SL Benfica are set to host Real Madrid for the second time in a matter of weeks as both sides prepare for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie.
SL Benfica and Real Madrid previously met on Matchday eight of the league phase, where the Portuguese outfit scripted an impressive victory that sealed their place in the play-offs. That defeat, meanwhile, proved costly for Real Madrid, dropping them from an automatic Last 16 spot into a play-off clash.
Now both teams are set to meet again at the iconic Estadio da Luz on Tuesday evening for the first leg of this high-voltage tie. Jose Mourinho will be looking to script another historic win, while Alvaro Arbeloa’s team will look to avenge the defeat from last time out.
Benfica are third in their domestic league. While their overall form has been decent, they certainly had to struggle a lot to make it to the knockout round of the Champions League. Following their win over Real Madrid in Matchday eight, the Portuguese outfit finished 24th in the league phase with nine points in eight outings.
Benfica have been unbeaten in their last five fixtures, and they are heading into this game on the back of consecutive wins in the league. The home side will certainly be confident about their chances.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have been in fine form in La Liga, as they are very much in the mix for the title. The Merengues were on the verge of securing a spot in the last 16; however, the defeat to Benfica saw them drop down to ninth on the table with 15 points in their nine outings.
Since that defeat at the hands of Benfica, Real Madrid have won each of their last three league outings. They are heading into this on the back of a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad and are certainly confident about their chances. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
SL Benfica
While Alexander Bah has recovered from the ligament injury, and Richard Rios is back from a shoulder injury, this fixture has come a touch too early for the duo. Fredrik Aursnes (muscle) is all set to miss out, while Joao Veloso and Samuel Soares (muscle) are major doubts.
Jose Mourinho’s team will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Anatoliy Trubin will take charge in goal. Amar Dedic and Samuel Dahl will feature as the full-backs, while Nicolas Otamendi will start alongside Tomas Araujo in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Enzo Barrenechea and Leandro Barreiro will form the double pivot in the middle of the park. They will look to shield the backline and create opportunities to hit Real Madrid on the break.
Gianluca Prestianni and Andreas Schjelderup will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Georgiy Sudakov will take up the number ten role, while Vangelis Pavlidis will lead the line for Benfica against Real Madrid.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Barreiro, Barrenechea; Prestianni, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis
Real Madrid
Alvaro Arbeloa’s Real Madrid have received a massive boost ahead of this tie, as Kylian Mbappe is now a hundred per cent and set to start against Benfica. However, Raul Asencio and Rodrygo are both suspended for this fixture. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham and Eder Militao both remain on the sidelines with hamstring issues.
The team in white are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras will feature as the full-backs, while Antonio Rudiger should pair up with Dean Huijsen in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Aurelien Tchouameni will take up the holding role, while Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga will feature as the two central midfielders in the centre of the park. The trio will look to control the tempo and ensure they run the show.
Finally, Vinicius Junior and Arda Guler could feature on the flanks, with Mbappe set to spearhead the Real Madrid attack against SL Benfica on Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Key Stats
- Jose Mourinho’s team have won three out of their last five games across competitions.
- Benfica’s last five games in the UEFA Champions League have produced decisive results (W3 L2).
- Real Madrid have won four out of their last five outings in all competitions.
- The team in white bagged 21 goals in their 8 league phase outings.
- Real Madrid have lost three out of their last five Champions League games, something that isn’t really expected from a team of their pedigree.
Player to Watch
Arda Guler
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While all eyes will be on Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, Arda Guler might be the one who ends up having a big say on the end result. With Jude Bellingham out injured, the Turkish international is the creator of the team, and a lot of their attacks will begin through him.
Earlier in the season, when Bellingham was not around, Guler certainly did help the team cope with his absence, and they are hoping for something similar from him. The 20-year-old has 15 goal contributions this term, and he will be eager to add to his tally against Benfica.
Prediction
SL Benfica 1-3 Real Madrid
SL Benfica will look to make life difficult for Real Madrid once again, especially with the backing of the home crowd. The Portuguese giants are in good form, and they have already shown they can hurt Los Blancos, but this first leg is likely to be a far more cautious affair, with Benfica focusing on staying compact and striking on the counter.
That said, Real Madrid arrive with momentum and a point to prove after their previous defeat. With Kylian Mbappe back to full fitness and more control expected in midfield, Real Madrid should have enough quality to edge the contest.
Benfica may enjoy spells of pressure, but Real Madrid’s experience in knockout football could see them leave Lisbon with a valuable first-leg advantage. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the away team.