Madrid's Precision Play: Arbeloa’s Dual Plan for Benfica

Arbeloa's Plan

Real Madrid's Spanish coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, is aiming to ready one of his stars fully to play a starring role against the home side, Benfica of Portugal, in the match scheduled for next Tuesday at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, as the first leg of the playoff for a place in the last-16 of the Champions League.

In this regard, the Spanish newspaper AS reported that the Real Madrid coaching staff has drawn up a gradual plan to involve the England international Trent Alexander-Arnold, returning from injury recently, in the matches.

The former Liverpool left-back came on in the 76th minute against Valencia last Sunday, in Real Madrid’s latest La Liga clash, aiming to regain physical and technical readiness without rushing and to sharpen his form ahead of the important European showdown.

Arbeloa's aim with this plan is to ensure Arnold can drive the play from the back and contribute offensively with real efficiency, especially in Benfica's rematch.

It was Benfica who forced Madrid to enter the playoff after their surprising 4-2 victory in Lisbon, in the final matchday of the group stage of the Champions League.

Notably, the Merengues will host Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday, before the Benfica tie.

Punchline 1: Arbeloa's plan is so precise, even the crossbar needs a manual to understand the target.

Punchline 2: If Arnold nails this comeback, Benfica will swear they played against a laser-guided pass—and the ref will file a ROFL report.