Boyle: Arbeloa Faces Pivotal Benfica Champions League Play-off as Real's Form and Tactics Shift
Boyle — Alvaro Arbeloa now prepares for a Champions League play-off against Benfica that could define his early tenure after a run of strong domestic results and a tactical reshuffle.
Boyle: Tactical tweaks and front‑line reshuffle under Arbeloa
Since replacing Xabi Alonso last month, Arbeloa has altered his side's setup in an attempt to steady performances following a difficult start and a less than positive reception from supporters. The coach moved away from the 4-3-3 formation used in the loss to Benfica, where the front three started as Franco Mastantuono, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. In subsequent matches Arbeloa adopted a 4-4-2, dropping Mastantuono into midfield to leave Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius and Mbappe as rotating striker options.
Arbeloa has defended the change on structural grounds, noting that the four-man midfield "closes down the midfield corridor, where there are more players, and allows us to be more compact. " He added that the setup also gives room for counter-attacking with the club's personnel. "The goal is always to be solid, " Arbeloa said, stressing the emphasis on effort, mentality and teamwork as the basis for improvement.
Stakes, recent form and the Lisbon setback
The tactical revisions come after six wins from the club's past seven matches, a run that has brought calm within the hierarchy and seen the side reach the top of La Liga. Yet the only defeat in that sequence was the 4-2 loss to Benfica, a result that forced a play-off against the same opponents to remain in European competition. That setback in Lisbon remains central to the story: failure to reach at least the last 16 would be an outcome many view as unthinkable for the club, especially given its recent domestic momentum.
There is a second leg at home scheduled for Wednesday, 25 February (ET), which gives Arbeloa and his players a chance to overturn the earlier result. The club previously undertook contingency planning after the slow start, even drawing up potential replacement options in case another change became necessary. That planning included exploring candidates should the situation demand it, underscoring how pivotal the current Champions League tie has become for Arbeloa's short spell in charge.
What to watch in the play-off
Key matters to monitor in the upcoming play-off include how consistently the team executes the 4-4-2 shape, whether the midfield compactness Arbeloa described can blunt Benfica's attacking threat, and how rotating the striker options affects cohesion in the final third. The manager has highlighted defensive solidity and high pressing as priorities; the extent to which those aims are achieved will likely influence verdicts on his approach.
With a recent sequence of strong results offset by the damaging Lisbon loss, the play-off against Benfica represents a clear test of whether the tactical adjustments and improved mentality translate into European progress — and whether Arbeloa can maintain the growing calm around the club or see pressure return if elimination follows.
