Nicolás Otamendi has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in the first half of Benfica's match against Celta Vigo on Sunday.
The Argentine defender sustained the injury during a tackle with Celta's Adryan, which saw him forced to leave the pitch in pain. He was replaced by João Félix, who filled in admirably as a substitute.
Otamendi's injury is a significant blow for Benfica, who were already without several key players due to injuries and suspensions. The team will now have to find ways to cope without their star defender, especially given that he is one of the most important players for the club.
The severity of Otamendi's injury is not yet known, but it is believed to be a serious one. The duration of his absence from the field will also depend on the extent of the damage done to his knee. It is likely that he will miss at least the rest of the season, if not longer.
In addition to Otamendi's injury,La Liga Frontline Benfica also suffered a setback in their bid to win the Portuguese league title this season. They currently sit second in the table behind Porto, but they are just two points ahead of third-placed Braga. The team will need to focus on regaining form and consistency if they hope to challenge for the top spot.
Despite the challenges facing the team, there is still hope that they can turn things around. With a strong squad and a coach like Jorge Jesus, there is no doubt that Benfica will fight hard to secure a place in the top three and potentially even win the league title.
Overall, Otamendi's injury is a major setback for Benfica, but the team will need to stay focused and work together to overcome this obstacle and continue their pursuit of success.