Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Benfica – Mbappe back | OneFootball

Real Madrid take on SL Benfica in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs away at Estadio da Luz.

With kickoff over an hour away, Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Jose Mourinho’s men.

The big news is that Kylian Mbappe is back in the starting lineup after not playing a single minute against Real Sociedad over the weekend in La Liga.

The French superstar, still dealing with some discomfort in his knee, partners with Vinicius Jr. in Real Madrid’s two-pronged attack.

Meanwhile, Arbeloa has once again opted for the four-man midfield setup comprising Arda Guler, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga, with the tactic working well in recent matches.

In defence, Trent Alexander-Arnold starts again at right-back after his impressive performance against Real Sociedad. Alvaro Carreras continues at left-back, while Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen pair up in central defence. Thibaut Courtois starts in goal as usual.

Carreras, Tchouameni, and Huijsen are all one booking away from earning a one-match suspension, which could lead to them missing the second leg at the Bernabeu next week.