Aursnes ruled out for Benfica, replacement ready to step in | OneFootball

With Fredrik Aursnes injured, the Benfica midfield will inevitably have to change, with Enzo Barrenechea being chosen to start in the Azores. The Leandro Barreiro-Aursnes duo had been showing positive signs, but the Nordic player’s injury forces José Mourinho to reshuffle the team, placing the Argentine midfielder in the starting eleven against Santa Clara.

Before his right shoulder injury, Enzo was an undisputed starter. The 24-year-old even started in the 4-0 thrashing of Estrela da Amadora, but ended up being substituted at halftime. Afterwards, he was brought on for the final eight minutes of the epic 4-2 victory over Real Madrid and also came on in the 88th minute of the 2-0 win against Alverca. In between, at Tondela (0-0), he remained on the bench.

Barrenechea’s situation has been managed with caution. This is due to the traumatic subluxation he suffered in his right shoulder, which he is trying to heal with conservative treatment. Together with Benfica’s medical department, the player chose not to undergo surgery, so his clinical situation is being regularly assessed.

It’s worth remembering that the South American footballer arrived at Luz on loan from Aston Villa, with a fee of three million euros, in a deal that includes a purchase option set at 12 million, dependent on the fulfillment of certain objectives that the Argentine is close to achieving.

This season, wearing the Benfica shirt, Enzo Barrenechea — valued at 15 million euros — has played 33 official matches: 17 in Liga Portugal Betclic, 12 in the Champions League, two in the Portuguese Cup, one in the League Cup, and another in the Super Cup. In the 2,450 minutes he spent on the pitch, the Argentine recorded one goal and one assist.

Great assist by Aursnes:

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