"I could call Mourinho at three in the morning and he'd answer." That's what Álvaro Arbeloa said before visiting Benfica's stadium on the final matchday of the Champions League group stage. It was a crazy match that went to the home side (4-2) with a goal from goalkeeper Trubin in the 98th minute, which secured the Portuguese team's place in the round of 32 (a 3-2 victory would have eliminated them on goal difference). Real Madrid's defeat – combined with the other results of the day – also dropped them from third to ninth place and forced them to play this qualifying round to reach the round of 16. The draw has paired Arbeloa with Mourinho once again. The first leg will be on February 17th or 18th at the Estádio da Luz, while the return leg will be on February 24th or 25th at the Bernabéu.

"Why?" This is the question on the minds of many Real Madrid fans after their 4-2 defeat at Benfica, which left them outside the top eight in the Champions League. The script for the final European night was worthy of an Oscar-nominated film. Barça came from behind to beat Copenhagen 4-1 and finish fifth, while Mourinho, the special oneHe won the battle against Álvaro Arbeloa, forcing Real Madrid to play two more matches if they want to reach the round of 16. With Real Madrid in ninth place, Bodø/Glimt – who come into this match after beating Manchester City (3-1) and Atlético Madrid (1-2) – or José Mourinho's Benfica are the likely opponents for Los Blancos in the round of 32. The draw takes place this Friday.

Real Madrid wins with a penalty, momentarily closing the gap on Barcelona, but their performance is far from convincing (2-0). The Bernabéu has delivered its verdict after the elimination from the Copa del Rey at the hands of Albacete (3-2)The dismissal of Xabi Alonso, combined with Álvaro Arbeloa's first match – which failed to impress – has provoked a reaction from Real Madrid fans, who have targeted Vinícius, Bellingham, and the new manager with constant whistles every time they touched the ball or appeared on the video screens. In the opening minutes of the match against Levante, the Bernabéu crowd chanted slogans directed at the presidential box and waved white handkerchiefs, calling for the president's resignation. This is not the only act of protest seen recently in Madrid, as several banners against Florentino Pérez have appeared in the city in the last few hours. "Super League, parking, stadium... From failure to failure, a finished president," one of these posters read..