Otamendi leaving? Benfica already have a replacement lined up | OneFootball

Nicolás Otamendi will miss Benfica’s next fixture, against Porto, and José Mourinho has already set out the alternative plan. Gonçalo Oliveira emerges as the most likely choice to take the starting spot in the heated classic against the Dragons. The young centre-back is expected to earn the coach’s full trust for this highly demanding and responsible clash.

Concerns are mounting for Benfica, as António Silva remains doubtful for the match. With medical uncertainty, it is still unclear who will replace Nicolás Otamendi alongside Tomás Araújo. Gonçalo Oliveira – who is on the radar of a European giant – appears to be the strongest option to shore up the back line and try to stop the dangerous Porto attack.

The absence is due to Nicolás Otamendi’s recent sending off in the previous competition. The captain was shown a straight red card in the League Cup semi-final against Braga, thus missing the crucial trip to Porto’s ground. This significant loss forces immediate and necessary adjustments to the Eagles’ defensive strategy.

Porto - Benfica: Decisive Portuguese Cup Clash

The classic is scheduled for next Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The match will kick off at 8:45 pm at Estádio do Dragão. This decisive encounter is part of the quarter-finals of the Generali Tranquilidade Portuguese Cup, promising intense emotions, and will be broadcast on RTP 1.

This season, playing for Benfica, Gonçalo Oliveira – valued at 2 million euros – has made 16 appearances: 11 in the Second League and five in the UEFA Youth League. In the 1,395 minutes he has spent on the pitch, the young centre-back, who is under contract until 2027, has scored four goals and provided two assists.

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