Vinicius Jr. And Real Madrid are preparing for what is likely to be an emotional return match against Benfica. champions league playoffs Wednesday as Italian football heads towards humiliation.
Madrid held a 1-0 lead over Benfica in last week’s first leg, but it was overshadowed by Vinicius’ claims that his opponent Gianluca Prestiani called him a “monkey” after the Brazilian forward scored and celebrated at the home corner flag.
Prestiani is Denies racial insults against Vinicius He faced him while covering his mouth with his jersey, but will not play in Wednesday’s game at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium as he has been handed a provisional one-match ban by UEFA.
Still, Prestiani is in Spain for the match, and the atmosphere inside the Bernabéu is sure to be heated as Madrid look to maintain their record of reaching the last 16 every year this century.
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho, who previously managed Madrid, was also suspended after being sent off at the end of the first leg.
Italy on the brink
It could be an embarrassing night for Italy, who have not progressed to the round of 16 since it was reintroduced in 2003-04.
Serie A champions Napoli finished 30th in the 36-team league and failed to advance to the playoffs, while last year’s finalist Inter Milan Small Norwegian team lost to Bodø/Glimt in the playoffs on Tuesday.
They will then head to Atalanta and Juventus to defend Italy’s proud record in the competition, who are up against it.
Juventus lost to Galatasaray 5-2 after the first leg, while Atalanta were trailing Borussia Dortmund 2-0.
PSG in charge of French Open match
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain fought back from a 2-0 deficit within 20 minutes of the first leg to take a 3-2 lead over Monaco in the all-French clash.
Bodo/Glimt, Atletico Madrid, Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen all advanced on Tuesday.
The draw for the round of 16 will take place on Friday.
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Steve Douglas is https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
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