Real Madrid are powerhouses when it comes to La Liga (Spanish league) and The Champions League. It's especially true when it comes to the latter. Hence, they are expected to win both with no hassles or problems.
That hasn't been the case this season with The Champions League. Instead of qualifying directly for the Round of 16, they are set to play in the Knockout Play-Off phase against Portugese side, Benfica.
Instead of sharing the responsibility, fingers have been pointed at each other.
Real Madrid suffered a shock 4-2 defeat to SL Benfica in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, which cost them a place in the top eight of the league phase standings.
Real Madrid’s star player, Kylian Mbappe and manager, Alvaro Arbeloa, slammed their team-mates and players after a shocking 4-2 defeat to Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. The embarrassing defeat in Lisbon stopped Real Madrid from directly qualifying for the last-16.
Mbappe scored twice in the match for Real Madrid but found no support from other players as goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored the final goal for Benfica in the dying minutes to help them qualify for the Champions League last-16 playoffs.
Mbappe was so angry with the team’s performance that he ended up admitting that his team is not playing like a "champion" side.
"I have no clear explanation," Mbappe said. "We don’t have continuity in the game, it’s a problem that we have to solve. We can’t be there every other day, this is not a champion team. It hurts a bit because we wanted to have February to improve, but we deserve the position we are in."
"We played terrible… Then losing 3-2, the fourth goal doesn’t change anything, it’s a bit embarrassing, but it doesn’t change anything. Last week we played good games, but not now and we have to have continuity. We lack a little bit of everything. I’m not going to say that it’s just a problem of attitude or only of football, I think it’s a general issue and in the Champions League every detail is important. If you don’t come with everything to win a game…"
Arbeloa accused his players of failing to rise to the occasion as his short tenure at Madrid went from bad to worse. "Of course we are far from happy. Quite the contrary," Arbeloa said. "In a match where we knew what was at stake, we simply didn’t rise to the occasion."
French star Kylian Mbappé didn't hold back after Real Madrid’s heavy loss to Benfica, a result that forces Álvaro Arbeloa’s side into the Champions League play-offs.
Kylian Mbappé spoke to reporters in the mixed zone following Real Madrid’s 4–2 defeat against Benfica, describing the performance as "terrible" and admitting the team’s inconsistency has become a major issue.
"I don’t have a clear explanation. We lack continuity in our play; it’s a problem we have to solve. We can’t be good one day and bad the next; that’s not what a championship-winning team does. It hurts a bit because we wanted to use February to improve, but we deserve the position we’re in," Mbappé said.
Real Madrid fell behind after initially taking the lead and struggled defensively throughout the match, conceding four goals in Lisbon. "We played terribly... Then, already losing 3-2, the fourth goal didn’t change anything. It’s a bit embarrassing, but it doesn’t change anything," Mbappé added.
The French forward said the team’s issues go beyond one specific area and stressed the importance of details in the Champions League. "Last week we played some good matches, but not now, and we need consistency. We’re lacking a bit of everything. I’m not going to say it’s just a problem of attitude or just of football; I think it’s a general issue, and in the Champions League, every detail is important. If you don’t come with everything to win a match...”"he said.
Mbappé also addressed Real Madrid supporters ahead of the team’s next match at the Santiago Bernabéu against Rayo Vallecano.
"I ask the Bernabéu fans to come out with the desire to support the team. We’re not eliminated yet, and we’re on a good run in La Liga. If the Bernabéu is behind us, we’re going to have a great match on Sunday," he said.
Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso who departed Real Madrid after just seven months following a successful spell in charge of Bayer Leverkusen.
The former Liverpool defender had been in charge of Real Madrid’s B team since June 2025 and was named as Alonso’s successor just one day after Madrid’s defeat to rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.
Real Madrid youngster, Arda Guler, provided an assist for Kylian Mbappe but his reaction to being substituted by Arbeloa has caused a stir. The 20-year-old was caught on camera mouthing, "always me" while looking visibly upset at the decision to remove him.
As reported by Turkiye Today, Arbeloa later explained his decision to introduce Brahim Diaz to address Guler’s fatigue but his outburst is the latest of spats between player and manager in Madrid.
Back in October, Vinicius Junior was caught on camera expressing his frustration at being substituted by then-manager Alonso. The Brazilian was caught saying: "Always me! I’m leaving the team, it’s better if I leave, I’m leaving," amid growing tensions with the Spaniard.
Prior to the Benfica game, Arbeloa heaped praise on Guler but admitted he needed he must continue to grow in all aspects of his game. Arbeloa said: "Arda is a boy with ability, talent, vision, final pass and a great switch of play … We must exploit him more. He has room for improvement, is young, and is working hard. He is helping us a lot."
"He must continue to grow in all situations, and surely over time and with experience, he will be extremely important globally, if he isn’t already."
Jude Bellingham & Federico Valverde expressed frustration after Real Madrid’s 4-2 defeat to Benfica in Champions League league phase.
Real Madrid stars, Jude Bellingham & Federico Valverde, admitted their disappointment following damaging 4-2 loss to Benfica on Wednesday, a result that ends Los Blancos’ league-phase campaign in Champions League and forces them into the play-off round for place in the last 16.
The defeat was a major setback for the Spanish giants who conceded four goals in match that left the squad frustrated and searching for answers.
Bellingham described the defeat as "very frustrating" and said the team did not expect the way the match unfolded. Speaking to Real Madrid’s official website, the England international admitted he had few words to explain the performance.
He noted that Benfica showed more intensity and aggression while Madrid failed to do the basic things they usually rely on including creating chances through individual quality. Bellingham’s comments reflected the mood in the dressing room after the match that exposed gaps in Madrid’s defensive balance and overall control.
Valverde, who wore the captain’s armband against Benfica, called for strong self-criticism and insisted that the responsibility lies with the players. The Uruguayan midfielder said the team must not blame anyone else stressing that footballers have to show character on the pitch.
According to Valverde, Real Madrid didn't deliver what was required in such an important European match.
Valverde explained that Madrid started the match well until the opening goal but then became too relaxed. That allowed Benfica to settle into their defensive structure and strike effectively on the counter-attack.
The Portuguese side’s disciplined approach and quick transitions caused serious problems for Madrid who struggled to regain control once Benfica gained momentum.
Up until last night’s match, Real Madrid hadn't lost even once when the attacking trio of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. and Franco Mastantuono started. That changed at Estadio Da Luz, with none of the forwards, barring Mbappe, showing any fight.
In fact, Mastantuono, in particular, was very disappointing, and even drew criticism from former Real Madrid striker, Fernando Morientes. Now, according to Defensa Central, the Real Madrid coaching staff were particularly surprised by Mastantuono’s display.
Arbeloa is understood to have spoken privately with the young summer signing and told him something along the lines of: “You were far below your level.”
Having been in good form of late, Mastantuono was handed a start against Benfica but failed to make an impact. Quite the opposite: he was repeatedly overwhelmed by the intensity of the Portuguese side and never managed to impose himself on the game.
Mastantuono, for his part, is fully aware that he is not yet delivering his best version at Real Madrid. This adaptation process is understandable, given the significant differences between Argentine football, La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
At just 18 years old, he still needs time to grow, especially on a physical level and is going through the natural learning curve every young footballer faces. He will need the support of his team-mates and the coaching staff to perform at his fullest potential and become the player Real Madrid believe he can be.
Real Madrid are currently going through a crisis, with very little going their way. They recently lost 4–2 to Benfica and were knocked out of the top eight in the Champions League table. As a result, Los Blancos will now have to compete in the playoffs to reach the knockouts, where they incidentally are set to face Benfica once again.
Real spent a good amount of money bringing in reinforcements at the beginning of the season. However, the results seem to have only gotten worse compared to the last campaign, in which the club notably went trophyless.
This is due to the fact that Real chose to ignore a key reason behind their poor showings. As most Real fans have already guessed, it is the club’s reluctance to address the void left in midfield after the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
Fortunately, there is some good news on that front, as it seems the club have finally come to their senses and acknowledged what fans have already been telling the club management. In fact, La SER have reported that the board have accepted that they failed to bring in replacements for the legendary midfield duo.
Real have recently preferred to invest in young talents rather than going in big for proven superstars.
One way or another, Real will have to find a new setup of midfielders who can control the tempo and provide incisive passes when needed to cut through defences. It’s true that Real already possess some world-class players in the middle of the park, but neither of them has been able to replicate the impact of Kroos and Modric, which is certainly not an easy task but still needs to be achieved.
Jose Mourinho oversaw "the miracle of Da Luz" as Benfica prevailed in dramatic fashion against Real Madrid to keep their Champions League dreams alive, with it being revealed how the ‘Special One’ made that possible. The Portuguese stunned his former employers from the Bernabeu as another impressive entry was added to his distinguished coaching CV.
Questions have been asked of whether Mourinho, at 63 years of age, is cut out for life in modern management. He oversaw trophy wins - including league titles and European successes - at Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Roma.
He did, however, struggle at Tottenham and Fenerbahce in Turkey and returned to his roots in Lisbon aware that his reputation needed to be rebuilt in the eyes of some. A stunning victory over the La Liga giants has helped to highlight how Mourinho has lost none of his spark.
According to AS, who have assessed how Champions League progress against the odds was made possible, "beating Real Madrid was, is, a cry of rebellion - against his critics, against everyone."
Mourinho saw goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, net the crucial goal for Benfica, as he nodded home in the 98th minute and secured a knockout play-off berth by the narrowest of margins but the groundwork had been put in place long before that stunning climax to a thrilling contest in Portugal - with Mourinho and co. initially unaware that they required a fourth on the night.
AS claim that the "key" to Mourinho’s plans was to "liberate his players" with pressure being removed from their shoulders and lumped onto his own. He wanted to "make them understand that there was much more to gain than to lose" and that anything "was possible."
One of the most decorated coaches of the modern era has always been famed for his man-management skills, and they have been put to the test once more. He sought to "instill in his players the idea that it was possible to talk about the impossible."
Pre-match discussions were "filled with conversation, camaraderie, and anecdotes." It wasn't all fun and games, though, as tactically "everything was controlled down to the millimetre." Mourinho was aware that Real would look to "build attacks quickly," with it important to contain that threat. Kylian Mbappe was able to score two goals on the night.
Benfica also identified as a weakness, "Real Madrid's reaction to losing possession." Mourinho challenged his players to win the ball back high up the pitch, in the opposition’s half - thus "forcing Real Madrid into errors." There was "no need to reinvent the wheel," with a tactical blueprint being made as simple as possible.
Benfica also covered more ground than Madrid, by some 10 kilometres, as they outran and outworked their rivals. Victory is said to have shown that Mourinho has lost none of his "hunger to win," with wild celebrations breaking out when Trubin hit the net - with apologies later being offered to the Real bench.
When teams lose, there should be a sense of a collective responsibility. Stars can't blame others but themselves. Even they can cause bad performances. A team crisis can be unpredictable. It can be timeless or short-term. In either case, it needs to be sorted out ASAP.