Ex-Benfica vice president out to avenge first-leg draw: We can win this | OneFootball

Benfica is preparing to face Santa Clara, the team that took the first points from the reds in the Liga Portugal Betclic. In the first round, the Azoreans managed a draw (1-1) at Luz, thanks to a goal by Vinícius Lopes in the 90+2', after three consecutive wins at the start of the championship, against E. Amadora (1-0), Tondela (3-0), and Alverca (2-1).

Gaspar Ramos, former vice-president for football at the Club, sees a different attitude in José Mourinho's men, trusting in a possible victory tomorrow. "Even playing Mourinho-style, it will be enough to win," he stated confidently in recent comments to the newspaper Record.

It is worth remembering that, in September, Pavlidis put Benfica ahead in the 59th minute, after Gabriel Batista saved a header from Otamendi. However, the worst was yet to come. In stoppage time, a mistake by the Eagles' captain, just back from international duty, as he failed a headed back pass to Trubin, left Vinícius Lopes alone, and he made no mistake.

At the time, the Benfica captain took to social media to comment on the 'slip'. "In a crappy play, the equalizer came. I made a mistake. I own up to it!" said the Argentine center-back, who turns 38 today. At the end of that match, Otamendi – who was recently praised by a former coach – apologized to the fans and ended up being applauded.

Remember that Benfica takes the field this Friday, February 13, against Santa Clara, in a match for the 22nd round of the Liga Portugal Betclic. The match against the team led by Petit will be played at 6:30 pm, at Estádio de São Miguel, in the Azores.

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