Emilio Butragueño shared his thoughts on Real Madrid’s upcoming Champions League playoff against Benfica after the draw held in Nyon. Speaking on Realmadrid TV, the club’s Director of Institutional Relations highlighted the unusual nature of the fixture and the importance of getting things right from the start.

“We’re going back to Lisbon. It’s strange because we hadn’t played them for 60 years, and now we’re facing them three times in one month. We need to get a good result. Benfica played a very strong match recently and showed their qualities, which will help us prepare properly for the first leg and aim for a positive outcome before finishing the job at the Bernabéu,” he said.

Butragueño insisted that Real Madrid must approach the tie with a winning mentality despite having the second leg at home. “We have to go there with the intention of winning. That’s our identity. Even though the return leg is at the Bernabéu, the first match is where we need to send a clear message.”

He also underlined the importance of Madrid’s attacking strength. “We have players up front who can decide a match at any moment, and we must make the most of that. Defensive solidity is essential, but a big part of our strength comes from our attack.”

Looking ahead to the coming weeks, Butragueño stressed the value of preparation and recovery. “We now have two weeks that should allow us to train well, recover injured players, and rest. We have to use this time wisely because an important phase of the season is beginning, and every match can bring you closer to the title or take you further away.”

Finally, he emphasized unity and squad availability as key factors. “We have to continue with the energy and togetherness we’ve shown. There’s a lot of talent in this team, and hopefully we can recover most of the injured players. This is a decisive stage, and it would be crucial for Arbeloa to have almost the entire squad available.”

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