Real Madrid to face Benfica in Champions League playoff match

Benfica to Host Real Madrid in UEFA Champions League Knockout Phase

On Tuesday, February 17, at 9pm (20:00 GMT), Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal will host a crucial match between Benfica and Real Madrid. The two teams will face off in the opening leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout phase.

Benfica, led by manager Jose Mourinho, will be looking to build on their recent 4-2 victory over Real Madrid on January 28. In that match, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a late header to seal the win for Benfica and deny Real automatic entry into the next round. The match marked a dramatic turn of events in the competition, as Real had been leading 3-2 with seconds remaining before Trubin’s goal.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, will be seeking to bounce back from their playoff elimination. The team finished the league phase with nine points from eight games and was subsequently relegated to the knockout phase. Star forward Kylian Mbappe expressed his disappointment at the team’s performance, stating that they “deserve” to be in their current situation due to inconsistent play.

The two teams have a history of competition, with Benfica having previously beaten Real Madrid in dramatic fashion. The playoff phase is expected to be intense, with both teams facing a challenging two-leg knockout series. Al Jazeera Sport will provide live text and photo coverage of the match, which can be followed on their website and social media channels.

The match marks an important test for Mourinho, who has been at the helm of Benfica since September. The Portuguese manager has experience leading top-tier teams, having previously managed Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Manchester United.

Source: Al Jazeera