Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham out of the game against Benfica: What’s going on?

Real Madrid is going through a critical moment in their season, and the absence of two key stars, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham, increases the pressure on the team. As the Merengues prepare to face Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League group stage playoffs, the lack of these two players could not come at a worse time. The team, which has seen its league position drop from third to ninth, needs a convincing performance to secure advancement to the knockout stage.

Rodrygo, the speedy Brazilian winger, will not be on the pitch due to a suspension resulting from a straight red card in his last match against Benfica. The player was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession for unsporting behavior, jeopardizing his participation not only in this match but in both legs of the tie. To make matters worse, the 25-year-old forward was also dealing with a thigh muscle injury, meaning that even without the suspension, it would have been unlikely to see him in action.

With Rodrygo absent, coach Álvaro Arbeloa will have to rely on Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé to lead the team’s attack. The explosive combination between the two could be the key to unlocking the Benfica defense and securing a positive result in Lisbon.

On the other hand, Jude Bellingham, the English prodigy, also joins the list of absentees due to a serious injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg. The young talent left the field in tears on February 1, and forecasts indicate that he could be out for up to eight weeks. His absence is a heavy blow for Real Madrid, considering that Bellingham has stood out as one of the most decisive players of the season, known for his ability to create magical plays and score crucial goals.

Under intense pressure to replace Bellingham, young Arda Güler will be called to take on a central role not only against Benfica, but in the coming weeks while the Englishman is sidelined. Although Güler does not possess the same defensive skills as Bellingham, he has shown an impressive connection with Mbappé and has the ability to execute free kicks with precision. This partnership could be vital for the merengues if they want to leave Lisbon with an advantage in the tie.

Expectations are high and the responsibility falls on the shoulders of those remaining on the pitch. The match against Benfica promises to be a litmus test for Real Madrid, which needs to demonstrate resilience and creativity to advance in the Champions League, even without two of its stars.