Real Madrid have several key players at risk of suspension for Wednesday’s game against Benfica, with six players missing from the Champions League last-16 first leg if the Spanish side advance.
These players are Alvaro Carreras, Aurelian Chumeni, Dean Huizen, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham.
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Among them, only Carreras, Chumeni and Vinicius are expected to start for Real Madrid on Wednesday. Bellingham and Rodrygo are still recovering from injuries, while Huyson is dealing with a minor discomfort that could limit him to the bench.
Even if Real Madrid advances, the disciplinary situation of these players will not be reset, and they are one yellow card away from the next round of suspension. This reality increases the likelihood that Arbeloa will eventually need to rotate the lineup and rely on substitutes if Real Madrid continue to stay in the game.