Mourinho explains Gianluca Prestianni absence, Benfica training images raise doubts | OneFootball

José Mourinho said Gianluca Prestianni had not trained after returning from Argentina due to illness, yet Benfica published images of him in Thursday’s session, prompting questions over that account.

Glorioso 1904 reports that Mourinho explained the winger’s omission from Benfica’s starting XI in his post-match press conference after the draw with Casa Pia.

He said Prestianni came back with a fever, did not attend the training centre, and was kept away to avoid possible contagion in the dressing room. He added the teenager only became available on the eve of the game.

However, photos on the club’s official website from Thursday show the Argentine working alongside team-mates in collective drills, with no obvious signs of limitation.

Prestianni has made 35 appearances this season for Benfica, 23 in the Liga Portugal Betclic, five in the Champions League, two in the Taça de Portugal, two in the Taça da Liga and one in the Supertaça. Across 1,726 minutes, he has three goals and two assists. He is valued at 12 million euros.

Source: Glorioso 1904