Who: Benfica vs Real Madrid
Content: UEFA Champions League
Location: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
Date and time: Wednesday, January 27th, 8pm (20:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll bring you everything on Al Jazeera Sports from 17:00 GMT, ahead of the text commentary stream.
This season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) finale reaches its finale on Wednesday, with some of Europe’s biggest names facing some tough competition, but perhaps not as big as the one between Jose Mourinho’s Benfica and his former club Real Madrid.
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Both teams need a win to achieve their contrasting goals at this stage, with Benfica likely to be eliminated from continental competition this season.
Al Jazeera Sports looks at the tie, which has had many implications, including a bit of personal pride as one of Real’s most successful managers.
What are Real Madrid’s chances of winning the Champions League?
Real have endured a turbulent season, with coach Xabi Alonso sacked after just seven months in charge, but serious challenges still lie ahead for the Spaniard and Europe’s doubles.
Los Blancos temporarily took the lead after defeating Villarreal on Saturday, but their rivals reclaimed the top spot on Sunday and are now chasing Barcelona in La Liga.
In the Champions League, a draw might be enough to guarantee an automatic place in the last 16, but only a win can guarantee that.
What are Benfica’s chances of participating in the Champions League?
A win is a must for Benfica, but given the Portuguese giants’ struggles this season, it may not be enough to secure a place in the play-offs.
The Lisbon-based club currently sit 29th out of the 36 teams competing, just two points from qualifying for the 16 play-offs.
Benfica’s -4 goal difference will also be a hindrance to their bid to become one of the top five teams to avoid being eliminated from the competition.
They are unbeaten so far in the domestic league season, but they have a 10-point lead and have drawn six more games than fellow undefeated leaders Porto.
How is qualification for the Champions League determined from the league stage?
The top eight teams automatically qualify for the Round of 16. The following 16 teams will participate in the two-legged playoffs.
The bottom 12 teams, including Benfica, will be eliminated from all continental competitions this season.
Real are currently in third place with 15 points, but the 10 teams just below them have a chance to reach 16 points, and a loss could see Los Blancos fall significantly, while a draw would see them sweat over other results.
When did Jose Mourinho become Real Madrid manager?
The former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Manchester United manager was appointed in May 2010 and was in charge of Real for three seasons.
He also had great success with Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, winning the Champions League with the former and the latter, while also winning Chelsea’s first top-flight title in 40 years.
Mourinho only took over as Benfica manager in September, replacing Bruno Large following a slow start to the season.
What are Jose Mourinho’s records and wins at Real Madrid?
Mourinho finished second behind Barcelona in his first season in charge, despite Cristiano Ronaldo leading La Liga’s scoring list with 40 goals that season.
Lionel Messi scored 50 goals the following season, but it was Real’s Portuguese pair who were smiling as Real won the league for the first time in three years – Barça won the crown each season.
Mourinho’s tenure at the Bernabéu ended the following season as Barcelona won the title by 15 points, which remains the largest points difference in the competition’s history.
How many times have Real Madrid and Benfica won the Champions League?
Real are the record winners of Europe’s top club competition, winning 15 titles. The last one will arrive in 2024.
Benfica have lifted the trophy twice so far, both times in consecutive years.
During what was considered to be Benfica’s golden era, Portuguese legend Eusebio was instrumental in the team’s victories over Barcelona in 1961 and Real Madrid in 1962.
A hat-trick from Hungary’s greatest export, Ferenc Puskas, could not save Real as Benfica, including a double from Eusebio, went ahead 5-3.
When was the last time Real Madrid played Benfica in the Champions League?
Europe’s two giants have not faced each other since March 17, 1965, when Real won 2-1 in Madrid.
After Benfica won the first leg 5-1 in Lisbon three weeks ago, it wasn’t enough to overturn a tie in the knockout stages.
direct confrontation
Remarkably, this is only the fourth meeting between the two biggest clubs from Spain and Portugal.
The first meeting between the two clubs took place in the final in May 1962, with Benfica leading the match 2-1.
Benfica team news
Alexander Barr, Samuel Soares, Dodi Lukebakio and Enrique Araujo remain sidelined due to injury. Richard Rios is close to returning, but this fight may be too soon.
Sidney López Cabral and Rafa Silva, who joined in the January transfer window, are not eligible to play.
Benfica’s expected starting lineup (4-2-3-1)
Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl. Ausnes, Barene Chair. Prestiani, Barreiro, Sudakov. Publidis
Real Madrid team news
Real Madrid have Aurelien Choameni back after missing Saturday’s win over Villarreal due to suspension.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s thighs, Antonio Rudiger’s knees and Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy’s hamstrings mean the Spaniard is light across the backline.
Real Madrid’s projected starting lineup (4-3-3)
Courtois. Valverde, Asensio, Juisén, Carreras. Choameni, Bellingham, Guler. Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius
