Nicolas Otamendi ready for Rangers and Ibrox factor as Benfica stopper eyes season 'booster'

World Cup winner Nicolas Otamendi insists his Benfica side do not fear the Ibrox factor.

And he believes a win in Glasgow can kick-start the Portuguese giants’ stuttering season. A place in the Europa League’s last eight is up for grabs on Thursday evening after last week’s 2-2 draw in Lisbon. But for the Eagles to soar into the next round, they will have to do what no team has managed in UEFA’s second-tier tournament since Lyon raided Ibrox for a win back in September 2021.

Rangers responded to that loss by marching all the way to the final in Seville and the Ibrox side have gone three group-stage fixtures this term - plus two Champions League qualifiers - without slipping up. But Argentine star Otamendi is relishing the challenge: He said: "We enjoy such atmospheres. It's beautiful to play in these atmospheres. It's good for us and we should play without fear. It's important that we win for our own mindset and for the rest of our season. For us, it's important to win. We should be enthusiastic and calm.”

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Benfica boss Roger Schmidt has come under heavy pressure after losing key domestic clashes back-to-back against local rivals Sporting Lisbon and Porto. His side got back to winning ways with Sunday’s victory over Estoril and Otamendi hopes victory in Govan can spark the Eagles back into life.

The former Manchester City defender said: "This is not the key for our season but we know it could be a booster for the rest of our campaign. The players must be strong mentally. We have had tough periods this season and we must overcome them.

"We had a good result at the weekend which brought calmness. Now there's a