Benfica v Real Madrid preview
Less than three weeks after goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin sent Benfica to the Champions League knockout phase play-offs with a 98th-minute goal at home to Real Madrid, the former European champions visit the Estadio da Luz again in the first leg of a tie to reach the last 16.
Trubin’s header extended the Portuguese giants’ European season courtesy of goal difference in one of the all-time great moments in the competition. “We know what we did to the kings of the Champions League,” said Eagles manager Jose Mourinho.
“We will play the first leg with our heads, with ambition and confidence. Trubin won’t be in the attack this time.
“I’m very used to these kinds of ties, I’ve been doing it all my life. People often think you need a certain result in the first leg for this or that reason. I say there is no definitive result.
“I don’t think it takes a miracle for Benfica to eliminate Real Madrid. We need to be at our highest level – I don’t even say high, I mean maximum and almost bordering on perfection, which does not exist.
“But not a miracle. Real Madrid are Real Madrid, with history, knowledge, ambition. The only comparable thing is that we are two giant clubs.
“Beyond that, there is nothing else. Football has this power, and we can win.”
Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa guided his side to a 4-1 home win over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday and is wary of another defeat at Benfica despite Los Blancos maintaining their title challenge in style.
“I hope history does not repeat itself,” said Arbeloa. “We are prepared for the difficulty of the match, the opponents, the atmosphere and what awaits us on Tuesday.
’”It’s 180 minutes and we have to play a great game there. We cannot settle for just any result; we have to go out to win. We have [the defeat] very fresh in our minds, so we know how complicated it will be.”
Arbeloa appeared to suggest that he will persist with a 4-4-2 formation. “Defensively, it is a structure not only used by us but also by many teams because it closes the central corridor, where you have the most players, and allows you to stay more compact,” he explained.
“With the type of players we have, if we want to counter-attack, it allows us to do so with two players up front.
“We have a lot of room for improvement. Above all, I am very happy because beyond the systems, effort, teamwork, mentality, and team spirit are fundamental. We are doing well, knowing there is still much to improve.”
Benfica v Madrid team news
Right-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 be banned for the second leg if they are booked.
Top scorer Kylian Mbappe was an unused substitute against Sociedad with a knee issue but is expected to return.
Defender Eder Militao (hamstring) and forward 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 each at risk of missing the second leg, should they be cautioned.
Benfica v Real Madrid predicted line ups
Benfica starting XI: Anatoliy Trubin, Amar Dedic, Tomas Araujo, Nicolas Otamendi, Samuel Dahl, Leandro Barreiro, Enzo Barrenechea, Gianluca Prestianni, Andreas Schjelderup, Georgiy Sudakov, Vangelis Pavlidis
Real Madrid starting XI: Thibaut Courtois, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe
How to watch Benfica v Madrid: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Tuesday is at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). Live TV coverage in the UK is on Amazon Prime Video.
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Benfica v Real Madrid stats
- Before this season, Benfica and Real Madrid’s meetings had been in the 1962 European Cup final, which Benfica won 5-3, and the 1964/65 quarter-finals, in which Benfica won 5-1 at home and lost 2-1 in Madrid
- Benfica have lost their last five European ties against Spanish opposition
- Their most recent such win was against Real Betis in the 1982/83 UEFA Cup (now the Europa League)
- The Portuguese side have won four of their six European home matches this season (L2)
- Before losing to Benfica, Madrid were unbeaten in 10 successive matches against Portuguese teams (W8 D2)
- Real Madrid have won 10 of their last 12 two-legged ties in the Champions League
- Mbappe has 13 goals in seven European appearances this season, including eight in his last three
- The 15-time champions are participating in the Champions League knockout phase for a 29th successive season, while Benfica have reached this stage for the fourth time in five seasons
- Mourinho was Madrid boss from May 2010 to June 2013, winning the Copa del Rey in 2010/11 and La Liga the following season
- Carreras joined Madrid last summer from Benfica, for whom he made 68 appearances and scored five goals between 2024 and 2025
