Alverca: The Figueiredo factor and the night the Luz was rattled

Alverca are gearing up to cross the Segunda Circular to face Benfica at the Estádio da Luz on Monday in matchday 10 of the Primeira Liga. The clash marks the Ribatejo side's third major away test of the season, having already travelled to—and suffered defeats at—the homes of FC Porto and Sporting.

The fixture calendar handed Alverca a daunting start on the road. On the opening weekend, they visited the Estádio do Dragão, succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against FC Porto. A fortnight later, they headed to the Estádio José Alvalade, where they produced a spirited display but were ultimately beaten 3-1 by Sporting. Despite the loss in Alvalade, striker Figueiredo left his stamp with an 87th-minute consolation goal, reinforcing what has become his trademark: delivering on Portugal's biggest stages.

For Sérgio Ferreira's side, the trip to the Luz carries both the weight of a grueling cycle of away matches against title contenders and the inspiring memory of an audacious display at the same ground last season.

Alverca's most vivid and motivating memory goes back to February. In a thrilling league encounter last season, the visitors silenced the Luz when Figueiredo struck from the center of the box in the 29th minute to make it 1-1. Although Benfica eventually scraped a narrow 2-1 win, the striker's standout performance sent a clear warning that still echoes around the ground.

While their attacking spark is assured by the sharpness of their number 22, Ferreira's defensive setup suffered a significant blow last weekend. In the 1-0 home defeat to Arouca, defensive pillar Steven Baseya was sent off and must now serve a one-match ban at the Luz.

Winger André Vidigal is also ruled out through suspension after receiving a red card from the substitutes' bench.

On the medical front, goalkeeper Noah Raveyre has returned to fitness after nursing a left thigh muscle problem since the start of the season. Midfielder Sabit Abdulai continues his tailored recovery following left knee surgery for a torn ACL and meniscus damage, as does Bastien Meupiyou, who also underwent an operation on his left knee.