Otamendi’s self-criticism after Benfica handed over the title: “It was a very bad time. We have to apologize”

The reaction to the definitive loss of the title

“It’s clear that it’s not the result we wanted, we came here to continue and win, the only chance we had to continue competing was lost today. I think the balance… It was a very bad season for us, on a collective and personal level, We didn’t do well and that’s clear. We didn’t play with the intensity with which we had to face the competitions, we didn’t compete in the Champions League or in Europe, in the championship we had ups and downs in the Cup semi-finals.

We have to think about what we did wrong during the season and apologize to the people who came to support us during the season, those who spent money to support us, we weren’t up to the task.”

The self-portrait

“Then, make it clear that the times I wasn’t here to speak it wasn’t my decision, but that of the press. I was attacked for not being present in the most difficult moments and I could never defend ourselves in that sense. I have no problem showing up when things are going wrong, when things are going well I prefer someone else to be the face.”

What went wrong this season?

“If they were not important, competitive players who were used to winning, new players came to a different dimension that they were perhaps not used to. But, well, Benfica doesn’t give you time, it’s a club where you have to be prepared to win titles, I came here to compete and win titles, unfortunately it didn’t happen this season, let’s try to prepare for the next one in the best way possible. and not repeat the mistakes. So we can wear the jersey and represent it in the way it deserves.”