sports

Real Madrid Players Face Suspension Risk Ahead of Benfica Clash

Three Real Madrid starters are one yellow card away from suspension before the Champions League first‑leg against Benfica. They risk missing the second leg if cautioned.

Real Madrid face a disciplinary dilemma before their first‑leg clash with SL Benfica at Estadio da Luz. Defender Dean Huijsen, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni and defender Álvaro Carreras each have two or four yellow cards in the competition, meaning a caution tonight would trigger a one‑match ban for the second leg.

The Spanish giants won 4‑1 over Real Sociedad but lost 4‑2 to Benfica last month, dropping them out of the top‑eight in the group stage. With the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, the absence of any of the trio could jeopardise Madrid’s chances of reaching the round of 16.