Duarte Gomes’ analysis of the Benfica-SC Braga refereeing: Otamendi should have been sent off

An error in a difficult move to analyze

João Pinheiro traveled to Lisbon to manage Benfica-SC Braga, which played at Estádio da Luz.

Below is a technical analysis of the most relevant moves of the match:

2′ Niakaté, in the rotation after a legal interception, inadvertently stepped on Arthur Cabral’s foot. Fortuitous move, without recklessness from the SC Braga defender. Well, the referee signaled nothing.

9′ Aursnes was in a legal position when David Neres made the pass towards him. The midfielder fell in the opponent’s area after a legal tackle (hands on the ball) by Matheus Magalhães. The arbitration team did well in analyzing the dispute.

17′ Otamendi falls in the SC Braga area, apparently without illegal obstruction from the opponent.

28′ Goal from SC Braga, with the initial doubt as to whether or not Banza was in an irregular position. If he was, his proximity to Trubin, the fact that he was on the shooting line and that he tried to play the ball would be enough to impact the Ukrainian goalkeeper’s vision and/or action. But the Franco-Congolese was in a legal position (Álvaro Djaló was off the field of play, but did not interfere with his opponents). Excellent analysis from the assistant referee.

33′ The game had to be interrupted due to the throwing of torches by some Benfica fans.

42′ Aursnes missed a clear scoring opportunity following a cross from the right. The Norwegian was in the game.

45+1′ Otamendi, when jumping, hit Zalazar in the face with his left elbow, the consequence that the infraction had on the opponent’s physical integrity was visible. It is understandable that, on the field, the action escaped João Pinheiro, but the truth is that the Argentine’s gesture was avoidable, unnecessary and seemed frankly intentional. In our opinion, the correct decision would be to show him a red card.

45+3′ Aursnes and Banza used their arms to mark each other, in a move in the Red area. The striker fell when he felt contact in the neck/face area, which in our opinion was not a mistake. The injury arose later, when he was inadvertently touched by the foot of a colleague (Álvaro Djaló).

57′ Arthur Cabral, on the move, collided with the body of Paulo Oliveira, who had gained a position and did not commit an infraction in his area. João Pinheiro did well not to mention anything.

76′ Paulo Oliveira, inside his area, deflected the ball with the tip of his right foot, without committing a foul on Marcos Leonardo. The refereeing team did well to allow the game to continue.

77′ João Moutinho was injured, but it was the SC Braga midfielder who hit Florentino Luís’ right leg in a notoriously negligent way. The referee did well to warn him.

82′ Cher Ndour did not leave the field in the area closest to where he was (during the substitution process), being warned for that reason.

83′ João Pinheiro made a mistake by not signaling Niakaté’s trip on Marcos Leonardo near the Braga area. Afterwards, SC Braga carried out a dangerous counterattack towards Trubin’s goal.

85′ Goal from Benfica, scored by David Neres, concluding a cool move by the red team.

89′ Victor Gómez hit Di María’s left calf with the sole of his boot in a way that was dangerous for the opponent’s physical integrity. The rude entry, despite not seeming malicious, was well sanctioned with a straight red card.

90+5′ Kokçu “wanted” to be warned, because he would certainly know that his action (when executing a throw-in) could leave João Pinheiro no other alternative.

90+5′ Goal by Marcos Leonardo, following a cool tackle with Niakaté (both used their hands to mark). Well validated bid.

90+8′ Vítor Carvalho negligently kicked Tiago Gouveia’s leg. He saw yellow fairly.