Potential banana skin at the Bernabéu without Prestianni, without Mourinho, and possibly without Mbappé | OneFootball

Real Madrid host Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday with a one-goal lead, yet the build-up centres on absences and doubt. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Gianluca Prestianni is out, José Mourinho is suspended, and Kylian Mbappé will make a late call after knee discomfort.

In Lisbon, Vinícius alleged racist abuse and referee Letexier activated the anti-xenophobia protocol. Mbappé then said the Argentine told him five times he was a monkey while covering his mouth, complicating corroboration of Vinícius’s complaint.

Benfica and Prestianni contend he used the homophobic slur 'maricón', visible on footage, after Vinícius had earlier called him 'enano'. They also claim Mbappé called him 'puto racista' and want the Frenchman punished. UEFA have issued a provisional one-match ban to Prestianni under a prima facie rule while the case is investigated.

Prestianni has still travelled to Madrid, and Benfica have requested the same sanction for Valverde after a slap on Dahl. Thibaut Courtois argued that a homophobic insult is equally serious and criticised Mourinho for blaming Vinícius’s celebration, which he viewed as a routine reaction to scoring.

Mourinho was dismissed at Da Luz for persistent protests and will direct his team remotely, either from a box or the hotel, to be confirmed. Madrid, beaten three times in 10 games, carry anxiety in the Bernabéu hierarchy about a European exit to Mourinho. Arbeloa wants a performance like the first leg, Vinícius has been bright, but Mbappé has not matched his level under Xabi Alonso.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo