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In the World Cup year, the Swiss international can look back on a difficult start in many respects.
Haris Seferovic’s time at Benfica has been a rollercoaster ride. A high-altitude flight is followed by a fall – always with frightening consistency.
Five years ago, the striker made a cautious start to his Portugal adventure, scoring just four goals in his first season at Benfica. The next season saw the Swiss international transform with 23 goals, becoming Portuguese champion and top scorer in 2019. Another lean year (5 goals) followed before he added 22 goals for his club last season.
Persistent bad luck with injuries
Just around his 30th birthday on Tuesday, Haris Seferovic is going through another difficult phase. In addition to his modest yield (3 goals) in the 2021/22 season, the Swiss has also had problems with his calf for some time. A month ago he tore a muscle in exactly the same place that had forced him to take a break six months ago.
Seferovic got help from a specialist after the recurrence. “After all, I’m not 35 yet,” said the jubilee in a Skype interview with SRF. Instead of at home, he would much rather celebrate on the lawn. “I hope to return to the team at the end of February,” said Seferovic, who is repeatedly plagued by injuries for the first time in his career.
The search for the reasons
The “man from Sursee” cannot explain the sporting slump of his club (only 3rd place and 12 points behind Porto): “The quality of the team is right. Still, sometimes we just break in.”
The Swiss international (24 goals in 82 international matches) is still confident about the round of 16 in the Champions League on Wednesday against Ajax Amsterdam: “It will be a balanced duel.” Seferovic is hoping for a home win and then being able to play again in the second leg in mid-March. He was only used for 9 minutes in this CL campaign. During the away game in Barcelona, Seferovic missed the 1-0 winner in added time.
Contract until 2024 with Benfica
The three-time goal scorer at the EM 2020 comments on the transfer rumors during the winter break: “I was injured, so the question of a change didn’t even arise.” The club had signaled that they still liked the Swiss, who was under contract until the summer of 2024.
Seferovic basically wants to stay in Lisbon: “I’m happy here.” But anything is possible in football. We’ll see at the end of the season. Now Seferovic is working hard on his return. He is glad that there is “a little more time” before the World Cup.