Nicolas Otamendi plots Rangers revenge mission with Benfica star relishing 'physical' Europa League clash
Argentine tough nut Nicolas Otamendi insists he’s licking his lips at the prospect of another Europa League run-in with Rangers - three years after seeing red against them in Lisbon.
Benfica defender Otamendi was on the receiving end of a straight red card the time the two sides met at the Stadium Light in a thrilling 3-3 draw. And the World Cup winner says he is relishing the prospect of some more rough and tumble against the Ibrox outfit on Thursday night, as they go head-to-head again for a place in the quarter finals.
Former Manchester City firebrand Otamendi said: “I know British football and I know that Rangers will be a very physical game for us – and those are the games I get excited by. We have studied them and they also have players who can play very good attacking football – so it would not be respectful to just call them a team that are physical. They can do both, that is why we will be treating them with big respect.”
Otamendi was sent packing for bringing down Ryan Kent the last time the two clubs clashed in the competition in November 2020. Steven Gerrard’s side came back from 1-0 down to storm into the lead against the Portuguese big guns, following Otamendi’s early dismissal.
But a last gasp equaliser from Darwin Nunez meant the tie was left in the balance with a 3-3 draw - before Rangers completed the job by drawing 2-2 at Ibrox in the return. And Otamendi has warned his team mates not to make the same mistake again.
The 36-year-old - out to add the Europa League to an incredible medal haul - said: “It is important we get off to a strong start against Rangers. We are not thinking we can’t go and get a positive result in Glasgow – but also we know what a difficult place it is to go. That is why we want to get
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