Real Madrid vs Benfica: Champions League Playoff Showdown Comes to the Bernabéu Amid Racism Controversy

The second leg of one in every of Europe’s most charged knockout ties ideas off tonight on the Santiago Bernabéu, as Actual Madrid look to finish their passage to the Champions League final 16 towards a Benfica aspect determined for redemption — and revenge.

UEFA Champions League – Knockout Spherical Play-offs

Actual Madrid 2 – 1 Benfica

(Agg 3-1) FT

Actual Madrid enter the tie carrying a slender however essential 1-0 mixture lead, courtesy of an excellent Vinícius Júnior strike in Lisbon final week. The Brazilian lower into the field from the left flank and unleashed an excellent strike that flew into the highest nook simply 5 minutes into the second half. But what ought to have been celebrated as a high quality particular person show was virtually instantly overshadowed by a far darker story.

The Racism Controversy That Outlined the First Leg

After celebrating in entrance of the house followers, Vinícius turned all of a sudden and visibly upset and instantly knowledgeable the referee, accusing a member of the Benfica staff of constructing a racist remark. The referee paused the sport in keeping with UEFA laws, and it appeared at one stage that the primary leg in Lisbon wouldn’t be capable of proceed.

The participant on the centre of the allegation is Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni. Prestianni denied he used racist language through the match, however reportedly informed UEFA that he used an anti-gay slur through the trade. UEFA has since provisionally suspended him and dismissed Benfica’s enchantment, that means he’ll play no half tonight. Vinícius wrote that “racists are above all cowards” on social media after the sport.

There have been but extra stoppages on the finish of an unpleasant night time when water bottles and different missiles rained down on Actual’s gamers from residence followers within the closing minutes.

Mourinho Banned, Mbappe Out

The drama doesn’t finish there. Benfica coach José Mourinho, who can also be suspended for the second leg, has come beneath hearth for criticising Vinícius for his effusive objective celebration. Mourinho, who has not set foot within the Santiago Bernabéu since leaving Actual Madrid in 2013, was despatched off through the first leg for making vituperative complaints concerning the officers from the touchline.

“I can’t talk with the staff,” Mourinho mentioned. “It’s exhausting for me, however my teammates and my assistants are there. They’ll do their job.”

On the Actual Madrid aspect, the night time’s largest absentee is Kylian Mbappé. The star ahead suffered a setback in his left knee throughout Tuesday’s coaching session, prompting the choice to rule him out fully — he received’t even be obtainable instead. He had supplied the help for Vinícius’s objective within the first leg.

Additionally unavailable for Madrid are Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos, Eder Militao, and Rodrygo, whereas centre again Dean Huijsen is a significant doubt after lacking the weekend’s La Liga defeat at Osasuna with a muscular downside.

The Lineups

Actual Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa has named a 4-4-2 squad for tonight: Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asensio, Antonio Rüdiger, Alvaro Carreras; Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, Aurelien Chouamen, Eduardo Camavinga; Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius Jr.

Benfica, in the meantime, line up of their acquainted 4-2-3-1: Anatoliy Trubin; Tomás Araújo, Nicolás Otamendi, Samuel Dahl, Amar Dedic; Richard Rios, Leandro Barreiro; Rafa Silva, Andreas Schjelderup, Fredrik Aursnes; Vangelis Pavlidis.

A Story of Two Golf equipment in Contrasting Type

Benfica arrive on the Bernabéu having misplaced solely one in every of their final seven matches — that being the primary leg — with a report that additionally contains 5 wins and one draw. Vangelis Pavlidis is their prime scorer with 28 targets in all competitions.

The historical past between these two golf equipment stretches again to the golden period of European soccer. One of the crucial memorable clashes occurred within the 1961/62 European Cup Closing, the place Benfica defeated Actual Madrid 5-3 in a legendary match that symbolised the rise of the Portuguese aspect on the continental stage. Benfica have received each of their modern-era conferences with Madrid this season, earlier than the playoff started.

What’s at Stake

The winner of this tie will advance to the Champions League Spherical of 16 draw on Friday, the place they’ll face both Manchester Metropolis or Sporting CP. For Actual Madrid — report 15-time European champions — progress to the final 16 is the naked minimal expectation. For Benfica, overturning the deficit with out their supervisor within the dugout and with out Prestianni on the pitch would rank among the many nice European comebacks.

Kickoff on the Santiago Bernabéu is at 9pm native time (20:00 GMT).