Benfica face Real Madrid at Estadio da Luz on January 28 in a must-win UEFA Champions League league phase clash. Managed by Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese side sit 29th and two points from the playoff spots, needing victory and favorable results elsewhere to advance. Real Madrid, third with 15 points, seek a win to secure automatic qualification to the last 16 under new boss Alvaro Arbeloa.
The UEFA Champions League league phase concludes on January 28 with all 36 teams playing simultaneously, heightening the drama for Benfica and Real Madrid. At Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, kick-off is at 20:00 GMT. Benfica's campaign has faltered with five losses in seven matches, including a recent 2-0 defeat to Juventus, following earlier 2-0 wins over Ajax and Napoli. Only a victory can lift them into the top 24 for playoffs, given their minus-four goal difference.
Jose Mourinho, who managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013 and won La Liga in 2012, returns to face his former club. He recently commented on inexperienced coaches managing top clubs, a subtle dig at 43-year-old Arbeloa, who took over after Xabi Alonso's sacking earlier this month. Arbeloa, a former Madrid player under Mourinho, guided the team to a 6-1 Champions League win over Monaco and a 2-0 La Liga victory at Villarreal, extending a three-match winning streak.
A win guarantees Real Madrid's top-eight finish for direct last-16 entry; a draw likely suffices due to their goal difference. They have won five of seven league-phase games and four straight away matches against Portuguese sides. Kylian Mbappe has been prolific, scoring multiple goals in the competition.
Benfica miss injured Alexander Bah, Samuel Soares, Dodi Lukebakio, and Henrique Araujo, with Richard Rios doubtful and January signings Sidny Lopes Cabral and Rafa Silva ineligible. Nicolas Otamendi nears his 100th Champions League appearance, while Vangelis Pavlidis leads the attack. Real Madrid are without Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh), Eder Militao (hamstring), Ferland Mendy (hamstring), and Antonio Rudiger (knee), but Aurelien Tchouameni returns from suspension. Alvaro Carreras faces his former club.
Predicted lineups: Benfica (4-2-3-1) - Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Barrenechea; Prestianni, Barreiro, Sudakov; Pavlidis. Real Madrid (4-3-3) - Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouameni, Bellingham, Guler; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius.
The sides last met in 1965, with Benfica holding a slight historical edge in four encounters, including the 1962 final they won 5-3. In the UK, the match airs on TNT Sports and discovery+.
