Real Madrid Faces Benfica in Champions League Playoff: Team News and Lineups
Real Madrid is set to face Benfica in the UEFA Champions League playoff at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal. This highly anticipated match will take place on Tuesday, February 17, at 8 PM GMT. Fans can follow the action live via Al Jazeera Sport.
Background of the Match
The playoff round features some of Europe’s top clubs, with Real Madrid and Benfica highlighting the competition’s excitement. This matchup has extra significance, as it marks a reunion for Benfica’s manager, José Mourinho, who previously managed Real Madrid.
In the recent group stage, Benfica significantly impacted Real Madrid’s campaign. On January 28, 2023, Benfica secured a stunning 4-2 victory over Los Blancos, courtesy of a last-minute goal by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. This result dropped Real Madrid out of the automatic qualifying positions for the round of 16.
Recent Performances
- Benfica’s victory has revitalized their season; they finished the group phase ranked 24th out of 36 teams.
- Since beginning the stage poorly, they turned around their results, winning three of their last four matches.
- Real Madrid experienced a setback in their last match, concluding the game with nine players following dismissals.
Coach and Player Insights
Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid’s star forward, expressed disappointment following the loss to Benfica. He acknowledged the need for his team to become more consistent if they hope to reclaim their status in the competition. Mbappé stated, “We deserve to be in this situation. Benfica were better.”
Benfica’s Team News
Benfica enters the match with a nearly full-strength lineup. Vangelis Pavlidis will lead the attack, complemented by Andreas Schjelderup, who scored two goals against Madrid in their last encounter. However, they will miss midfielder Fredrik Aursnes due to injury.
| Predicted Starting XI (4-2-3-1) |
|---|
| Trubin (GK); Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Barreiro, Barrenechea; Prestianni, Schjelderup, Sudakov; Pavlidis |
Real Madrid’s Team News
Real Madrid, on the other hand, welcomes Mbappé back to the lineup, which is a boost for coach Álvaro Arbeloa. However, Jude Bellingham remains unavailable due to leg injury. The squad is further depleted by the suspensions of Asencio and Rodrygo.
| Predicted Starting XI (4-2-3-1) |
|---|
| Courtois (GK); Carreras, Huijsen, Rudiger, Alexander-Arnold; Camavinga, Tchouameni; Valverde, Vinicius, Guler; Mbappé |
Historical Context
This playoff matchup marks a significant moment in both clubs’ storied histories. Real Madrid holds the record for the most UEFA Champions League titles with 15, while Benfica has lifted the trophy twice during its golden era in the 1960s.
Upcoming Schedule
The Champions League knockout stages will continue with the second leg of the round of 16 scheduled for March 17-18, culminating in the final on May 30 at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
This exciting clash between Benfica and Real Madrid promises to be one for the ages, with both teams seeking to secure their place in the next round of the UEFA Champions League.
