The 15-time European champions had already begun planning for a light February ahead of their final league phase game back in January. They sat third in the table, guaranteed to directly advance to the last 16 with a win over their final opponents Benfica. Even a draw would have seen Los Blancos remain in the top eight.
Álvaro Arbeloa’s men were positively dreadful in Lisbon, though, and suffered a 4–2 defeat that sent them down to ninth place and the knockout phase playoffs. A stroke of fate pit Real Madrid against Benfica again, but this time, the stakes are much higher.
With two weeks to analyze what went wrong at the Estádio da Luz, the Spanish giants now have a clear picture of what they must do differently to walk away with a win this time around in the Champions League.
1. Ignore Mourinho’s Mind Games
Before there is even a game to be played, there is one unfolding off the pitch. There is perhaps no one better at the microphone than José Mourinho, who knows all the buttons to push for just about any team in the world—let alone his former club, now managed by his former player.
The Portuguese boss was brimming with confidence in his prematch press conference, reminding journalists that he is the more experienced manager and has already “stunned” the kings of Europe once. Arbeloa must not pay any mind to the 63-year-old’s antics or fall into the psychological traps laid by his former mentor. The focus must remain on the pitch, where Arbeloa’s side failed to do their talking back in January.
2. Patch Up Clear Deficiencies Across the Pitch
In the previous meeting, Real Madrid were wildly unbalanced due to injuries and a rigid 4-1-2-3 formation. The defense was shaky, and Aurélien Tchouaméni was left “on an island” in midfield.
The good news? Arbeloa has elite reinforcements ready. Antonio Rüdiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold are back to shore up the backline, while Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga will provide the necessary support in a more balanced 4-4-2. With Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior leading the line, Los Blancos finally have the personnel to dictate the tempo rather than chasing ghosts.
3. Maintain Composure No Matter What
Real Madrid’s recent struggles haven’t just been tactical; they’ve been mental. In the last clash with Benfica, they suffered from needless penalties, red cards for Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo, and a bizarre goal conceded to keeper Anatoliy Trubin.
Sloppy mistakes and erupting tempers have become far too commonplace, as seen in their shock Copa del Rey exit to Albacete. As captain, Federico Valverde needs to step up and reign in his troops. With their Champions League survival on the line, there is zero margin for self-destruction.
