Improvement confirmed. Real Madrid wobbled through the opening half hour of their return to Da Luz on Tuesday - just three weeks after collapsing there and plunging themselves into Champions League trouble that forced this playoff. But eventually, they found their rhythm, the same one they had showcased in last weekend’s emphatic league win over Real Sociedad. Álvaro Arbeloa’s side beat Benfica 1-0 in a match overshadowed by Vinícius Júnior’s allegation that he was racially abused by Gianluca Prestianni, but one in which Madrid also did more than enough to win by a wider margin. They outshot Benfica overall (16 to 10) and put more on target (7 to 3). Vinícius’ stunning goal proved decisive, and Madrid can finally start burying a debate that has dominated their season for far too long.
In the buildup, Eduardo Camavinga was asked whether Madrid needed a true midfield organizer - someone different from the profiles already in the squad, capable of dictating play. In short, a Toni Kroos-type player, the kind who ends matches with something close to 100 completed passes. The Frenchman joked first, asking the reporter to give his own opinion, before offering his take: “I don’t think so. We already have players with those characteristics. There are a lot of good players out on the field and that’s not our focus right now.” He even put his own name forward: “I’m capable of doing that, I can do it. I know what I can bring, and I know I can do it much better now. Yes, I can be that organizer.”
What unfolded at Da Luz showed that, even without a single designated conductor, Madrid do have a midfield capable of sharing that role collectively. Whether a true standout emerges over time remains to be seen. In Lisbon, Madrid made 620 passes - their highest total in this season’s Champions League - of which 549 were accurate (89%). And it was a shared effort: all four midfielders completed at least 45 passes. Arda Güler had the fewest (46) and Feder Valverde the most (70), with Camavinga (50) and Aurélien Tchouaméni (54) in between. The back line also played its part: Dean Huijsen completed an impressive 99 passes, Álvaro Carreras 70, Trent Alexander-Arnold 63, and Antonio Rüdiger 64.
In short, it was a collective construction. Though some stood out more than others. Tchouaméni, deservedly named the game’s MVP, delivered one of his best performances in a Real Madrid shirt - especially defensively, where he repeatedly shut down Benfica’s attacks: three-for-three on tackles won, four interceptions, three recoveries, five-for-five in aerial duels, two clearances… And on the ball, he kept it simple and clean, completing 85% of his passes.
Bellingham, the missing piece
Tchouaméni’s strong form is nothing new, as Arbeloa reminded everyone afterward. The real positive for Madrid is that the rest of the midfield took a step up: Camavinga backed up his claim that he can be that organizer with a sparkling 96% pass completion and six ball recoveries; Valverde was everywhere on the right side, also recovering six balls and creating two chances; and Güler, the most advanced of the four, played as a true attacking midfielder - working hard (three recoveries) and threatening Benfica’s goal with four shots, two on target, forcing a brilliant save from Anatoliy Trubin in the first half.
Now the question is: what happens when Jude Bellingham returns? It’s hard to imagine the Englishman - a signing north of $115 million - sitting on the bench. His form this season has fallen short of expectations, and there are growing doubts about where he fits outside of the false-nine role in which he thrived during his debut campaign in Madrid. When he’s back, Arbeloa will be forced to make a decision. Until then, this Los Blancos seem to have found their midfielder organizer: everyone.