Real Madrid Face Benfica in Champions League Knockout Play-Off First Leg

Europe-Asia, Sports

Spanish giants, Real Madrid, have assembled their strongest squad for tonight’s crucial UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg against Benfica at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 CET (20:00 WAT).

Benfica enter the tie with mixed form, recording three wins and five losses in recent fixtures, while Real Madrid boasts a stronger run of five wins and three losses. Statistical forecasts favour Madrid with a 49.8% chance of victory, compared to Benfica’s 25.8%, leaving room for a potential draw.

Real Madrid’s squad list, released on Monday, confirms Thibaut Courtois as the starting goalkeeper, supported by Andriy Lunin and Fran González. In defence, Dani Carvajal leads alongside David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alejandro Carreras, Fran García, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, Yorel Huijsen, and Joan Martínez.

The midfield features a dynamic mix of Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Dani Ceballos, and Thiago Cestero, tasked with supplying the forward line. Up front, Real Madrid will rely on their prolific scorer Kylian Mbappé, supported by Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo García, Brahim Díaz, and Claudio Echeverri Mastantuono.

This highly anticipated clash pits 15-time European champions Real Madrid against two-time winners Benfica, making it one of the standout fixtures of the round.