UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Season

[Gost ms]

Madrid are not in good form right now. I wouldn't be surprised if Madrid are eliminated in the play-offs against Benfica. But if Madrid can qualify for the champions league final, then Mbappe will probably become the highest scorer in the champions league. Mbappe has scored 13 goals in 7 matches in the champions league. He is in excellent form. Even if Madrid can qualify for the semi-finals, I think Mbappe will be able to score 20+. But it doesn't seem possible for Madrid to get good results with such irregular performances.

Don't blame with the team have start from the playoff round match, did you watch PSG last season become the winner after purely bad performance in phase league match until have to play the playoff round but success become the winner. I believe Madrid has winning mentality in champion league although must playing at the playoff round against Benfica who defeated Madrid last match.
I think Madrid won't make the same mistake and performing well to eliminated Benfica at the playoff round match, has advantage with playing away firstly and second leg will play at home I think Madrid easy to get ticket for round of 16.

As you describe, it will not be easy for Madrid at all. Benfica's attacking part is very strong and Benfica has been performing well in the last few matches and they are trying to get back to form. Although Madrid's attacking part is very strong, Real Madrid's defense is comparatively very weak. If Madrid has to win this match, then Madrid's defense will have to be made much stronger and Benfica will have to create obstacles to attack. It is never possible to say in advance who will win this Real Madrid vs Benfica match. The chances of both teams winning are 50%. We will see a tough fight on the field between the two teams.

[coinlary]

The draw is out, and once again it's Benfica and Real Madrid. What a nice second chance for Real Madrid.Too bad Rodrygo is out, he will be benched anyway or used as a substitute.

He received a red card, which means he would not be available for the first leg of the playoff. Hewould not be on the bench but would be back in the return leg in Spain.  

Yeah, I get it. Although what I meant was even if he didn't get any red card for the particular game ,he would still be used as sub in the upcoming  because I don't think Abeola consider him to be part of his starting eleven, he didn't even start for the one he received  red card .
I would say it would be nice if Arbeola  could consider giving Garcia a chance and maybe use Mbappe as a sub In second half, imo  i think Garcia could bring some changes to the game.

[m4r1o]

This qualifying round is too long, even though I had hope. But losing to Benfica doesn't necessarily mean other teams can't do it, especially since there are so many teams above Benfica in the playoff qualifying group.

In my opinion, Manchester City are treated too badly.
I mean, everyone's on him, and in the end, he gets it all done. Okay, he's not in first place in the Premier League, but he's still advancing in the Champions League, making few mistakes, and continuing without problems.
For me, everyone is too harsh on Pep Guardiola's team.

[JiiBs]

It will be a big shock to me if Madrid hires Mourinho just because Benfica won Madrid. They don't hire a coach like that. I don't think 4-2 victory should be called luck. Benfica deserved the victory because Real Madrid underestimated them. That's football for you, expect surprises. It's possible that Benfica will pass through to the round of 16 because they will be motivated by that victory.

Am interesting result it was, with Real Madrid been beaten to a 4:2 goals and the goalkeeper even came out in the last minute to add the aerial threat, being adviced by Mourinho and he actually scored, it was certainly a difficult one for Real Madrid but, that’s not enough reason to hire Mourinho. In fact, Mourinho doing so much exploit for Real Madrid but, I’ll agree that it was genius for them to win against Real Madrid in the champions league with that margin. Most bets were ruined by the result from that fixture.

[ILuckyGuyI]

I'm looking forward to this already now. 

This brings back my memories... That day we beat Juventus on a snowy pitch by 1-0 and reached next round of the CL. It was in 2013, wow time flies...

After all these years we meet again! I hope we can once again upset them and qualify for last 16. We had better win the first leg at home. Otherwise our chance will drop quite much.

[Swordsoffreedom]

It will be a big shock to me if Madrid hires Mourinho just because Benfica won Madrid. They don't hire a coach like that. I don't think 4-2 victory should be called luck. Benfica deserved the victory because Real Madrid underestimated them. That's football for you, expect surprises. It's possible that Benfica will pass through to the round of 16 because they will be motivated by that victory.

Am interesting result it was, with Real Madrid been beaten to a 4:2 goals and the goalkeeper even came out in the last minute to add the aerial threat, being adviced by Mourinho and he actually scored, it was certainly a difficult one for Real Madrid but, that’s not enough reason to hire Mourinho. In fact, Mourinho doing so much exploit for Real Madrid but, I’ll agree that it was genius for them to win against Real Madrid in the champions league with that margin. Most bets were ruined by the result from that fixture.

Benfica's victory over real madrid was their biggest achievement this season. No one could have  imagined that benfica would win the match by dominating like this. But it was possible because of the hard work of manager mourinho and the players.

I believe that without mourinho, Benfica  would not have won this match by a margin of  4-2. It is always very difficult to win against a team like Madrid. But Mourinho understood very well that madrid was not in a good shape. And mourinho took advantage of this opportunity. He created a great strategy. And boosted the confidence of the players. As a result, madrid could not take any advantage in the match.

These two teams are going to face each other  again in the play-offs . Many fans like me are waiting for the match. Will Madrid make the same mistake again ? Or will they learn from their previous mistakes

[cande86]

Real Madrid fans are surely nervous about seeing the playoff draw. Some may think or even resign themselves to the fact that Real Madrid won't advance to the round of 16, given their humiliation at the hands of Benfica. This is not without reason, as Real Madrid performed poorly in the previous match, and Arbeloa is not a qualified coach. Furthermore, Real Madrid will be without Asencio and Rodrygo in the first leg due to red cards. So, Real Madrid fans are bracing themselves for a first-leg defeat at Benfica home ground.

Ironically, they will also find them in the playoffs and I feel that this could be a big problem for them because the psychological pressure they could be under is very great. Obviously, this thing will ultimately exasperate people. Right now, they can't do anything else except stay focused and not make mistakes.

[Sarah Azhari]

The draw is out, and once again it's Benfica and Real Madrid. What a nice second chance for Real Madrid.Too bad Rodrygo is out, he will be benched anyway or used as a substitute.

He received a red card, which means he would not be available for the first leg of the playoff. Hewould not be on the bench but would be back in the return leg in Spain.

I'm a bit doubtful that Real Madrid can avenge their loss in the first leg. Besides being without Rodrygo and Aéncio due to red cards, they're automatically out of the starting lineup. They also have numerous injuries, particularly in defense. Furthermore, the first leg will be played at Benfica's home ground. I predict a narrow loss for Real Madrid.

[Taricoins]

Real Madrid fans are surely nervous about seeing the playoff draw. Some may think or even resign themselves to the fact that Real Madrid won't advance to the round of 16, given their humiliation at the hands of Benfica. This is not without reason, as Real Madrid performed poorly in the previous match, and Arbeloa is not a qualified coach. Furthermore, Real Madrid will be without Asencio and Rodrygo in the first leg due to red cards. So, Real Madrid fans are bracing themselves for a first-leg defeat at Benfica home ground.

What will even destabilize there mental health is when they lose both home and away against Benfica, because it isn't looking good for Real Madrid because it's bad that Benfica came into the there last previous matchup not to just win but cover up a goal difference and actually do it, it can tell us more about the future outcome if we don't see changes in the Real Madrid performance, once again Arbeloa should know that is isn't the Laliga

[Hvdv]

Real Madrid fans are surely nervous about seeing the playoff draw. Some may think or even resign themselves to the fact that Real Madrid won't advance to the round of 16, given their humiliation at the hands of Benfica. This is not without reason, as Real Madrid performed poorly in the previous match, and Arbeloa is not a qualified coach. Furthermore, Real Madrid will be without Asencio and Rodrygo in the first leg due to red cards. So, Real Madrid fans are bracing themselves for a first-leg defeat at Benfica home ground.

What will even destabilize there mental health is when they lose both home and away against Benfica, because it isn't looking good for Real Madrid because it's bad that Benfica came into the there last previous matchup not to just win but cover up a goal difference and actually do it, it can tell us more about the future outcome if we don't see changes in the Real Madrid performance, once again Arbeloa should know that is isn't the Laliga

Real Madrid will play another match in Portugal and they must play without making any mistakes against Benfica. The wounds of their recent heavy defeat have not yet healed. Therefore, Real Madrid absolutely need to get an advantageous score in this match so that they can play a comfortable game in Spain. Also, they will be shorthanded against Benfica due to the two red cards they received in their last match. And strangely enough, both players who received red cards were sent off in the Benfica match

[masulum]

Real Madrid will play another match in Portugal and they must play without making any mistakes against Benfica. The wounds of their recent heavy defeat have not yet healed. Therefore, Real Madrid absolutely need to get an advantageous score in this match so that they can play a comfortable game in Spain. Also, they will be shorthanded against Benfica due to the two red cards they received in their last match. And strangely enough, both players who received red cards were sent off in the Benfica match

2 goals behind benfica can be hard to achieve, but in other side, Madrid just need to win at least 2-0 at their home to keep their away goals advantages. We know Madrid not with Xabi anymore, and players still meed more time to adapt with their new coach strategy. but over all, playing at home, Madrid should be win.

[Jewan420]

Real Madrid will play another match in Portugal and they must play without making any mistakes against Benfica. The wounds of their recent heavy defeat have not yet healed. Therefore, Real Madrid absolutely need to get an advantageous score in this match so that they can play a comfortable game in Spain. Also, they will be shorthanded against Benfica due to the two red cards they received in their last match. And strangely enough, both players who received red cards were sent off in the Benfica match

Real Madrid will have to play against the same opponent at the same stadium in two consecutive matches in the Champions League. I can't decide whether to call this good news or bad news for Real Madrid. Real Madrid may not have forgotten about their humiliating defeat against Benfica in the last match. If they can take revenge by beating Benfica in the first leg of the play-offs, that will be good news for Real Madrid. If they lose the second match after a defeat, I can't call it good news. Benfica will definitely try to keep the momentum from the last match and be ahead of Real Madrid in the first leg.

[sana54210]

Madrid are not in good form right now. I wouldn't be surprised if Madrid are eliminated in the play-offs against Benfica. But if Madrid can qualify for the champions league final, then Mbappe will probably become the highest scorer in the champions league. Mbappe has scored 13 goals in 7 matches in the champions league. He is in excellent form. Even if Madrid can qualify for the semi-finals, I think Mbappe will be able to score 20+. But it doesn't seem possible for Madrid to get good results with such irregular performances.

No matter what type of momentum they are on, no matter what kind of manager problems they are having, and even no matter what kind of locker room troubles they have, I seriously do not believe that they are going to face trouble defeating Benfica, specially considering it's two games.

For one game Benfica got lucky so lets assume that even for a moment that Benfica "may" win one of these games, there is no way that Real Madrid would be knocked off out of two games and surely will win this series. In fact, they must be so happy to face Benfica because they are mad at them, they didn't expected losing and be in playoffs, they hoped to be in top eight and if they won they would have been, so defeating Benfica will feel great for them.

[Donneski]

Real Madrid fans are surely nervous about seeing the playoff draw. Some may think or even resign themselves to the fact that Real Madrid won't advance to the round of 16, given their humiliation at the hands of Benfica. This is not without reason, as Real Madrid performed poorly in the previous match, and Arbeloa is not a qualified coach. Furthermore, Real Madrid will be without Asencio and Rodrygo in the first leg due to red cards. So, Real Madrid fans are bracing themselves for a first-leg defeat at Benfica home ground.

I'm a Real Madrid fan but I'm not nervous in fact, I think facing Benfica again in the two legged playoff tie after their surprising 4:2 victory in the last game of the group stage was the best we can get. Now,  Real Madrid will be facing a Benfica side that they already know have the ability of causing them troubles if they allow them to play or boss the game and I don't think that will happen in about of the two encounters. Alvaro Arbeloa isn't as experienced as Benfica manager Jose Mourinho but I believe he learnt so many things from the disappointing defeat of Wednesday night I'm very confident that he'll respond accordingly when the during the playoffs.

[banana33]

Benfica went all in and it was worth all the effort they put in that game and for the move by that goalkeeper, it was such  brilliant one form both the keeper and Jose Mourinho, that would have been the last move any one would have expected of him at any time and even at the time we saw that he already had no time as the match was about  to come to an end, he still insisted on that move by the goal keeper and that became the highlight of the champions league that even, congratulations to them on their qualification.

Benfica did what any team would have done, it's so obvious that i think it's something that can be done, right now they can go and play in the playoffs and that's incredible, i am really happy for them even if Real Madrid gave the game away a bit,but that's football.

[Mustang Shelby]

Real Madrid fans are surely nervous about seeing the playoff draw. Some may think or even resign themselves to the fact that Real Madrid won't advance to the round of 16, given their humiliation at the hands of Benfica. This is not without reason, as Real Madrid performed poorly in the previous match, and Arbeloa is not a qualified coach. Furthermore, Real Madrid will be without Asencio and Rodrygo in the first leg due to red cards. So, Real Madrid fans are bracing themselves for a first-leg defeat at Benfica home ground.

I'm a Real Madrid fan but I'm not nervous in fact, I think facing Benfica again in the two legged playoff tie after their surprising 4:2 victory in the last game of the group stage was the best we can get. Now,  Real Madrid will be facing a Benfica side that they already know have the ability of causing them troubles if they allow them to play or boss the game and I don't think that will happen in about of the two encounters. Alvaro Arbeloa isn't as experienced as Benfica manager Jose Mourinho but I believe he learnt so many things from the disappointing defeat of Wednesday night I'm very confident that he'll respond accordingly when the during the playoffs.

Yes, I think it's a good thing for Real Madrid to face Benfica again. Because Real Madrid suffered a defeat against them and now they know better what they need to watch out for. I'm sure coach Arbeloa will try to improve Real Madrid's performance, so I see this as an easy match in the Champions League playoff round. Although they owe their qualification for the playoffs to Real Madrid, I don't think Benfica are happy to be drawn against Real Madrid again.

[Jegileman]

As you describe, it will not be easy for Madrid at all. Benfica's attacking part is very strong and Benfica has been performing well in the last few matches and they are trying to get back to form. Although Madrid's attacking part is very strong, Real Madrid's defense is comparatively very weak. If Madrid has to win this match, then Madrid's defense will have to be made much stronger and Benfica will have to create obstacles to attack. It is never possible to say in advance who will win this Real Madrid vs Benfica match. The chances of both teams winning are 50%. We will see a tough fight on the field between the two teams.

People call this a revenge match for Real Madrid but I’m still not sure if it will turn out to be so. The match going to be played in an home and away fixtures is very important to look into. Real Madrid may have won the first encounter and may not repeat the same in the second leg if Benfica steps up and play better. One thing about the game of football is that if you’ve won against a team the first time, you’ll always have that enthusiasm that you can do it again the second time. Real Madrid is not a team to look down on when it comes to the champions league. As long as they’ve not being eliminated from the competition, just have in mind that they can still win the trophy. This is going to be a tough match but I still see Real Madrid going to have an edge over Benfica in this match if they really want to and play optimally to their best.

[LUCKMCFLY]

Pep is a great Coach but you got it wrong because Real Madrid did not qualify directly they will be in the UCL playoffs and according to the draw done today they will be facing Benfica again.
Benfica are the reason why Real Madrid aren’t in the top eight and they have another chance to stop Real Madrid from going into the knockout stages.

You're right, it wasn't Benfica's fault, because any team could have beaten Real Madrid the way they played. Real Madrid was solely to blame for playing so badly, so terribly, playing without desire, without hunger. I don't understand how, being from Real Madrid, you go out and play without desire in a Champions League match. Believe me, it would have been 7 goals if it hadn't been for Courtois, Mbappe, and Asensio. Everyone was bad, even Arbeloa.

[snipie]

People call this a revenge match for Real Madrid but I’m still not sure if it will turn out to be so. The match going to be played in an home and away fixtures is very important to look into.

If it was a one shot then I can be worried about Real Madrid humiliating themselves again but with these two legs system, I believe Real Madrid will kick Benfica and Mourinho out of the competition by the end of the next month.
When I saw these play-offs fixtures, I believe there is a favourite team in each match except Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund one which I think it is the most challenging match at this stage.

[CLS63]

Arsenal are stepping forward for the Champions League title now considering their striking performance in league phase. Bayern Munich come right after them among the top favourites.

However we should also know that this stage can be misleading as well. The real deal is starting as of knockout stage. I wonder whether any of these two teams will say goodbye earlier than people expect.

I think at least one of them will make it to the final but can't say anything about the winner of this year yet.