Álvaro Magalhães: Benfica miss key South American player, big blow | OneFootball

Álvaro Magalhães analyzed the clinical situation of Benfica’s midfield, downplaying a possible crisis scenario. The focus is on the absence of Richard Ríos, who suffered a dislocation in his right shoulder. The player opted for conservative treatment to avoid surgery, but he will definitely miss the next matches for the team led by José Mourinho.

"It’s a loss for the team, especially since Enzo Barrenechea is also injured. For some time now, the two of them have been playing together and, as we know, routines are important in a team. But there’s Manu, who has already played two games, although he’s not yet at full match fitness; there’s Aursnes, there’s Leandro Barreiro, and there’s Sudakov," commented the 65-year-old coach to the newspaper Record.

Although he acknowledges the importance of lost routines, Álvaro Magalhães insists that the squad’s depth is a safeguard for the Portuguese coach. "In short, there are plenty of options for that position," says the former club legend, emphasizing: "He can’t complain. There are several players who can fill that role. What he has to do is prepare the team so that the change doesn’t affect the team’s performance."

The structure of the midfield will therefore need to be reshaped for the immediate challenges, making use of the versatility of players like Fredrik Aursnes or the work rate of Leandro Barreiro. The former Portuguese international believes that the key will be how the group adapts to the introduction of new players in the starting eleven, without losing the collective dynamic in the face of forced absences.

Benfica’s next match is scheduled for Saturday, January 17, 2026. The game will kick off at 8:30 PM and will be played at Estádio do Rio Ave, in Vila do Conde. The clash, against the team led by Sotiris Sylaidopoulos, counts for the 18th round of the Portuguese League.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.