Tomás Araújo handed huge boost at Benfica, nothing but reasons to smile | OneFootball

Tomás Araújo is likely to be a solution for Bruno Lage in the starting eleven of Benfica. After playing 90 minutes against Alverca as a centre-back, the defender is now expected to return to the right-back position, which is quite familiar to him, having occupied it for several months last season.

The newspaper Record reports that the 23-year-old has been training as a right-back and will be the one to occupy this position in Benfica's reception of Santa Clara, next Friday, September 12, at 8:15 pm, for the fifth round of the National Championship. It is also known that Bruno Lage has total confidence in Tomás Araújo's abilities in that position.

The opportunity arises due to the expulsion of Amar Dedic in the match against Alverca - Benfica, which prevents him from being an option in this round of Liga Portugal. In addition, the right-back suffered an injury while playing for Bosnia, which could keep him off the pitch for longer than expected.

Despite Bruno Lage preparing this old formula, used last season, since the final whistle against Alverca, it has gained more strength in the last few hours, considering that Otamendi returned from the international break fresher than expected. Thus, the Argentine could be considered as a starter for the match against Santa Clara, leaving Tomás Araújo completely free for the duties of right-back.

The same source also states that the return of Tomás Araújo to the right flank of Benfica poses no problem for the player. Although he is more comfortable playing as a centre-back, the footballer feels prepared to take on the responsibility in the absence of Dedic.

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