Real Madrid Stars Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham Sidelined: The Shocking Reason Behind Their Benfica Absence
Real Madrid will be missing winger Rodrygo and midfield star Jude Bellingham as they face Benfica in the opening leg of the Champions League knockout phase playoffs.
The 15-time European titleholders must battle for their spot in the round of 16 after sliding from third to ninth place in the league phase table at the final moment. An unexpected 4–2 defeat to Benfica condemned Los Blancos to the knockout phase playoffs, where they will meet José Mourinho's squad once more.
Álvaro Arbeloa will be pleased to welcome back Trent Alexander-Arnold and Antonio Rüdiger for the crucial encounter in Lisbon on Tuesday night. The two defenders, who were sidelined for the team's previous visit to the Estádio da Luz, provide Real Madrid's defense with a vital reinforcement.
Los Blancos' midfield and forward line, however, are without two essential players for the Champions League fixture: Bellingham and Rodrygo.
Why Rodrygo Is Not Playing Against Benfica
Why Rodrygo Is Not Playing Against Benfica
Rodrygo is banned for Tuesday's encounter against Benfica following his dismissal in Real Madrid's final league phase fixture against the Portuguese side. The Brazilian was shown two yellow cards in rapid succession for dissent and was ejected during injury time.
The dismissal resulted in Rodrygo receiving a two-match ban for offensive language, sidelining him for both encounters against Benfica in the Champions League knockout phase playoffs. Raúl Asencio was also dismissed at the Estádio da Luz in January, but he received only a single-match suspension, meaning he must also remain in Madrid.
Even without his red card in his most recent Champions League outing, the attacker probably wouldn't have participated in the first leg against Benfica regardless. The 25-year-old is dealing with a minor hamstring problem that has sidelined him since Feb. 1.
With Rodrygo unavailable, Arbeloa will depend on the attacking duo of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé to shoulder Los Blancos' scoring responsibilities.
Why Jude Bellingham Is Not Playing Against Benfica
Why Jude Bellingham Is Not Playing Against Benfica
Regarding hamstring problems, Bellingham is also confined to the treatment room with a semitendinosus muscle injury in his left leg. The England midfielder hobbled off the field in distress on Feb. 1 and recent reports indicate he could be absent for up to eight weeks for Real Madrid.
This setback deprives Arbeloa of arguably his most decisive player for the most significant match of Los Blancos' campaign thus far. Bellingham possesses the ability to create magical moments from nowhere, whether through his creativity in the attacking third or his natural instinct to surge into the penalty area and score crucial goals.
The responsibility will fall on Arda Güler to fill the England international's role not only against Benfica, but in the coming weeks. The 20-year-old is expected to feature in every match for Real Madrid while Bellingham remains injured.
Güler may lack the sophistication or defensive capabilities of his colleague, but he possesses an excellent understanding with Mbappé, along with precise set piece delivery. The Spanish powerhouse will need both qualities to shine on Tuesday if they hope to depart Lisbon with an edge in the tie.