Benfica v Actual Madrid preview
Lower than three weeks after goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin despatched Benfica to the Champions League knockout section play-offs with a 98th-minute aim at dwelling to Actual Madrid, the previous European champions go to the Estadio da Luz once more within the first leg of a tie to succeed in the final 16.
Trubin’s header prolonged the Portuguese giants’ European season courtesy of aim distinction in one of many all-time nice moments within the competitors. “We all know what we did to the kings of the Champions League,” mentioned Eagles supervisor Jose Mourinho.
“We are going to play the primary leg with our heads, with ambition and confidence. Trubin received’t be within the assault this time.
“I’m very used to those sorts of ties, I’ve been doing all of it my life. Individuals typically suppose you want a sure end result within the first leg for this or that cause. I say there isn’t a definitive end result.
“I don’t suppose it takes a miracle for Benfica to get rid of Actual Madrid. We should be at our highest stage – I don’t even say excessive, I imply most and nearly bordering on perfection, which doesn’t exist.
“However not a miracle. Actual Madrid are Actual Madrid, with historical past, information, ambition. The one comparable factor is that we’re two big golf equipment.
“Past that, there may be nothing else. Soccer has this energy, and we are able to win.”
Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa guided his facet to a 4-1 dwelling win over Actual Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday and is cautious of one other defeat at Benfica regardless of Los Blancos sustaining their title problem in model.
“I hope historical past doesn’t repeat itself,” mentioned Arbeloa. “We’re ready for the problem of the match, the opponents, the ambiance and what awaits us on Tuesday.
’”It’s 180 minutes and we have now to play an excellent sport there. We can’t accept simply any end result; we have now to exit to win. We have now [the defeat] very contemporary in our minds, so we all know how difficult it is going to be.”
Arbeloa appeared to counsel that he’ll stick with a 4-4-2 formation. “Defensively, it’s a construction not solely utilized by us but in addition by many groups as a result of it closes the central hall, the place you have got probably the most gamers, and means that you can keep extra compact,” he defined.
“With the kind of gamers we have now, if we need to counter-attack, it permits us to take action with two gamers up entrance.
“We have now a variety of room for enchancment. Above all, I’m very blissful as a result of past the methods, effort, teamwork, mentality, and crew spirit are elementary. We’re doing properly, figuring out there may be nonetheless a lot to enhance.”
Benfica v Madrid crew information
Proper-back Alexander Bah (knee) is out injured for Benfica. Midfielders Fredrik Aursnes (muscular) and Richard Rios (shoulder) are doubts, with winger Olivio Tome suspended.
Wideman Samuel Dahl, midfielder Dodi Lukebakio and defender Nicolas Otamendi can be banned for the second leg if they’re booked.
High scorer Kylian Mbappe was an unused substitute towards Sociedad with a knee problem however is predicted to return.
Defender Eder Militao (hamstring) and ahead Jude Bellingham (thigh) are sidelined for Madrid. Centre-back Raul Asencio and winger Rodrygo are suspended.
Left-back Alvaro Carreras, centre-back Dean Huijsen and Aurelian Tchouameni are every vulnerable to lacking the second leg, ought to they be cautioned.
Benfica v Actual Madrid predicted line ups
Benfica beginning XI: Anatoliy Trubin, Amar Dedic, Tomas Araujo, Nicolas Otamendi, Samuel Dahl, Leandro Barreiro, Enzo Barrenechea, Gianluca Prestianni, Andreas Schjelderup, Georgiy Sudakov, Vangelis Pavlidis
Actual Madrid beginning XI: Thibaut Courtois, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe
Find out how to watch Benfica v Madrid: TV channel, stay on-line stream
Kick-off on Tuesday is at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). Reside TV protection within the UK is on Amazon Prime Video.
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Benfica v Actual Madrid stats
- Earlier than this season, Benfica and Real Madrid’s conferences had been within the 1962 European Cup ultimate, which Benfica received 5-3, and the 1964/65 quarter-finals, through which Benfica received 5-1 at dwelling and misplaced 2-1 in Madrid
- Benfica have misplaced their final 5 European ties towards Spanish opposition
- Their most up-to-date such win was towards Actual Betis within the 1982/83 UEFA Cup (now the Europa League)
- The Portuguese facet have received 4 of their six European dwelling matches this season (L2)
- Earlier than dropping to Benfica, Madrid had been unbeaten in 10 successive matches towards Portuguese groups (W8 D2)
- Actual Madrid have received 10 of their final 12 two-legged ties within the Champions League
- Mbappe has 13 targets in seven European appearances this season, together with eight in his final three
- The 15-time champions are taking part within the Champions League knockout section for a twenty ninth successive season, whereas Benfica have reached this stage for the fourth time in 5 seasons
- Mourinho was Madrid boss from Could 2010 to June 2013, profitable the Copa del Rey in 2010/11 and La Liga the next season
- Carreras joined Madrid final summer time from Benfica, for whom he made 68 appearances and scored 5 targets between 2024 and 2025
