Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa has dismissed the possibility of a tactical ambush by José Mourinho, asserting that he fully understands his former mentor’s strategic playbook. The two managers will face off on Tuesday night at the Estádio da Luz for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout playoff. Speaking to the media on Monday, Arbeloa emphasized that his deep personal and professional history with the Portuguese manager provides him with a clear blueprint of what to expect from the Benfica side.
Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January, led a defiant press conference in Lisbon, signaling that Real Madrid enters the tie with a high level of preparedness. He suggested that Mourinho’s penchant for psychological warfare and structural discipline is a known quantity that he intends to counter with the team’s internal intensity. The manager believes that the tactical identity of any Mourinho-led team remains consistent, regardless of the personnel available on the pitch.
“I don’t think José [Mourinho] can surprise me because I know perfectly what he is capable of,” Arbeloa said. “It doesn’t matter if Benfica showed up with the Youth League team; I knew the intensity Real Madrid would bring to the pitch. Obviously, tomorrow will be more of the same. I know they can even play better, and we’ve to be prepared for that.”
The stakes remain incredibly high for the Spanish giants, who find themselves in the playoff round after a dramatic 4-2 loss to Benfica in the final league phase match just three weeks ago. That defeat, characterized by a last-minute goal from Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, forced the 15-time champions into this two-legged battle for a spot in the Round of 16. Arbeloa expects his squad to maintain absolute concentration for the full 90 minutes to avoid a repeat of the late-game collapse that marred their previous visit to Lisbon.
Despite the competitive tension, Arbeloa reiterated his respect for the “Special One,” describing him as a close friend while maintaining his intent to eliminate the Portuguese club. Real Madrid enters the fixture in strong domestic form, having recently secured a dominant 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad. With star forward Kylian Mbappé fit and leading the attack, Arbeloa aims to translate this La Liga momentum into a decisive European advantage before the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu next week.
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