Benfica vs Real Madrid, 2026 Champions League: Predicted lineups — and more

Real Madrid visit Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League’s Round of 32. Mbappé is expected to return to the lineup and the biggest question mark for Arbeloa will surely be who to deploy in the center of the defensive line now that Rudiger is also back.

Real Madrid predicted XI: Courtois; Trent, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Valverde, Camavinga; Güler; Vinicius, Mbappé.

Benfica predicted XI: Trubin; Dedic, Otamendi, T. Araújo, Dahl; Aursnes, Barreiro; Prestianni, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis.

Given that Asencio has been playing through pain for a while, Rudiger and Huijsen might start.

HOW TO WATCH, STREAM CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Date: 02/17/2025

Time: 21:00 CET, 03:00pm EST.

Venue: Estadio Da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal.

Available TV: Movistar Liga Campeones (Spain)

Available Streaming: Paramount+, DAZN, Amazon Prime Video (USA)

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Manchester United have reportedly set their eyes on Borussia Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson, who would provide serious competition for Diogo Dalot down the right flank.

The Portuguese right-back has been a mainstay at MUFC for several years. But while many fans and observers have been praising his improved displays this season, many would argue that the club needs to strengthen this role by signing a top-notch player.

According to Bild, Man Utd have identified Ryerson as the right candidate for the role. The Norwegian was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in recent months. However, his future could lie in the Premier League, as United and Newcastle have both emerged as suitors, reports the famous German newspaper.

This confirms earlier reports that linked the Old Trafford outfit with Ryerson.

Man United register their interest in Julian Ryerson

Ryerson started his career at his hometown club of Lyngdal before joining Viking FK’s academy. He has been playing his football in Germany since 2018, when he signed for Union Berlin.

After rising to stardom during his spell in the German capital, Dortmund pounced for his services in January 2023, paying €5 million to secure his signature. He remains tied to the Bundesliga giants with a contract valid until June 2028.

(Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

While the Norwegian’s attacking stats were relatively modest in previous campaigns, this season, he has emerged as one of the most potent wing-backs in Germany under Nico Kovac’s guidance.

He has already provided his teammates with 13 assists across all competitions, including three in his most recent outing against Mainz, earning the moniker of the ‘assist king’.

Ryerson has outperformed Diogo Dalot this season

If Man Utd are looking to sign a ready-made right-back who’s at the prime of his powers, the 28-year-old Ryerson could be the right answer.

Perhaps he can replace Noussair Mazraoui, who, although versatile, hasn’t been able to lock down a starting role. The Moroccan could remain at Carrington as a squad player since he’s capable of filling various roles.

Moreover, a statistical comparison between Ryerson and Dalot suggests that the Norwegian has outperformed the Portuguese in every area, except for aerial duels.

(Stats by DataMB)

It should be taken into account that the two men have been playing their football in different leagues, and that Ryerson has been deployed in a more attacking position (a wing-back rather than a full-back).

Nevertheless, these numbers paint a clear picture, suggesting that the Dortmund star would add a new weapon to Man Utd’s attacks.

Welcome to the latest installment of The Orchid Tales, where your hoddler-in-chief documents the life and times of his orchid. Has it really been 12 months since our most recent edition? That’s way too long! Let’s check in to see how things are shaping up.

For those of you new to this site – this is also one of the longest-running features of the hoddle under your HIC. The first edition of The Orchid Tales premiered on August 19, 2022. That’s almost four years ago!

Catch up on parts 1-11 here:Part I, Part II / Part III / Part IV / Part V / Part VI / Part VII / Part VIII / Part IX / Part X / Part XI

——-

One of the most challenging parts about moving, for me, is understanding how to put my orchid in the best possible position to thrive. A huge part of that means how and where it is going to receive sunlight. That sort of calculus makes it probably a little too challenging for me in how I’m going to set up my entire living arrangements.

At least I’ve figured it now for now, and I’ll be monitoring Planty’s health in the coming weeks.

There aren’t any signs that the orchid is going to grow new buds this season, which is okay. The leaves remain a very healthy green, and the roots are wild and respond well when being watered.

It looks like I’ll be tending the plant for the next few months until it’s time to repot, and then maybe I’ll bring it in to a florist to help me understand how to best plot an orchid that is growing increasingly more horizontal by the month.

It’s also time to bring new plants into the fold. I’ve had a ponytail palm sitting on a shelf for the last 2.5 years, which still looks very healthy. I also plan on bringing in some floor plants into the equation – probably the likes of a snake plant, a fiddle leaf fig or a dracaena.

I’ve got some more space on the bookshelves to add a few smaller plants too.

Is it too many plants? Probably not. You can’t have enough plants. I think they add a tonne of life and colour into the mix.

Fitzie’s track of the day: Waits For Me, by Anjimile

And now for your links:

The Standard: “Igor Tudor will have Tottenham squad ‘running through brick walls’, says former player”

Alasdair Gold: “Everything you need to know about Igor Tudor’s new-look coaching staff at Tottenham”

Matt Law: “Tottenham face ‘catastrophic’ cost of relegation and no European football”

The Independent: “Troy Parrott on becoming Republic of Ireland’s hero, Mourinho’s impact and searching for ‘big moments’”

BBC: “League One Mansfield to host Arsenal in fifth round – full FA Cup draw”

Real Madrid take on SL Benfica later tonight in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout playoff round away at Estadio da Luz.

While the Merengues have momentum on their side, having beaten Real Sociedad 4-1 in their last game, they approach tonight’s clash with some concern.

After all, Jose Mourinho’s men beat them 4-2 at the same venue less than a month ago, leading to them dropping out of the top-eight in the league phase standings.

Disciplinary concerns for Real Madrid

Beyond that, Real Madrid also have worries due to the disciplinary risk that could affect the return leg.

Up to three players from the Spanish capital club are one yellow card away from suspension, a scenario that is bound to worry Alvaro Arbeloa & co. given the importance of those individuals.

Tchouameni is one card away from suspension. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Defenders Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras, and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni are all one card away from an automatic suspension.

Huijsen and Tchouameni are currently on two yellow cards in the UEFA Champions League, while Carreras is on four. And a caution in tonight’s clash will mean they will miss the second leg against Benfica at the Santiago Bernabeu next week.

Naturally, this is a cause for concern for Real Madrid, considering that all three players are regular starters in the team and having them unavailable for a crucial and decisive second-leg playoff tie could become a major problem.

All three aforementioned players are expected to start tonight at Estadio da Luz and they must ensure that they keep their discipline and not jeopardise Real Madrid’s chances of making it through to the Round of 16.

Yesterday, the team trained in the morning, with the usual split: warm-down for those who played in Naples, technical work for everyone else.

After Koné, Roma hopes to recover Hermoso in the coming days, having been absent since the February 2nd match in Udine.

The Spaniard had to sit out due to a bruise on the instep of his right foot, which caused a nasty hematoma.

It took several days for him to even walk normally, and even more for him to tie his shoelaces again.

As reported by Corriere dello Sport, the hematoma is reabsorbing and the pain is disappearing.

The therapy has already been followed by a series of personalized sessions, and the next step will be the team’s return.

Hermoso is targeting Sunday’s match against Cremonese, although the coaching staff is confident on this front given Ghilardi’s strong performance.

The team will rest today, and from Wednesday onwards any time will be available, including for the return of Ferguson and El Shaarawy. Gasperini is gradually recovering all his injured players.

In March, in addition to the match against Juve, the Europa League round of 16 will also be played. It will be crucial to have the entire squad available, or almost, for the most important matches of the season.