Bruno Lage reveals Otamendi’s role in Benfica exit: I had a chat and… | OneFootball

Bruno Lage gave high praise to the way Nicolás Otamendi acted at the time of his departure from Benfica. In an interview with the newspaper A Bola, the former Eagles coach - who contradicted Rui Costa - revealed the conversation he had with the captain of the team during the reception of Santa Clara, applauding the Argentine international's attitude.

“Nico [Otamendi] will forever be in my memory because he truly is a captain. He was a very important captain for me and will be a very important captain for Benfica. I was watching the players sad because they couldn't hold onto the lead they had gained in the early minutes, and I told Nico to gather the team and let me go out in front so that if the fans had anything to express, it would be against me,” described Bruno Lage.

“And there Nico wouldn't let me go out alone. He told me that we win together and lose together. It was another act of leadership similar to the one he had during the game with Santa Clara, when he wanted to take responsibility for the defeat due to the way we conceded the goal,” reported Bruno Lage.

“When I realized he wouldn't let me go out alone, I stood in front of the group and preferred that all the protests be directed at the coach and that the fans could applaud the team to start lifting them up for the next game. We went to the flash interview, talked about the game, and then I had to make my first statement at the conference, because I had already said something similar in Braga,” added Bruno Lage.

“I want the best for Benfica and I really hope these players become champions at the end of the season. The individual quality is there. With the experience and quality of coach Mourinho and with the time to get to know the players and work together, the collective quality will naturally emerge. At that moment, I had to say that and leave it to the president's consideration, as I wish the best for Benfica,” concluded Bruno Lage.

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