Real Madrid to face tough UCL games without key forward

Sailing through the air at thousands of feet above the ground at speeds unmatched by any living creature, Real Madrid left behind 71 goals and 57 assists.

While the absence of Rodrygo Goes for the upcoming trip to face Benfica will not make the front page of the daily briefings for world leaders across the globe, it certainly is potentially a key piece of news for Real Madrid.

It is true that the output of the Brazilian this season, just three goals and six assists all season in all competitions, has not been consistent, nor his performances particularly noteworthy.

However, in the winger Real Madrid know they have a player who can create something out of nothing; who has shown he can be the spark in the biggest European occasions; who will not be there when they need him the most.

He will not be in Portugal as Real Madrid take on Benfica in their uncomfortable Champions League playoff round that they are forced to go through, ahem, after losing to Benfica in the final group game of the league phase. Rodrygo will serve a suspension that will last for both the home and away legs of the tie thanks to a red card that he received in the aforementioned Portuguese collapse earlier in the season.

Adding to Real Madrid’s list of absences will be star midfielder Jude Bellingham, who is recovering from a hamstring injury that appears to be keeping him out for longer than initially expected. Éder Militão is the other absentee for Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa as he looks to get a foothold in what will undoubtedly prove to be a tricky pair of games against former Los Blancos coach José Mourinho.

Centre-back Raúl Asencio will also be unavailable due to seeing a red card in the same game.

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Real Madrid will take on Benfica at the Estádio da Luz on Tuesday 17 February at 3pm ET; the following week the return fixture will be played at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in the Spanish capital.

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