Real Madrid are gearing up for a crucial Champions League play-off against SL Benfica with the return of French superstar Kylian Mbappe, after he was rested over the weekend.
Mbappe, the team’s top scorer this season, joins Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior in attack, raising both excitement and tactical questions. While their combined quality is undeniable, both players’ limited defensive contribution could pose challenges for coach Alvaro Arbeloa when facing well-prepared opposition.
Recent Form and Challenges
In their recent league encounter with Rayo Vallecano, Mbappe was rested due to knee discomfort, giving Vinicius a chance to shine, converting two penalties in a 4-1 win.
Last month, all three stars—Mbappe, Vinicius, and Jude Bellingham—faced Benfica in the league phase, where Madrid lost 4-2. Mbappe scored twice, but Benfica’s late heroics, including a 98th-minute goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, handed Madrid a defeat.
With Bellingham injured for the upcoming clash, Madrid will rely heavily on the Mbappe–Vinicius duo for offensive impact.
Arbeloa’s Strategy
Arbeloa has emphasized keeping his star players content and ready, contrasting with predecessor Xabi Alonso’s rotation policy. He believes leveraging their brilliance is key to overcoming top opposition, despite the historical cautionary tale of the Galactico era, when superstars like Luis Figo, David Beckham, and Ronaldo Nazário delivered limited silverware.
Both Mbappe and Vinicius have expressed mutual enjoyment in playing together, showing better cohesion than during Mbappe’s first months at the club. The key question remains whether their partnership can be balanced effectively against strong opponents like Benfica.
Midfielder Fede Valverde highlighted the team’s collective effort: “Everyone worked hard… you could tell that we were defending as a team during the whole game.”
The Champions League play-off at Estadio da Luz on Tuesday will test whether Madrid’s star duo can deliver under pressure and help the club advance to the next stage.
