“Bitter taste, it could have been different”

After the game from matchday 16 of the Liga Betclic, at the Estádio José Alvalade, Otamendi analyzed Benfica's display and the outcome against Sporting (1-0).

"I think we were a team that perhaps 'gave away' in the first half. In the 2nd half, we played a more dominant game, more pressing and trying to go for the result. We're left with the bitter taste that the result could have been different if the ball had gone in. But unfortunately it didn't," said the Benfica captain in his quick post-match interview with Sport TV.

Otamendi guaranteed that this result would not affect the morale of the team as they strive to achieve their goals.

"If we won, the mentality would be the same. We have to keep going, match by match, and keep adding to our tally. It didn't happen today, but we have to think about the next game, next year. We have to keep in mind that the league is long. We always have to have the positive mindset that things will happen," stressed the Argentinean international.

"We're talking about football. Instead of focusing on everyone's family, we need to focus more on the refereeing. Because of the stoppages the game had, there could have been more than six minutes of compensation. It came up short. But our mentality is to keep going, game after game, and try to do things well in the next match," concluded Otamendi.