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Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Benfica | UEFA Champions League Playoff Leg 2
Real Madrid were not meant to have had the two added games in February, but a defeat to Benfica in Portugal at the end of last month changed it all.
Not only did the Merengues drop out of the top-8 as a result, but they also drew up the same opponent in the resulting playoff and the first-leg last week was dramatic beyond limit.
Now, they play host to Benfica for their third meeting this season, and this time there is a lot at stake.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s men have a one-goal lead from Lisbon, but that may not count for much after the opening whistle sounds at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Benfica.
A high-tension affair
After the events in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff last week, it is clear that the game tonight will have tensions running at an all-time high.
While the game was white mundane until the hour mark, matters escalated after Vinicius Jr. scored the opening goal.
His celebration to fire up the atmosphere, Gianluca Prestianni’s alleged racist abuse to Jose Mourinho’s fiery comments after the game – everything served to amp the tension up after that point.
The past week, in fact, has seen global media extensively debate only on the incidents on the night in Lisbon, and it is clear that both Real Madrid and Benfica see themselves to be the aggrieved party.
UEFA have taken a big step by suspending Prestianni from the second leg, and that may serve to boil down the obvious friction on the field.
Yet, it is safe to say that the game will hold significant tension even between the remaining players on the field, especially given that Vinicius will be featuring as the protagonist on the night.
The game, thus, will be played with high intensity, purpose and drive and Benfica will come out all guns blazing with ruthless challenges and physicality and it is essential that Real Madrid be ready for the same.
Mbappe missing
When Alvaro Arbeloa spoke to the media in his pre-match press conference, he was confident that Kylian Mbappe would be available to start and contribute to the team’s objective in the UCL.
A lot, however, has changed overnight, and the Frenchman is now ruled out not only for the game against Benfica but likely even the team’s next two outings after that.
Mbappe has been playing through severe knee pain for a while now, and it has reached a point where he does not see it as sustainable to push through. It is in the player and the club’s best interests but it is a massive blow for the manager’s plans.
The World Cup winner has been one of Real Madrid’s bright spots this season and the team has primarily run on his attacking brilliance for most of the campaign.
Heading into the second leg with just a one-goal lead and Mbappe unavailable comes as a massive blow.
Gonzalo Garcia is expected to start in Mbappe’s place tomorrow and will look to pitch in with a goal or two to continue his good performances.
The objective, however, is significantly complicated and impacted by Mbappe’s absence.
90 minutes to stay alive
Having been defeated by Osasuna just at the weekend, this is the last time Real Madrid would wish to be playing a must-win fixture in the UEFA Champions League. Yet, here they are and with their own doing.
Placed comfortably to finish in the top-8, Real Madrid lost to Benfica on the given match day of the league phase and dropped into the playoff zone. Now, they take on the same opponent, only the consequences are much worse.
The 90 minutes on Wednesday night will decide who progresses to the knockouts and whose campaign ends right at this stage, and Real Madrid have no options but to win or at least draw on the night to progress.
Yet, the fact that they faltered against the same opponent in their last seemingly must-win game only makes it more complicated.
Real Madrid will have the home advantage on the night and will look to utilise it to the maximum.
Concurrently, however, that also adds pressure on them, considering how they are on the edge with the Santiago Bernabeu crowd as well.
A defeat tonight and elimination from the competition, and they will never hear the end of it from the supporters.
Real Madrid head into the game as favourites, with pressure from fans across the globe, fans in the stadium, the weight of the badge and after a recent defeat. Ninety minutes of football will decide the outcome of the season.
Real Madrid made a mess of their game against Elche last night, and it is clear that the men in white have several flaws with no answers at the moment.
From being 2-0 up, the men in white bottled their lead and threw the game into jeopardy by permitting Elche to score two goals. The result, as many saw it, was set to end in a draw.
With some persistent attacks in the dying minutes, however, Real Madrid managed to build pressure on Elche and eventually scored one more goal at the death to take home the three points.
Needless to say, however, the negatives from the game far outweigh the positive news of the three points.
Madrid Universal brings you three takeaways from Elche 2-3 Real Madrid.
Another second-half collapse
After Real Madrid’s win over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, Jose Mourinho stressed the fact that Real Madrid actually played only one half and that the fatigue began showing after the break.
On the night, the opposition began to enjoy more dominance and create chances after half-time as they outran and outpressed Los Blancos to good effect.
Last night was no different, and the second half went completely awry.
The men in white entered the half-time break cruising with a 2-0 lead and significant dominance over the proceedings. They had a massive xG, with Elche barely creating any chances of note.
After the break, however, the entire dynamic of the game changed as Real Madrid took a step back and handed the impetus to the hosts. Pressing high and attacking without fear, Elche dominated Real Madrid for most of the second half and had a staggering 60% of possession.
They scored twice – in the 71st and 83rd minutes – and equalised Real Madrid on the night. Given the visitors’ shambolic display, it was deserved for Elche.
At this point, the constant second-half collapses and fatigue struggles of the team after just 45 minutes of action must worry Jose Mourinho immensely. Heading into a derby away from home, Real Madrid have to do much better.
The away curse continues
While Real Madrid’s form at home has been imperious this season, their form away from home has been equally shocking.
They began their season with a last-minute win over Espanyol, and their second league game of the season on the road came against Real Betis and ended in defeat.
Heading into their third away game last night, there was an element of worry about how they would perform, and the trend continued once more.
Real Madrid did well to take the lead on the night, but they made the second half a massive war and far more difficult than it should have been.
At this point, serious questions have to be raised about Real Madrid’s form on the road and their inability to keep games under control when playing in away stadiums.
Heading forward in the season, Los Blancos have some massive away games coming up against far more difficult opposition. The Madrid derby is up next, and the team’s form is nothing promising heading into that fixture.
Carlos Espi saves the day… again!
Real Madrid are currently on 15 points after six games in the league, but Carlos Espi has directly contributed to a massive chunk of that.
If not for the new Spanish striker’s ability to come up clutch in big moments, Real Madrid could well have been on just 11 points at this stage in the season, and the four points he has added are absolutely crucial.
Against Espanyol, it was Espi who scored a stoppage-time winner to hand Real Madrid all three points after a complicated match. Last night, he repeated the same heroics once more.
With the team staring at a draw, the new signing was at the right place at the right time to bury Kylian Mbappe’s assist in stoppage time, handing Real Madrid all three points at the death.
He may not have played a large part on the night, but his cameo was again powerful and it is clear that he elevates the team’s attack and provides new solutions in front of goal. Espi has already proven his talent, and his ability to perform under pressure is what makes him special.
