Not all bad news for Otamendi: Benfica defender has reasons to smile | OneFootball

Nicolás Otamendi could be an option in the final matchday against Estoril. Confirmation came on Thursday afternoon, when the Disciplinary Board released the list of suspensions that affected several Benfica members. The 38-year-old defender, it should be remembered, was sent off with a straight red in the draw against Famalicão (2-2).

The fact that the Argentine will serve only a one-match suspension, against Braga, ends up being one less headache for José Mourinho, who will have his captain back available against Ian Cathro’s side. As such, the Special One will only be without the Argentine for the home clash with the Arsenalistas, where he will have to rely on the António Silva / Tomás Araújo pairing, if the latter recovers from injury.

It is worth recalling that, besides Otamendi, Richard Ríos will also be unable to make his contribution against Braga, as he picked up his ninth yellow card of the league campaign and, for that very reason, will also have to serve a one-match suspension. However, like the captain, he will return against Estoril.

Thus, Otamendi will miss the last match of the season at the Estádio da Luz, running the risk of not getting to say goodbye to the Benfica fans, at a time when his future at the club is uncertain. In recent hours, the press has reported that the Argentine has an offer to renew with Benfica, but there is strong interest from outside Portugal.

This season for Benfica, Nicolás Otamendi — valued at €1 million — has already made 48 appearances: 29 in Liga Portugal Betclic, 14 in the Champions League, two in the Portuguese Cup, two in the League Cup and one in the Super Cup.

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