Ahead of Casa Pia v Benfica, Mourinho fires at starter: leave or stay | OneFootball

he was very clear about the situation surrounding Nicolás Otamendi’s renewal. At the press conference, where he also commented on the tension between the Eagles’ rivals, the Benfica coach was emphatic about the future of the Reds’ captain, stating that there is no “if” regarding the matter under discussion.

“No, Aursnes has not recovered. There is no ‘if’. Either [Otamendi] leaves or he doesn’t. And at this moment, that does not exist,” the Portuguese coach began by saying at the press conference, “pushing” the decision onto the Argentine’s responsibility. In the meantime, the Special One confirmed the Nordic player’s absence for the match against Casa Pia.

“It is something that is more in the player’s hands than in Benfica’s hands. And if Benfica is prepared for the departure of a player like Otamendi?” José Mourinho asked, raising the possibility of the Argentine leaving, while stating that the Eagles will always have solutions to deal with the situation.

“It will be, in the sense that I have two great centre-backs, António and Tomás, young players, internationals, with a lot of experience at Benfica, wearing the captain’s armband when the others are not there, and they are two players in whom I have the utmost confidence,” added the Special One, giving two specific examples.

“If there is no Otamendi next season, António and Tomás provide guarantees. But, obviously, Benfica would have to go into the market to make up for the departure of a player with Otamendi’s ability, experience and leadership,” José Mourinho concluded, without showing much concern over the Argentine centre-back’s delay in making a decision.

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