Benfica Key Players at Risk of Suspension ahead of UEFA Champions League First Leg against Inter Milan

Benfica’s upcoming UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Inter Milan on Tuesday presents a potential disciplinary headache for the Portuguese team. Three key players – forward Gonçalo Ramos and midfielders João Mário and Florentino Luís – are all entering the match with a yellow card risk. Should they receive a caution during the game, they would be ineligible for the second leg matchup in Milan.

In the Champions League, disciplinary records are cleared twice during the competition: after the play-off to the group stage and again following the quarter-finals. This is done to ensure that the four teams that reach the semi-finals have all of their star players available for this crucial stage of the tournament.

For Benfica, there is therefore a serious risk that they could be without key players for the second leg in Milan. Gonçalo Ramos, João Mário, and Florentino Luís are all vital members of Roger Schmidt’s squad, with the latter being substituted during the recent match against Rio Ave to avoid receiving a caution and missing the crucial upcoming clash against FC Porto. However, he did eventually receive a yellow card during that game and will now be suspended for Benfica’s next match against Chaves.

In addition to these concerns, Benfica will also be without Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi, who will miss the first leg against Inter Milan due to suspension after receiving a yellow card during the second leg of the round of 16 matchup against Club Brugge.

Despite this setback, there is some relief for Otamendi as he will be available for the second leg in Milan, where the tie will be decided.

For Benfica, the upcoming Champions League quarter-final tie against Inter Milan represents a crucial test for the Portuguese team. With the loss of key players and a difficult away fixture still to contend with, they will need to demonstrate their resilience and adaptability in order to progress to the semi-finals.