Real Madrid will be without Kylian Mbappe for the Champions League playoff second leg with Benfica, leaving Vinicius Jr and squad rotation to bear the attacking burden as injuries and bans complicate selection
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The second leg of this Champions League playoff between Real Madrid and Benfica arrives at the Santiago Bernabeu with tension running high after a controversial first meeting in Lisbon. Madrid carry a narrow 1-0 advantage but must cope with a number of absentees, most notably Kylian Mbappe, who has been left out of the matchday squad after aggravating a prior knee problem in training.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday February 25, 2026.
Beyond the scoreline, the tie has been dominated by off-field issues: allegations of racial abuse levelled against Benfica youngster Gianluca Prestianni following the first leg, a subsequent UEFA provisional suspension for Prestianni, and a touchline ban that will prevent Jose Mourinho from taking his usual place in the dugout.
These developments have intensified the spotlight on the fixture and placed extra emotional pressure on both squads.
Team news and selection headaches
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa must reorganise his squad in light of multiple setbacks. Mbappe is absent after a knee inflammation surfaced in training, while the club also list Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos, and Eder Militao as injured.
Centre-back Dean Huijsen remains a doubt with a calf issue. On top of those injury problems, forward Rodrygo is suspended for this second leg after a sending-off in the group stage match against Benfica last month.
With those constraints, Madrid are expected to hand opportunities to other attacking options. A likely starting XI being discussed around the club features Thibaut Courtois in goal, a defensive unit including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio, and a midfield shaped around Federico Valverde, Tchouameni and Camavinga. Upfront, Vinicius Jr is set to spearhead the attack alongside Gonzalo Garcia, a selection that would give the Brazilian license to press and create.
Benfica reaction and disciplinary backdrop
Benfica travel to Madrid without Gianluca Prestianni, who has been provisionally suspended by UEFA while investigations into alleged racial abuse of Vinicius Jr continue. The incident from the first leg — which ended 1-0 to Madrid thanks to a superb Vinicius strike — has fuelled a heated exchange between both camps. Mourinho, himself suspended and unable to sit on the bench after his dismissal in Lisbon, has been critical of aspects of Madrid’s celebrations and the officiating, but the Portuguese coach insists his club is not defined by racism.
Real Madrid’s coaching staff have urged governing bodies to translate anti-racism statements into meaningful action. Arbeloa described the moment as a chance for UEFA to move beyond platitudes and take decisive steps. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois publicly disagreed with Mourinho’s comments about Vinicius’s goal celebration, defending his teammate and underlining the need to separate celebration from allegations of abuse.
On the pitch: tactical notes
Tactically, Madrid are likely to adopt a balanced approach that protects their slender aggregate lead while still seeking to break down a motivated Benfica side. Expect a focus on controlling midfield through the double pivot of Tchouameni and Camavinga with Valverde providing transitions. The absence of regular starters forces Arbeloa to rely on squad depth and rotation, making game management and substitutions particularly significant.
Benfica’s plan without Prestianni
Benfica will have to compensate for Prestianni’s absence by tweaking their attacking setup; Richard Rios is one candidate to fill midfield gaps left by the suspension. Up front, the Portuguese side will look to Vangelis Pavlidis, who has been prolific all season, to provide the finishing touch. The visitors will also try to exploit set-piece situations and moments of transition to unsettle Madrid’s makeshift defensive line.
Match context and what to expect
Beyond immediate team selection, this fixture carries broader implications. A Madrid win or draw will see them progress while Benfica must overturn the one-goal deficit — a task complicated by the hostile Bernabeu atmosphere and the absence of key personnel. The emotional undercurrent from the racial abuse allegation adds an extra layer: UEFA’s outcome could influence the tone of the encounter and the reactions after the final whistle.
Fans can expect a heated, closely contested match with tactical adjustments from both sides. With the aggregate score so tight, game management, substitutions and discipline will likely determine who reaches the last 16. The predicted starting XI circulating in previews lists: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Asencio, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Guler, Vinicius Jr, Garcia — though the final team sheet will confirm Arbeloa’s chosen path.
Kick-off is set for 8pm GMT on Wednesday February 25, 2026. Given the stakes, expect intense atmosphere, strategic caution in the opening exchanges, and potentially dramatic moments as both sides fight to control the narrative on and off the pitch.
