Real Madrid face Benfica again: Mbappe and Alexander-Arnold lead the 4-4-2 formation.
Coach Alvaro Arbeloa is expected to use a 4-4-2 formation with the return of Kylian Mbappe and the high form of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the challenging away match in Lisbon.
The challenge in Lisbon and Alvaro Arbeloa's gamble.
Real Madrid will face a challenging away trip to Benfica's Estadio da Luz for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off round. Having previously held a significant advantage to qualify directly for the round of 16, a 2-4 defeat against the Portuguese side in the final qualifying round has pushed Alvaro Arbeloa's team into a risky playoff stage.
Fate once again brought "Los Blancos" together with Jose Mourinho's team. Real Madrid entered the match boosted by their 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga. However, Benfica were also maintaining excellent form with a five-match unbeaten streak and were particularly dangerous when playing at home.
Personnel crisis in the defense
The challenge for Real Madrid is even greater as the injury list includes key players such as Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao, and Rodrygo Goes. Raul Asencio's suspension leaves defensive options more limited than ever.
Given this situation, Arbeloa will most likely deploy a 4-4-2 formation to ensure balance. Thibaut Courtois will certainly remain the number one goalkeeper. Above him, Antonio Rudiger will partner young player Dean Huijsen in central defense. On the flanks, Alvaro Carreras will occupy the left wing, while Trent Alexander-Arnold will be the brightest star on the right.
The English defender's superb crossing ability is considered a crucial weapon for Real Madrid to unlock matches. Alexander-Arnold is in excellent form and is an irreplaceable element in Arbeloa's current style of play.
The firepower of the Vinicius-Mbappe duo.
The midfield will see adjustments with a four-man midfield. Federico Valverde will assume the captaincy on the right flank, while Eduardo Camavinga will be entrusted with the left wing. The central axis will be a combination of Aurelien Tchouameni's defensive capabilities and Arda Guler's creative thinking, who is expected to fill the void left by Bellingham.
Up front, Real Madrid will field their top-class attacking duo: Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe. Vinicius is in high spirits after his recent brace, while Mbappe returns to the starting lineup in peak physical condition after his rest. The presence of these two superstars forces Gonzalo Garcia back to the bench despite scoring last weekend. In addition, Franco Mastantuono will also be a potential trump card for the Real Madrid coaching staff in breaking down defenses.
