Arbeloa's Madrid return to Lisbon fortress for crucial European clash with Mourinho's Benfica
Real Madrid aim to secure top-8 qualification in the Champions League against a desperate Benfica side managed by José Mourinho in a return to the stadium where La Décima was won.
Real Madrid head back to Lisbon’s hallowed turf – the very stadium where they clinched La Décima – for what Álvaro Arbeloa is treating as another ‘final’ in their European campaign.
Madrid targeting top-8 finish
The Spanish giants visit José Mourinho’s Benfica with qualification for the top-8 nearly secured but still requiring confirmation. Depending on other results in the final matchday, a draw might be enough for Los Blancos, but Arbeloa’s men are hunting another victory to extend their winning streak and firmly put their earlier crisis in the rearview mirror.
This European clash represents another opportunity to strengthen the new Arbeloa era after the gaffer has steadied what was looking like a sinking ship just weeks ago.
Team news
The visitors will have to cope without several key defenders:
- Rüdiger (injured)
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (injured)
- Militão (injured)
- Mendy (injured)
On the positive side, Arbeloa welcomes back Tchouaméni after missing the Villarreal match, which will force at least one change to the starting lineup. Camavinga looks most likely to make way for his French compatriot, while the rest of the eleven should remain unchanged from the weekend victory.
Both Mastantuono and Güler appear to have cemented their places in the starting team – proper Bobby Dazzlers those two have been lately.
Desperate Benfica
Mourinho’s side are in a right two and eight, approaching this final group match with far more urgency than their opponents. The Portuguese outfit has one foot out of the Champions League door and can only hope to win and pray other results go their way.
With just six points from seven matches (W2 L5), Benfica will be missing Richard Rios and João Veloso for this crucial encounter.
Probable lineups
Benfica (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedic, Otamendi, Tomás Araújo, Dahl; Barrenechea, Barreiro; Prestianni, Sudakov, Aursnes; Pavlidis
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Güler, Bellingham; Mastantuono, Mbappé, Vinicius