Newcastle United’s defeat of Benfica in the Champions League this week has caused drama left, right and centre. And that drama refuses to die down.
[Record cover the latest today](https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-betclic/benfica/detalhe/20251024-212325-entrevista-a-rui-costa-em-direto) as Benfica president Rui Costa has had to come out and defender Nicolas Otamendi.
The Benfica captain found himself in the firing line earlier this week after the defeat to Newcastle. He refused to do a post-match interview on the pitch, leading to criticism from all corners.
A source at Benfica is believed to have leaked the news to the media, leading to questions being asked about the Argentine. That then led to further drama as one pundit labelled it ‘disgusting’ that someone at Benfica had thrown the defender under the bus in such a manner.
The drama behind the scenes has been non-stop since that 3-0 defeat at St James Park. Lines have certainly been drawn over the issue with Otamendi.
Fortunately, it seems he has support from those above him at Benfica. President Rui Costa is certainly on his side, coming out to defend the Benfica captain today over the post-Newcastle drama.
“Otamendi didn’t speak on the pitch so he could speak off the pitch,” he said.
“We’re back to the same situation. At Benfica, everything is news. Otamendi ended up speaking at the end of the match. It was coordinated right after the match; he wouldn’t speak on the pitch, he wanted to take a breather, to speak at the end.
“We’re talking about Otamendi, he’s an excellent professional, he’d rather die on the pitch. He’s an example to all his teammates. He stood up for himself. It doesn’t matter when. He was a great leader on and off the pitch.”