"Not everything is roses." Otamendi's renewal creates problems for Benfica

a Formalizing Nicolas Otamendi’s continuity in Benfica’s service It happened last Friday, after which many fans were left with a sigh of relief, but the truth is that “not everything is roses” to manage the team under Roger Schmidt.

At the end of the contract, the The Argentine center saw that its future points to other stations And some of his colleagues were thinking about the possibility of success in the main team of Benfica, because the departure of the captain would immediately open a vacant place in the center of defense.

Nicolas Otamendi put an end to doubts and assured fans that they would We continue to “dream together” Given that Antonio Silva will continue to partner the Argentine, there are four names in the squad who see their prospects, in some way, deteriorate. Lucas Verissimo, Morato, Joao Victor and Tomás Araujo are part of a lot of problems for Benfica, some of which will continue, some of which will leave.

Watch Verissimo and Morato from “Cersey”

Due to a serious injury, Lucas Verissimo could not be the most regular option ever in the second season – he was not in the first season either – but in the third season he recovered until it was too late – only last September – he stepped into the double of Antonio Silva Nicolás Otamendi. The 27-year-old Brazilian practically did not leave the bench, and he even saw his teammate Morato play on other occasions.

Former Santos center back – who was in the ex He referred to Corinthians He played only six matches for the team coached by Roger Schmidt, while the former Sao Paulo player reached the mark of 20 matches, 15 of which were as a starter, especially before the rise of Antonio Silva, who quickly grabbed the place.

The two Brazilian central defenders were only able to meet on the field in a specific duel against Benfica, against Seville (0-1), at the time the 2022 World Cup was being held in Qatar, which in itself shows that the time they had to wait At the time they watched most of the team’s accomplishments…from the bench.

The Brazilian substitutes for the Portuguese-Argentine duo met only on the pitch in a friendly match.© Getty Images

Joao Victor and Thomas Araujo without a new opportunity?

The large number of defenders in Benfica’s team caused the usual ‘problems’ of surpluses, and in this sense, Tomás Araujo and João Víctor did not escape from the ‘shelter’ of loan, the first since the summer, to Gil Vicente, and the second since the winter to Nantes. .

Both are back and Roger Schmidt has made it clear that, like Thiago Gouveia, who has been loaned out to Estoril, Tomás Araujo will also have a chance in the Reds’ main team. However, Otamendi’s persistence among the German coach’s main options could confuse all accounts.

It now remains to be seen whether there are any central players that could be sold permanently or whether Benfica will again resort to the loan process(s) to mitigate the number of direct competitors for the same position. Will the Portuguese be sacrificed again? we will see…

The Portuguese defender has been on loan to Gil Vicente for the entire season.© Getty Images