Benfica’s €9.6M Champions League Clash and Winter Olympics Coverage

Why This Matters

€9.6 M at stake

Advancing would drop that sum into Benfica’s coffers, money usually reinvested in youth and stadium upgrades.

Travel squeeze

Airfares for Lisbon–Madrid on match-day weekend are already 35 % higher than the February average; CP and RENFE say rail seats are very limited.

UEFA coefficient pressure

An early Benfica exit would weaken Portugal’s grip on an automatic Champions League spot in 2027.

Prime-time viewing

The Portugal Sports Network confirmed an open-signal broadcast; no extra subscription required.

The Story So Far

Real Madrid left the Estádio da Luz with a 1-0 advantage, courtesy of Vinícius Júnior, in a first leg marred by an 11-minute stoppage for alleged racist abuse. José Mourinho’s late red card means the Benfica manager will watch the return fixture from the directors’ box at the Bernabéu. Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa insisted this week that "nothing is settled" but quietly welcomed the suspensions of Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio, which clear room for Kylian Mbappé’s preferred two-striker system.

Tactical Tweaks Before Madrid Night

Benfica arrived back in Seixal on Sunday to find Ángel Di María still nursing a calf strain. Club physios say the 37-year-old "could play 30 minutes at best." Expect a 3-4-2-1 with Rafa Silva and João Mário tucking inside to protect the flanks – a shape Mourinho trialled in January’s 4-2 group-stage win over the same opponents. Real, meanwhile, regain Jude Bellingham for a cameo after two weeks out; Arbeloa hinted the Englishman “may finish, rather than start.”

What This Means for Residents

Season-ticket holders travelling by road should brace for the new Spanish low-emission zones around the Bernabéu – foreign-registered vehicles need a digital permit. Airlines note that a Tuesday-morning return flight is 40 % cheaper than the post-match red-eye, and TAP is adding a midnight extra. For stay-at-home fans, kickoff lands in the traditional dinner slot (20:00); Super Bock confirmed “beer run” discounts via Glovo between 18:30 and 19:30 in Lisbon, Porto and Faro.

Iberian League Round-Up

While Europe’s gaze is on Lisbon–Madrid, Barcelona host Girona later tonight in a Catalan derby that could return Xavi’s side to the La Liga summit. A Barça win would retake top spot on goal difference; anything else leaves the door open for Real to focus fully on Europe without losing domestic ground. Spanish rights-holder Eleven Portugal will stream the match, commentary in Portuguese, as part of its basic pack.

Winter Games: Portugal’s View From the Sofa

Italy, France and Team GB lit up the Milão-Cortina slopes over the weekend – but Portuguese broadcasters report solid late-night audiences despite the absence of local athletes. Host nation Italy leads the trio with 9 golds after Federica Brignone’s double in alpine skiing. France smashed its previous medal record to sit on 16 total, helped by a flawless biathlon relay. Team GB rides a skeleton renaissance, grabbing three historic golds. RTP2 maintains its nightly highlights show; the channel says viewership among 18-34-year-olds is up 22 % compared with Beijing 2022.

Looking Ahead

Benfica’s squad departs Humberto Delgado Airport on Monday morning; Mourinho speaks at 18:00.

Ticket resale platforms currently list away-end seats at €270 minimum – triple face value.

The Champions League round-of-16 draw takes place two days after the Madrid leg; Portuguese clubs still active will share an extra €1.2 M in market-pool revenue.

For now, Lisbon’s hopes rest on overturning a one-goal deficit. If Benfica pull it off, Portuguese football pockets the cash, the coefficient points, and – perhaps most importantly – a dose of mid-season optimism.