Benfica breathes a sigh of relief after fresh news on Otamendi | OneFootball

He’s fit: Nicolás Otamendi has recovered from injury and is ready to play. According to reports in recent hours, the Benfica captain returned to the pitch yesterday, March 28, getting some minutes for Argentina’s under-20 side, weeks after his last appearance.

According to Record, the number 30 shirt, like Giianluca Prestianni, who was left out of the friendly against Mauritania, which the Albiceleste won 2-1, started in a training match held by Lionel Scaloni’s side against the under-20 squad.

According to the same source, the match ended in a narrow 1-0 win for the senior national team, with the goal scored by Flaco López. The Palmeiras forward, coached by Abel Ferreira, is looking to secure a place in the World Cup squad.

The biggest news from the match was Otamendi himself. The 38-year-old defender - whose contract renewal with Benfica could fall through - had not played since the Clássico against Porto on March 8. Since then, the Argentine has been unavailable, and his return is a good sign for José Mourinho ahead of the trip to Casa Pia.

This season, for Benfica, Nicolás Otamendi - valued at €1 million - has made a total of 43 official appearances: 24 in the Liga Portugal Betclic, 14 in the Champions League, two in the Portuguese Cup, two in the League Cup and one in the Super Cup. In the 3,809 minutes he has spent on the pitch, the Argentine has scored three goals.

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