Real Madrid - Benfica: Live Champions League playoff — Mbappe a serious doubt as Prestianni suspended
The latest Real Madrid - Benfica showdown arrives with high stakes: Real Madrid travel into the second leg holding a 1-0 aggregate lead, Benfica are missing a forward through a provisional suspension, and Real Madrid face uncertainty over a key attacking player's fitness. These developments shape what is expected to be a charged decider at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid - Benfica: Match context and pregame flashpoints
Real Madrid enter the second leg up 1-0 after a superb second-half strike at Estádio da Luz. The first meeting was a heated affair, which included an allegation of racist abuse directed at Vinícius Júnior by a Benfica player; that player has been provisionally suspended by UEFA for the upcoming match. In the wake of that disciplinary move, a Real Madrid coach praised Vinícius Júnior's character and strength.
The first leg also left disciplinary consequences beyond the provisional suspension. Benfica's manager will not be on the touchline for the return match after being sent off late in the opening leg. The Bernabeu crowd has been vocal in build-up: a banner reading "No to racism" was displayed in the home end, the Champions League anthem drew audible jeers from some fans, and stadium atmosphere is described as fired up for the decider.
Lineups, early moments and in-game detail
Match coverage tracking the second leg captured early intensity from both sides. Madrid started with clear intent, a defensive tackle from Carreras stopping a Benfica run early on. Vinícius Júnior received a hostile reception when he first touched the ball. The referee leading the teams out is named in pregame listings, and the scoreboard showed Real Madrid 0-0 Benfica early in the match with Madrid maintaining a 1-0 advantage on aggregate.
Benfica's starting XI for the tie included the following group:
- Anatoliy Trubin (goalkeeper)
- Samuel Dahl
- Nicolas Otamendi (captain)
- Tomas Araujo
- Amar Dedic
- Leandro Barreiro
- Richard Rios
- Andreas Schjelderup
- Rafa Silva
- Fredrik Aursnes
- Vangelis Pavlidis
Benfica made lineup changes from their recent domestic victory, with several regulars moved to the bench and others brought into the starting eleven for the Bernabeu visit.
Mbappe a serious doubt for the Real Madrid - Benfica decider
Kylian Mbappe is described as a serious doubt for the decider due to ongoing discomfort in his left knee. The player has been managing knee pain since December and has missed several matches this season because of it, though he did play the full 90 minutes in Madrid's last two matches, including the first leg victory in Lisbon.
Concerns increased after a training session where Mbappe appeared to be in discomfort toward the end, prompting club staff to be pessimistic about his chances of recovery. A final decision on his participation is set for Wednesday following discussions between Mbappe and head coach Alvaro Arbeloa. The head coach has stated that the player is "ready to play" while acknowledging ongoing discomfort.
What to watch next and immediate implications
Key factors that will determine the outcome include whether Real Madrid can field their full attacking complement, how the home atmosphere influences the match, and how Benfica adapts to the enforced absence of the provisionally suspended forward. Disciplinary and fitness developments remain fluid: the suspended player will miss the second leg, and the final call on the injured forward will come only after the pre-match conversations and medical assessment.
Expect a tightly contested tie where small margins and off-field events continue to play a significant role. Recent match-day intensity and the fitness question over a leading attacker make this one of the more unpredictable playoff deciders in the current Champions League round.
