Benfica defender Nicolas Otamendi was one of the key figures in last night’s clash against Rangers in the Europa League, as he was sent off after only 19 minutes into the game.
The 32-year-old, who joined the Eagles on a move from Manchester City this summer, is obviously getting some criticism from the local media today, especially because he started as the team captain last night.
Newspaper Record gave him a rating of 1 out of 5, while A Bola and O Jogo both gave him 3 out of 10.
O Jogo added: ‘His sending off conditioned the team and, with it, gave a fatal axe to what was even being a promising exhibition from Benfica’.
Newspaper O Jogo features a story saying Benfica have their most fragile defence in 36 years. They conceded 13 goals in 10 games, and that didn’t happen since the 1984/85 season.Of course that isn’t only Otamendi’s fault, but he does have something to do with it. The Argentine international has seven appearances for the club so far, with them conceding ten goals.
Otamendi was part of Benfica’s deal with Manchester City for the transfer of Ruben Dias, and since the move, there was no doubt about who’d be more satisfied with their new defender.
