“Ivanovic in eclipse at Benfica: No minutes in the second half of the league.”

The situation of Franjo Ivanovic at Benfica has turned into a true drama, an “eclipse” that is leaving fans perplexed. Since the start of the second half of the league, the Croatian forward has not seen a single minute of action, remaining an unused substitute in four crucial matches: Rio Ave (2-0), Estrela da Amadora (4-0), Tondela (0-0), and Alverca (2-1). This grim scenario is even more unsettling when considering that Ivanovic was signed for an impressive €22.8 million, with the expectation of being a prolific goalscorer.

In the last match held at the Estádio da Luz, where Benfica triumphed with goals from Andreas Schjelderup and Anísio Cabral, Ivanovic found himself once again relegated to the bench. Despite warming up, his entry was overlooked in favor of the young talent Schjelderup, leading to growing frustration among fans who expected more from the player who arrived labeled as a goal-scoring promise.

The start of the season seemed promising for Ivanovic, who played alongside Pavlidis in Bruno Lage’s 4-4-2 system. However, the Portuguese coach’s tactical shift to a single striker left him at a disadvantage. The situation worsened further with the arrival of José Mourinho, where competition increased, especially with Pavlidis in excellent form. The Croatian, who is not a pure winger, had to adapt by playing more frequently on the flank, but his nature does not align with that position, which further compromised his utilization.

The lack of minutes on the pitch has not only affected his physical form but also his reputation in the Croatian national team. Negative comments have emerged, questioning his condition, especially with the rise of Anísio Cabral, a young player of just 17 years old, who has won Mourinho’s favor and contributed with decisive goals. The pressure increases as Ivanovic watches from the bench, dealing not only with the shadow of Pavlidis but now also with the rising star Cabral.

Before the match against Alverca, Mourinho mentioned the need to manage the situation of the forward, without ignoring Ivanovic’s ambition to be present at the World Cup. However, the coach’s priority remains clear: the team’s victory. With only 5 goals in 31 games for Benfica and without scoring since December 17, when he found the net against Farense in the Portuguese Cup, Ivanovic finds himself at a decisive moment in his career. Time is running out, and the pressure to reverse this “eclipse” has never been more intense.