A concise preview of the Benfica vs Real Madrid first-leg playoff at Estadio da Luz, with lineups, recent history and tactical storylines ahead of kick-off on February 17, 2026.
Benfica vs Real Madrid — Champions League playoff, first leg Kick-off: 20:00 GMT, 17 Venue: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
This tie is everything the tournament promised: a crackling atmosphere in Lisbon, plenty at stake and a story that began to write itself back on 28 January.
That night, Benfica stunned Real Madrid 4-2 thanks to a stoppage‑time header from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin — a result that sent Madrid into the playoff route and left plenty of scars, not least two red cards that reduced Los Blancos to nine men.
The return fixture in Lisbon opens a two‑leg knockout that will decide who joins the round of 16.
What to expect – Format and stakes: This is a two‑leg playoff decided on aggregate. Away goals and defensive discipline will matter, and the first leg will shape how both coaches approach the second.
Advancement brings the sporting and commercial rewards of the knockout stage; failure ends a club’s Champions League campaign this season. – Atmosphere: Estadio da Luz is likely to be electric after the January drama. Benfica arrive buoyant and at home; Real Madrid offer seasoned knockout experience despite recent disruptions.
Team news and absences Benfica – Confirmation: Midfielder Fredrik Aursnes is sidelined with injury. Alexander Bah (knee), Samuel Soares (muscle) and João Veloso (shoulder) are all doubtful. – Available: Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, the scorer of that late header, is expected to start. – Likely shape: Expect Benfica to stick to a 4-2-3-1 that emphasizes quick transitions, wing play and set pieces — areas that hurt Madrid in January.
Real Madrid – Hits to selection: Jude Bellingham is out with a leg issue. Rodrygo and Raul Asencio are suspended following red cards in the Lisbon meeting. Éder Militão remains sidelined as he recovers. – Tactical lean: With those absences, Carlo Ancelotti may favour a flexible 4-2-3-1 that prioritises midfield balance. Players like Camavinga and Tchouaméni could be asked to shield the backline while Kylian Mbappé supplies the attacking spark.
Tactical subplot: attack versus control A key chess match will be how Madrid balances raw firepower with defensive structure. Deploying Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior together can overload the attack but risks leaving gaps in midfield — spaces Benfica will be keen to exploit on the counter and from set pieces. Benfica’s forward line, led by Vangelis Pavlidis with the creative Andreas Schjelderup pulling strings, is built to punish that kind of space. Expect Benfica to sit in a compact mid‑block, invite pressure and strike quickly when turnovers occur.
Implications and likely narrative – The first leg’s result will heavily influence approach to the second: a narrow Benfica win or clean sheet would allow them to protect a lead in Madrid; a Real win — especially with an away goal — would hand momentum back to the visitors. – Suspensions and fitness issues could have as much impact as tactics. Madrid must avoid further disciplinary lapses; Benfica need to manage injuries to sustain the intensity across both legs. – Coaches will fine‑tune set‑piece plans and substitution patterns. Margins will be thin and moments decisive — the kind of fixture where a single moment, like Trubin’s header in January, can redefine a campaign. Expect a tense, tactical first leg that sets the tone for a dramatic return match. Lineups and any late fitness updates will be released before kick‑off.
