Real Madrid face Benfica in Lisbon today for the first leg of their Champions League play-off. Alvaro Arbeloa's side enters the tie after a challenging start to his tenure as manager, appointed on January 12, 2026.
This fixture is crucial for Real Madrid, who were forced into the play-off round after a 4-2 defeat to Benfica in the league phase on January 28. Benfica's goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, scored a 98th-minute goal in that match, denying Real automatic qualification.
Jose Mourinho, Benfica's manager since September 2025, expressed confidence his team does not need a miracle to progress, but must be at their absolute best. Arbeloa, whose team has shown an upturn in form with a three-game winning run, has called for a complete 90-minute performance from his players.
