Álvaro Arbeloa doesn't rule out Kylian Mbappé bench against Benfica

Álvaro Arbeloa took to the podium at Valdebebas today to preview Tuesday’s massive Champions League encounter against Benfica (21:00 CET). With the team’s European momentum on the line, the Real Madrid manager opted for a "wait-and-see" approach regarding his star man, Kylian Mbappé.

Arbeloa refused to confirm if the Frenchman would start, noting that the final decision will depend entirely on "what the demands of the match dictate."

While the media has been quick to frame this as a "grudge match" following the recent result in Lisbon, Arbeloa was quick to shut down the drama. For him, the focus is internal:

One of the most anticipated storylines of this tie is Arbeloa facing his former coach, José Mourinho, who now leads the Portuguese giants. Arbeloa struck a balance between professional respect and personal wit when asked about the reunion.

"I have a great relationship with José," Arbeloa quipped. "If I had to invite him to something here at Valdebebas, it would be a nice lunch rather than a tactical talk."

However, the "pupil" made it clear that friendship stops at the touchline: "The good vibes end when the ball rolls. I want to advance; I’ll wish him luck for the rest of the season after the final whistle."

Regarding the opponent, Arbeloa doesn't expect any surprises. He praised the "unmistakable structure" of Mourinho-led teams—characterized by high intensity, tactical order, and the clinical weight of individual stars. He noted that while Benfica has added more offensive weapons recently, their "competitive essence" remains the same as it was weeks ago.

Arbeloa also addressed the team's recent form, denying that their defensive improvement is solely due to switching to a four-midfielder system.

The manager expressed his satisfaction with the squad’s receptiveness since he took over the bench, describing them as a group "hungry to compete and win."