Benfica faces a bit of a scheduling puzzle. Their captain, Nicolás Otamendi, won’t set foot back in Europe until Wednesday. This cuts it close. The team has a crucial Portuguese Cup match in Chaves just two days later. Such a tight turnaround gives coaches grey hairs. Especially when their star defender is halfway across the world.
Things were supposed to be smoother. The original calendar had Argentina playing Puerto Rico on Monday. Otamendi could have been back on home soil by Tuesday. This would have given him valuable extra time. He could have shaken off jet lag and trained with his clubmates.
But football, like life, often throws curveballs. Plans shifted due to protests. Public discussions about emigration policies led authorities to change the game’s location. The match was pushed back a day. It is now set for Tuesday at Inter Miami’s stadium in Miami, not Chicago. A global issue quietly reshaped a domestic fixture list.
Adding to the complexity, Otamendi didn’t play in Argentina’s recent clash against Venezuela. That game happened early yesterday morning. Coach Lionel Scaloni likely saved his defender for the Puerto Rico match. This means Otamendi will have less time to prepare for Benfica’s important game in Trás-os-Montes. It’s a delicate balance for any player. They serve both club and country.