How Will Real Madrid Lineup Against Benfica? Arbeloa’s Revenge

When the Champions League anthem echoes through the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday, it will not just be a melody; it will be a battle cry. For Real Madrid, this is not just a playoff fixture; it's a reckoning.

Just weeks ago, the "Eagles" of Lisbon did not just ruffle the feathers of the Kings of Europe; they plucked them clean in a shocking 4-2 defeat that sent shockwaves from Portugal to the Spanish capital. Now, Alvaro Arbeloa leads his squad back to the scene of the crime, seeking a dish of revenge served cold under the floodlights.

A Night to Forget in Lisbon

The wounds are still fresh. In the final matchday of the Champions League league phase, Real Madrid arrived in Lisbon needing a result to secure direct qualification for the Round of 16. Instead, they were met by a clinical Benfica side led by the ever-tactical Jose Mourinho.

A dramatic 98th-minute header by Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin sealed a 4-2 victory for the hosts, a result so improbable it felt scripted. That loss did not just hurt Madrid’s pride; it tumbled them to 9th place, forcing them into this gruelling two-legged playoff path. For a club that considers the Champions League its birthright, being denied direct entry was a bitter pill to swallow. Fans are desperate to see the Real Madrid vs Benfica rivalry swing back in favour of the Spanish giants tonight.

Form: Momentum vs. Resilience

Under the guidance of Alvaro Arbeloa, Los Blancos have been a juggernaut in La Liga. They are currently on an eight-game winning streak domestically, most recently dismantling Real Sociedad 4-1. The team has found a lethal balance, with Kylian Mbappe already reaching a staggering 39 goals for the season across all competitions.
Jose Mourinho has turned the Estadio da Luz into a fortress. Benfica are unbeaten in their last three matches since that historic win over Madrid, including a hard-fought victory against Santa Clara. With Vangelis Pavlidis in world-class form (29 goals this season), they have the firepower to punish any defensive lapse in the Real Madrid vs Benfica clash.

The "Barcelona Boost": Madrid Take the Lead

Madrid arrived in Portugal with an extra spring in their step thanks to a gift from their neighbours.

On Monday night, Barcelona fell 2-1 to Girona in a shocking upset. Lamine Yamal’s missed penalty proved costly, leaving Barca two points behind Madrid in the La Liga title race.

With the domestic lead now firmly in their hands, Arbeloa’s men can focus their full intensity on European redemption without the immediate pressure of chasing their rivals at home. This shift in momentum will likely be reflected in the Real Madrid lineup today.

Real Madrid Starting Lineup

Here's a look at the predicted Real Madrid lineup that Alvaro Arbeloa can field tonight against Benfica.

Real Madrid Predicted XI (4-4-2):

Goalkeeper: Courtois

Defenders: Trent, Huijsen, Rudiger, Carreras

Midfielders: Valverde, Guler, Tchouameni, Camavinga

Attackers: Vini Jr, Mbappe

This Real Madrid lineup today balances defensive stability with the explosive pace needed to break Mourinho's disciplined block.

List of Real Madrid Injuries and Suspensions

Several big names will miss out on Tuesday night, as they will not make it to the Real Madrid lineup today. Here is the complete list of Real Madrid injuries and players who will not participate in Real Madrid lineup vs Benfica.

• Eder Militao (Tendon injury)
• Raul Asencio (Suspended)
• Jude Bellingham (Hamstring injury)
• Rodrygo (Hamstring injury)