Shock exit: Trubin and Sudakov lose coach after UCL humiliation

Club statement

Lisbon club president Rui Costa announced the departure of the coach after the Champions League match against Azerbaijani side Qarabağ, in which the Portuguese vice-champions suffered a shocking 2:3 defeat.

"I want to inform all Benfica fans that we have just reached an agreement with Bruno Lage, who as of today will no longer be Benfica's coach. I would like to thank Bruno for everything he has tried to do, all he did for Benfica, and all the dedication he showed throughout the year representing our club. But unfortunately, the time has come, and we understand that it’s time for a change. As for the next coach: we obviously expect the new manager to be on the bench this Saturday at the Vila das Aves stadium," said Rui Costa.

Bruno Lage took charge of Benfica for the second time in his career in September 2024. With the team, he won the Portuguese League Cup and the country’s Super Cup, and also led the Eagles to championship silver medals.

Trubin and Sudakov await a new coach (photo: x.com/slbenfica_en)

Ukrainian connection

Two Ukrainian footballers play for the Lisbon club: goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin and midfielder Heorhii Sudakov.

In the match against Qarabağ, Sudakov provided two assists early in the game. Benfica was leading 2:0, but then the opponents scored three goals past Trubin.

Ukrainian Oleksii Kashchuk scored the winning goal for Qarabağ.