Mourinho loses two starters to injury for Arouca v Benfica | OneFootball

Nicolás Otamendi and Enzo Barrenechea are out of José Mourinho’s squad. However, there are other changes for the trip to Arouca: the Special One is preparing to make five changes to the team, with alterations spanning from defense to attack.

According to the newspaper Record, these changes start right away at right-back. Alexander Bah is set to return to the starting lineup, in a backline that loses captain Otamendi, who is physically limited, and reunites António Silva with Tomás Araújo. In midfield, Leandro Barreiro is the new addition, playing alongside Richard Ríos.

Further up the field, Sudakov, who did not feature in the Clássico (2-2), will return to the starting eleven, as will Lukebakio, who played in the second half against Porto. This could mean that Rafa and Prestianni will start the match on the substitutes’ bench.

On the other hand, midfielder Fredrik Aursnes and winger Bruma are confirmed absences due to muscle injury. In the case of the Norwegian, a key player in the Benfica setup, his return is only expected in April, and he could be back in time to play in the eternal derby against Sporting on matchday 30.

It should be noted that the red and white team will be back on the pitch next Saturday, March 14, against Arouca. The match, valid for the 26th round of the Liga Portugal Betclic, against the side led by Vasco Seabra, will be played at 8:30 p.m. at the opponent’s ground.

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