"A 4-2 defeat at Benfica was bad enough, as it condemned the 15-time European champions to the play-offs in their bid to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, but the manner of the performance in Lisbon was even worse. Kylian Mbappe scored twice for Madrid but they were second best for large chunks of the game with the sting in the tail provided by home goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's header deep into stoppage time that also preserved Benfica's place in the competition."
"It seemed Arbeloa had got Madrid back on track after the turbulent, and short, reign of Xabi Alonso. Wins over Levante, Monaco and Villarreal had shown flashes of the old Madrid but the setback in Portugal - and the sight of Arda Guler angrily gesturing after being substituted - was a throwback to October when Alonso and Vinicius Jr fell out."
Real Madrid suffered a damaging 4-2 defeat at Benfica that sent them to the Champions League play-offs and featured a stoppage-time header by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. Kylian Mbappe scored twice but publicly criticised the team's desire, calling the concession 'embarrassing', increasing pressure on coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Arbeloa had previously overseen wins over Levante, Monaco and Villarreal, but recent issues recall earlier internal tensions. Real sit a point behind Barcelona ahead of the weekend. Rayo Vallecano have lost three straight matches but hold a solid recent record against Madrid. Squad absences and selection dilemmas affect both teams.
Read at 101GREATGOALS.COM
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