Champions League night in Lisbon could define Arbeloa

February 17, 2026 Oliver Obel

Real Madrid’s European pedigree is rarely questioned. But on Tuesday night in Lisbon, reputation alone will not be enough.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side face Benfica with their Champions League campaign under real strain after a 4-2 defeat in January forced them into a play-off against the Portuguese club. For Madrid, a team that has defined the modern era of this competition, the prospect of failing to reach the last 16 for the first time in more than three decades would represent a significant setback.

The tie also arrives unusually early in Arbeloa’s tenure.

The 43-year-old replaced Xabi Alonso last month in a move that, according to BBC Sport, came with a contract running until the end of next season though the club has yet to formally confirm the terms. Madrid understood they were taking a calculated risk by appointing a coach without senior managerial experience. Sources told BBC Sport that contingency options were quietly explored, including former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, during a period of uneven early results.

Results, however, have steadied the conversation.

Six wins from the past seven matches have lifted Madrid to the top of La Liga and eased some of the early anxiety around the appointment. Yet European competition tends to accelerate judgment at the Bernabeu. A setback in Lisbon would quickly reignite scrutiny.

Tactical Reset After January’s Defeat

Arbeloa’s most visible response to the earlier loss against Benfica has been structural.

He has shifted away from a 4-3-3 shape and toward a narrower 4-4-2 system, asking Franco Mastantuono to operate deeper while Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe and Gonzalo Garcia rotate through central attacking positions. The adjustment prioritizes compactness over width and aims to close the central channels that Benfica exploited in their previous meeting.

"Defensively, it's a structure that closes down the midfield corridor, where there are more players, and allows us to be more compact," Arbeloa said.

"With the type of players we have, if we want to counter-attack, it also allows us to do so. We have a lot of room for improvement. I'm very happy because, beyond the systems, the key is effort, mentality, and teamwork, and we're achieving that."

The emphasis, he insists, is stability.

"The goal is always to be solid," he said. "It's very difficult these days to play good football if you're not solid, compact, and don't know how to press high up the pitch."

That defensive recalibration has been aided by improved squad availability. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Antonio Rudiger have returned from injury, bolstering options at the back. After Alexander-Arnold provided an assist in the 4-1 league win over Real Sociedad, Arbeloa told Real Madrid TV the club were "lucky to have" him.

"We're not going to discover anything new about Trent," he said. "It was a nice surprise to see how he understands the game, how he finds the spaces. Those things are very important for a coach - having players who understand what we want."

Not all concerns have lifted. Jude Bellingham remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and is not expected back until April, while Eder Militao is out for the season. Raul Asencio and Rodrygo are suspended for the first leg.

Mourinho’s Influence and the Atmosphere Factor

If Madrid carry greater European history, Benfica arrive with their own source of confidence.

Read also: Arteta hints at tactical shift

Jose Mourinho, who previously coached Madrid, guided his side to that 4-2 win three weeks ago and recently described his former club as "the king" of the Champions League. Arbeloa is under no illusions about the challenge awaiting at the Estadio da Luz.

"We have to give absolutely everything to win. That's always the objective," he said. "But winning will require us to play very, very well. We must get many things right, defend well, attack well, be focused on set-pieces and play a very complete game for 90 minutes."

He added: "Their spirit will be very similar to what it was three weeks ago. They have a leader [Mourinho] who sets the course, dictating how they play and compete… But it will be a very competitive, tough team. And we must be prepared."

For Arbeloa, the night is less about legacy and more about validation. Madrid’s hierarchy invested in promise and continuity when they handed him the role. Lisbon offers the first genuine European test of whether that belief was well placed.

The return leg at the Bernabeu provides a safety net. But in Madrid, momentum good or bad rarely waits for a second chance.

Sources: BBC Sport, Real Madrid TV