Gianluca Prestianni scored five minutes after coming on against Lech Poznań, and that was only the latest sign that his output is becoming hard to ignore. He has 11 goals and six assists this season, while a direct hand in 30 percent of Benfica's 63 goals puts him right at the centre of their attack.
Benfica's reliance on his output
The bluntest number is the one that ties him to the whole side. Prestianni needs 75 minutes to be involved in a goal, which is a strong return for a player being used increasingly as a regular starter rather than just an impact option.
He has started 14 of 19 matches this season, up from 22 of 44 last season. That jump in starts lines up with the way Benfica are using him now, and Marco Silva's view of him makes the point clear enough.
Speaking to A Bola, Silva said: "He is a tremendous talent and is taking increasingly sure steps to express the potential he has. It is not just the attacking moment, it is everything he does for the team, and he feels that the stadium is with him too. He is in an excellent moment."
Prestianni's recent form also sits inside a team that is winning, with Benfica on a five-match run and perfect in the Europa League after four games. His case is not built on one finish against Lech Poznań, it is built on a season where the goals, assists and minutes all point the same way.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
