Benfica highlight Valverde incident in pre-match post before Real Madrid second leg | OneFootball

Hours before kick-off, Benfica posted a graphic featuring Samuel Dahl with a visible bruise ahead of the Real Madrid return.

According to Glorioso 1904, many interpreted the image as an indirect message, pointing to the first-leg clash between Dahl and Federico Valverde.

The flashpoint came in the 83rd minute when the Uruguayan struck the Swedish left-back in the face while challenging for the ball. Benfica lodged a complaint to UEFA for violent conduct.

UEFA closed the case without imposing a sanction, leaving one of Real Madrid’s captains eligible to play. The first meeting was also overshadowed by a separate row involving Gianluca Prestianni and Vinícius Júnior.

Prestianni will not feature after UEFA provisionally suspended him amid its investigation, following a complaint by Vinícius Júnior and Real Madrid alleging a racist insult by Benfica’s No 25 during the celebration of his goal at the Luz.

The second leg of the Champions League play-off against Álvaro Arbeloa’s side is scheduled for Wednesday, 25 February, at 20:00 at the Bernabéu.

Source: Glorioso 1904