Real Madrid host SL Benfica at Estadio da Luz for the first leg of their Champions League playoff. The Spanish side comes off a 4‑1 win over Real Sociedad and looks to overturn a 4‑2 loss to Mourinho’s men at the same venue last month.
Three regular starters—midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, defender Dean Huijsen and defender Álvaro Carreras—are each one yellow card away from suspension. A caution in tonight’s game would mean they miss the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, putting the club’s progress to the Round of 16 at risk.