Otamendi ruled out for Benfica... but fans have reasons to cheer | OneFootball

Nicolas Otamendi received his fifth yellow card in the Liga Portugal Betclic 2025/26, and will not be able to play in Benfica's next match. The captain of the Eagles was cautioned during the team's game against Vitória SC in Guimarães, which ended in a 3-0 victory.

The captain of Benfica will miss the home match against Casa Pia in the Eagles' next fixture in the national championship. However, Nicolas Otamendi's decision seemed to be premeditated, as the yellow card was given for delaying the taking of a free kick, which the center-back then left for Trubin to take.

But he will have a clean slate for the derby against Sporting, which will be played on December 5, two rounds from now in Liga Portugal Betclic 2025/26.

Therefore, Otamendi will miss the home game against Casa Pia, and is expected to return to the team for the trip to Madeira to face Nacional. In the following round, Benfica will host Sporting, and the center-back should have no issues for that match.

This also means that, in the match against Casa Pia, José Mourinho will likely rely on the duo of Tomás Araújo and António Silva. After this yellow card to Otamendi, only two players remain at risk (with four yellow cards) in the Benfica squad: Richard Ríos and Amar Dedic.

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