Real Madrid are currently on a three-match winning streak under new caretaker head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso earlier this month. And, they are aiming to seal a top-eight place in the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League.
But which teams could Los Blancos face in the last-16 stage of the European competition?
Real Madrid’s Champions League Situation Decoded
Real Madrid, who have lost two Champions League matches this term, are currently in third place in the continental table. They are currently on 15 points from seven games, the same as Premier League side Liverpool, who are fourth due to an inferior goal difference.
The La Liga outfit’s goal difference saw a massive boost after their 6-1 home win over Ligue 1 side AS Monaco last Wednesday. Hence, they are highly likely to finish third if they defeat Portuguese club Benfica at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon this Wednesday, Jan. 28.
Although a draw against Jose Mourinho’s side could prove to be enough for Los Merengues, Arbeloa’s team could still potentially drop out of the top eight spots. If they lose to Benfica, they could be overtaken by Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Newcastle United, Chelsea, Barcelona, Sporting CP, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and Atalanta could also leave Real Madrid behind. The eight teams are all on 13 points, with favorable results and a Los Blancos loss likely to alter positions.
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As things stand, the Santiago Bernabeu outfit would likely face one of Inter Milan, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, and Olympique Marseille in the Champions League last-16 stage.
Alvaro Arbeloa Praised After Recent Real Madrid Win
Former Real Madrid forward and manager Jorge Valdano has heaped praise on Arbeloa after Los Blancos‘ 2-0 win, their sixth straight league victory, at Villarreal on Sunday, Jan. 25.
“I think Arbeloa is working very well with the confidence of his players. The motivation with which they played against Villarreal was tremendous… with a total connection in the game, from minute 1 to 90. Something that didn’t happen with Xabi Alonso. With Xabi, they came out of the locker room with a long lesson learned,” the Argentine commented.
Arbeloa, who will next face his former manager, Mourinho, has helped Los Merengues sit in second place in the La Liga standings. His team are on 51 points from 21 outings, just one point behind reigning La Liga champions and arch-rivals Barcelona.
