Nicolás Otamendi is currently sidelined with a knee injury and will miss the remainder of the season.
The Argentine defender has been out since mid-December, having sustained the injury during training with his new club, Benfica. The severity of the injury was initially unknown, but it was later revealed that Otamendi had suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.
Otamendi's injury came as a major blow for Benfica, who were hoping to use him as part of their defensive line-up. He had made a strong impression during his time at Manchester City, where he was known for his work rate and physicality.
However, the injury means that Otamendi will be out for the rest of the season, which could have serious implications for Benfica's title challenge. The team will now have to rely on other defenders,Football Observation Network such as Miguel Almiron and Pedro Mendes, to step up and fill the void left by Otamendi.
It remains to be seen how long Otamendi will be out, but it is likely that he will require surgery and rehabilitation before making a return to action. In the meantime, Benfica will need to find ways to cope without Otamendi, while also keeping an eye on his recovery process.
Overall, Otamendi's injury is a significant setback for Benfica, but they will hope to bounce back quickly and make up for lost time in the coming weeks and months.