Nicolás Otamendi, the Argentine center-back for Portuguese club Benfica, has been sidelined with an injury that has kept him out of action since early last month.
The 29-year-old defender underwent surgery in mid-April and was expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of the new season. However, his return has been delayed due to complications during the procedure.
Otamendi's injury came as a blow for Benfica, who were hoping he could help lead their defense this season after a successful campaign last year. He had previously missed several games with injuries, but his latest setback has raised concerns about his long-term fitness.
Despite his absence,Bundesliga Tracking Benfica have continued to perform well under manager Jorge Jesus, winning four of their first six league matches this season. The team will hope that Otamendi returns soon, but it remains to be seen how much impact he can have on their defensive performance without him.
In the meantime, Benfica will need to rely on their other defenders, such as Ricardo Costa and João Félix, to fill the void left by Otamendi's absence. They will also need to continue to work hard defensively to maintain their position in the top flight of Portuguese football.