Real Madrid travel to Lisbon to face Benfica this Wednesday with a depleted defense, as Álvaro Arbeloa confirms he will be without four key starters for the Champions League group stage finale.
The Merengues released their official squad list for the trip to the Estádio da Luz, confirming that Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy have all been ruled out due to injury. While Rüdiger and Alexander-Arnold are expected back for the weekend clash against Rayo Vallecano, they have not been risked for the European encounter.
The Defensive Jigsaw: Who Starts?
With the veteran core sidelined, Arbeloa is expected to rely on youth and versatility. New signing Dean Huijsen and academy graduate Asencio are likely to anchor the central defense, while Álvaro Carreras who gave fans a scare with light training on Monday has been cleared to play at left-back.
- Key Returns: Aurélien Tchouaméni returns to the squad after serving a domestic suspension.
- Fitness Boost: Kylian Mbappé is included in the list despite concerns over his workload earlier this week.
- Youth Inclusion: Youngsters Cestero, Diego Aguado, and Fran González have been called up to provide depth.
Qualification Stakes
Real Madrid currently sits 3rd in the Champions League table with 15 points. A draw against Benfica will be enough to secure a top-eight finish, ensuring direct qualification for the Round of 16 and avoiding the tricky playoff round.
Official Real Madrid Squad vs Benfica
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, Fran González. Defenders: Carvajal, Alaba, Asencio, Álvaro Carreras, Fran García, Huijsen, Diego Aguado. Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Ceballos, Cestero. Forwards: Vini Jr., Mbappé, Rodrygo, Gonzalo, Brahim, Mastantuono.
Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
