Real Madrid suffered a 4-2 defeat against Benfica in the Champions League, with the decisive corner-kick goal scored by the Eagles’ goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin. This loss has complicated Madrid’s journey, forcing them to compete in the playoff round to secure a spot in the Round of 16.
The draw for the playoff round is scheduled for Friday, January 30. It is already clear, however, that two players — Rodrygo and Raul Asencio — will definitely miss the first fixture.
The winger and defender were both sent off during the match, leading to an automatic one-game suspension in European competitions. Following the incident, the Brazilian forward took to social media the day after the game to issue an apology to Real Madrid fans.
“Yesterday, I let my emotions get the better of me while reacting to time-wasting tactics. This behavior doesn’t reflect who I am. I’ve never been sent off while playing for Real Madrid, and I fully understand the consequences of my actions.
I want to apologize to the fans, the club, my teammates, and the coach. We will stay united and continue fighting for this crest and the Champions League,” wrote Rodrygo.
This season, Rodrygo has appeared in 25 matches, spending a total of 1,058 minutes on the pitch. He has contributed 3 goals and 6 assists. The Brazilian is under contract with the club until June 2028.
In recent months, speculation about the 25-year-old’s potential departure has increased, with several Premier League teams showing strong interest in signing him.