KEY POINTS
- Kylian Mbappe will miss the second leg of Real Madrid’s Champions League playoff due to a persistent knee injury.
- The French forward has already scored 38 goals this season, including 13 in European competition for the Spanish side.
- Real Madrid enters the match with a 1-0 aggregate lead but faces significant absences in both midfield and attack.
Real Madrid will face Benfica on Wednesday without their star striker Kylian Mbappe. The club excluded the French international from the squad list for the critical Champions League knockout-round playoff second leg. This decision follows a recurring knee injury that has troubled the forward throughout the winter months. Mbappe reportedly felt discomfort during a recent training session, prompting the medical staff to take a cautious approach.
The loss of Mbappe represents a major blow to the Spanish giants’ offensive capabilities. The 27-year-old has been in sensational form this season, leading the team with 38 goals across all competitions. His contribution includes 13 goals in the Champions League alone, making him the tournament’s top scorer. Real Madrid must now rely on a makeshift attacking line to secure their place in the next round.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti named only four recognized forwards for the upcoming fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu. Vinicius Jr, Gonzalo Garcia, Brahim Diaz, and teenage prospect Franco Mastantuono are the only options available. The squad is also missing key midfielder Jude Bellingham, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. Additionally, forward Rodrygo remains unavailable as he serves the final match of a two-game disciplinary suspension.
Despite these absences, Real Madrid holds a slight advantage heading into the return leg. They secured a 1-0 victory in Lisbon last week thanks to a second-half goal from Vinicius Jr. That first meeting was overshadowed by a racism controversy involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. UEFA has since dismissed an appeal from the Portuguese club, upholding a provisional suspension for the player.
Benfica also faces its own set of challenges for the trip to the Spanish capital. Head coach Jose Mourinho will be absent from the touchline after receiving a red card in the first leg. The visitors must overcome both a goal deficit and the loss of their primary tactical leader. They will likely attempt to exploit a Real Madrid defense that has appeared vulnerable in recent domestic matches.
The winner of this tie will progress to the round of 16, with the draw scheduled for Friday. Real Madrid is aiming for a record-extending 16th European title this season. However, their immediate focus must be on containing a resilient Benfica side without their most dangerous goalscorer. The match at the Bernabeu is expected to be a tense encounter given the high stakes and recent friction between the teams.
