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 objective 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 objective 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,” stated Eagles supervisor Jose Mourinho.
“We’ll 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. Folks usually suppose you want a sure end result within the first leg for this or that motive. I say there isn’t any definitive end result.
“I don’t suppose it takes a miracle for Benfica to remove Actual Madrid. We should be at our highest degree – I don’t even say excessive, I imply most and virtually bordering on perfection, which doesn’t exist.
“However not a miracle. Actual Madrid are Actual Madrid, with historical past, data, ambition. The one comparable factor is that we’re two large golf equipment.
“Past that, there may be nothing else. Soccer has this energy, and we will 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 type.
“I hope historical past doesn’t repeat itself,” stated Arbeloa. “We’re ready for the problem of the match, the opponents, the environment and what awaits us on Tuesday.
’”It’s 180 minutes and we’ve to play an incredible sport there. We can’t accept simply any end result; we’ve to exit to win. We have now [the defeat] very contemporary in our minds, so we all know how sophisticated will probably be.”
Arbeloa appeared to recommend 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 could have essentially the most gamers, and permits you to keep extra compact,” he defined.
“With the kind of gamers we’ve, if we wish to counter-attack, it permits us to take action with two gamers up entrance.
“We have now lots of room for enchancment. Above all, I’m very blissful as a result of past the techniques, effort, teamwork, mentality, and workforce spirit are basic. We’re doing properly, figuring out there may be nonetheless a lot to enhance.”
Benfica v Madrid workforce 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 will likely be banned for the second leg if they’re booked.
Prime scorer Kylian Mbappe was an unused substitute in opposition to Sociedad with a knee concern 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 liable 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
The best way to watch Benfica v Madrid: TV channel, dwell on-line stream
Kick-off on Tuesday is at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). Dwell TV protection within the UK is on Amazon Prime Video.
A Prime Video membership is £8.99 monthly or £95 per 12 months paid yearly, with a half-price provide for followers aged between 18 and 22.
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Benfica v Actual Madrid stats
- Earlier than this season, Benfica and Actual 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 in opposition to Spanish opposition
- Their most up-to-date such win was in opposition to 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 in opposition to 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, successful the Copa del Rey in 2010/11 and La Liga the next season
- Carreras joined Madrid final summer season from Benfica, for whom he made 68 appearances and scored 5 targets between 2024 and 2025
