Estádio da Luz will host a decisive showdown this Wednesday. In the final round of the Champions League league phase, Benfica welcome Real Madrid needing a win to keep their qualification hopes alive, while the Spanish side are playing for a direct spot in the round of 16. The matchup also marks the Merengues’ return to the stadium where they lifted the historic La Décima back in 2014.
Benfica fight for survival
As the home team, Benfica take the field under heavy pressure. They sit 29th with eight points, and only a victory keeps their playoff hopes alive, with spots reserved for teams finishing between ninth and 24th. A loss would mean elimination from the competition.
The timing couldn’t be worse. The Eagles have lost five of their seven Champions League games this season, four of those coming since José Mourinho’s return. The Portuguese coach also brings a tough track record against Real Madrid, having faced them five times in his career without a win, one draw and four losses.
For the clash in Lisbon, Benfica could be missing key pieces. Bah, Samuel Soares, Lukebakio, Henrique Araújo and Richard Rios are all listed as likely absences.
Despite recent struggles, the Portuguese club is leaning on home-field advantage and memories from the past. While Benfica and Real Madrid have combined for 792 matches in the European Cup and Champions League, they’ve met just three times in the tournament, all in the 1960s. Benfica won two of those encounters, including a memorable 5–1 victory at Estádio da Luz in 1965.
Real Madrid aim to lock in direct qualification
Real Madrid arrive in Portugal in a more comfortable position. Sitting third with 15 points and a plus-11 goal difference, the team needs only a win to secure a direct place in the round of 16.
The trip to Estádio da Luz brings back special memories for the Spanish side. It was there, in May 2014, that the club claimed its 10th European title by beating Atlético Madrid in the final. The reunion also features José Mourinho and Álvaro Arbeloa, former partners now facing each other as rivals.
For this match, the coach will be without Rüdiger, Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão and Mendy. Even so, Real have posted strong numbers in this Champions League, leading the competition in direct attacks and goals created from those moves.
The Merengues have also fared well lately against non-English opponents, with just three losses in their last 26 games of that kind. Still fresh in the club’s memory is the 2013/14 run, when they got past Schalke, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, then coached by Pep Guardiola, before lifting the trophy in Lisbon. Now, Real return to the same stage looking to take another step toward the European knockout rounds.