Otamendi plays down Mourinho future chat: 'We talk about life, not what's next'
Benfica's veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi addressed the media ahead of their crucial Champions League clash with Real Madrid, downplaying speculation about Mourinho's future.
Ahead of Benfica’s must-win Champions League showdown with Real Madrid, Nicolas Otamendi has brushed off questions about Jose Mourinho’s future at the Portuguese club.
Century milestone
The Argentine defender, who’s set to make his 100th appearance for Benfica, fronted the media alongside The Special One ahead of Wednesday night’s crucial European fixture. The milestone clearly means a lot to the former Manchester City man, but he’s keeping his focus squarely on the task at hand.
“At a personal level, it’s a very good landmark. I’m happy to reach it,” Otamendi acknowledged, while emphasizing that only maximum concentration would suffice against the Spanish giants.
Mourinho’s future? Not on the agenda
When pressed about whether Mourinho would extend his stay at the Estádio da Luz, Otamendi revealed their conversations have a different focus entirely:
“With Mou, we talk about life in general. We’re living in a moment that requires maximum concentration day-to-day, not on the future.”
The 36-year-old centre-back, who’s become something of a father figure in the Benfica dressing room, emphasized his commitment to setting an example for the club’s younger players.
“I live for the club. I always try to give my maximum and be an example for the youngsters,” he explained. “Getting to the top is easy, staying there is the most difficult part.”
Fan intervention
Interestingly, Otamendi also addressed reports of ultras showing up at Benfica’s training session, clarifying it wasn’t a confrontation but rather a show of support.
“It wasn’t a demand, but support. The fans live it the same way we have to live it. They have the right to demand from us. It’s always important for players not to relax and to keep growing.”
Madrid challenge
When asked specifically about the threat posed by Kylian Mbappé, Otamendi was having none of it, refusing to focus solely on the Frenchman:
“Madrid isn’t just one player, they have quality in every position. It needs to be a perfect match for us, both offensively and defensively. We need to convert our opportunities and stay compact at the back.”
Benfica know that nothing less than three points will do in their quest to advance in Europe’s premier competition. The Portuguese giants will be banking on Mourinho’s tactical nous and Otamendi’s experience to pull off what would be a proper Bobby Dazzler of an upset against the reigning European champions.