Arbeloa Focuses on Victory, Not Revenge, Ahead of Benfica Clash

omidbasir- On Monday, Álvaro Arbeloa, the head coach of Real Madrid, stated that the upcoming Champions League playoff against Benfica is not motivated by revenge. This follows Benfica’s unexpected victory over Madrid last month, which resulted in Madrid being edged out of the UCL top eight.

In their previous encounter on January 28 at the Estadio Da Luz, Benfica, managed by former Madrid coach José Mourinho, triumphed with a score of 4-2, concluding the match with a dramatic 98th-minute header by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.

Consequently, Real Madrid missed out on direct qualification for the Round of 16, forcing them into a two-legged knockout tie against the same Portuguese side, with the first leg scheduled for Tuesday in Lisbon.

“Our focus is solely on winning. Our goal extends beyond merely eliminating Benfica,” Arbeloa remarked during a news conference, when questioned about any notions of revenge. “We aim to win the Champions League; it’s not about revenge. Our priority is to progress in the tie, which is our purpose here.”

The earlier league match between the two teams was marked by jubilant celebrations from Benfica at the final whistle, with Mourinho visibly emotional as Trubin’s last-minute goal secured their place in the playoffs.

“Benfica does not surprise me; I understand José’s coaching style very well,” Arbeloa commented. “However, this is a distinct match, and it bears no relation to the encounter from three weeks ago.”

Arbeloa developed a close relationship with Mourinho during their tenure at Madrid from 2010 to 2013. “We share a good friendship,” he stated. “We always wish the best for one another. I can only express my best wishes for José, but my aim is to ensure Benfica’s elimination.”

In team news, star forward Kylian Mbappé did not feature as a substitute in their recent LaLiga victory over Real Sociedad due to discomfort in his left knee. Arbeloa refrained from confirming whether Mbappé would start on Tuesday, stating, “[Mbappé] has accompanied us for training. You will see tomorrow if he plays or not.”