This is just the first game so I think it will be quite cagey. One thing people forget about that last game because of the way it dramatically ended is Benfica played brilliantly. They really played Real Madrid off the park. They do know they've got the firepower to hurt Real Madrid. Madrid are very up and down this season and just changed manager recently, so they'll feel they have a chance.

Source: BBC February 17, 2026 19:52 UTC