the competition is almost here, so we want to work with those goals in mind, above all, to win trophies," said the Portuguese international.
Captain's Pride and Gratitude
Benfica's captain has been with the eagles since the project's inception (2018) and wants to be an inspiration for the new players. She also does not forget the support the club has provided over these years.
"It's pride and also gratitude to the club for this journey. Being here from the start also shows how much this team has grown and the investment in women's football as well. I'm here to show that to those who arrive or those who have been here for less time than me," she admitted.
Squad and Injury Updates
The first session on the pitch will take place next Friday, the 24th, with coach Ivan Baptista counting on almost the entire squad, except for:
- Michaely Bihina – playing for the Cameroon national team in the Africa Cup of Nations
- Andreia Norton and Ana Borges – in the final stages of recovering from injuries that kept them out for the entire last season
- Lara Martins – still recovering from a serious injury, the only player on the medical report
Youth academy players Tinkara Testen, Matilde Matos, Sara Macedo, and Madalena Loução will make up the eagles' squad.
Pre-Season Fixtures
The reds will play three closed-door matches:
- August 12 – vs London City Lionesses
- August 19 – vs Torreense
- August 29 – vs Racing Power
In addition to these matches, there will also be some games against Benfica's male youth teams.
Source
RecordRegional
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Pauleta: Benfica Women Enter Every Competition to Win