Breaking! Benfica key man is injured, derby in doubt | OneFootball

More bad news for José Mourinho. According to what has been reported, the coach will not be able to count on Tomás Araújo for the visit to Casa Pia, as the centre-back is injured. However, the headaches do not end there, and there is a strong possibility that Benfica’s number 44 could also miss the derby against Sporting.

Tomás Araújo will also definitely be unavailable for the following match, at the Estádio da Luz, when Benfica host Nacional.

Set to miss the Eagles’ next two matches, Tomás Araújo - who could have forced a fifth yellow card - is at risk of missing the derby. The sports daily reports that Benfica believe the player will return in time to face Sporting, but that will only happen if the recovery from his muscle injury progresses favorably enough to allow it.

Tomás Araújo’s injury comes as a real blow for José Mourinho, who may be forced to make changes with the derby in mind. Although number 44 has rotated with António Silva alongside Nicolás Otamendi, the truth is that the 23-year-old defender has been the Special One’s choice in the more demanding matches. Against Casa Pia, number 4 is expected to start, having served his suspension against Vitória de Guimarães.

This season, in Benfica’s service, Tomás Araújo - valued at €28 million - has already made a total of 36 official appearances: 20 in the Liga Portugal Betclic, nine in the Champions League, four in the Portuguese Cup, two in the League Cup, and one in the Liga Portugal Meu Super. In the 2,538 minutes he has been on the pitch, the defender has recorded one goal and one assist.

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