Four matches is not much to go on,especially when assessing a Real Madrid coach.Imperfect versions of this team are supposed to breeze through many of their domestic challenges and usually do, something that is not unique to Alvaro Arbeloa two weeks after assuming the helm. The surprise defeat to second division Albacete Balompie in the Copa del Rey notwithstanding, Arbeloa has followed that up with three successive wins, wins they likely would have collected if Xabi Alonso was still in charge. One thing is clear, though – if Alonso had to be convinced to find a place for both Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior on the field, Arbeloa understood the task from the start.
The power balance has always been the club’s defining feature, for better or for worse, and remains the theme of the season even as the team grapples with life after Alonso’s surprise ouster earlier this month. Arbeloa has obviously been tasked with finding some tactical harmony with Vinicius and Mbappe, starting the pair in each match since the Copa del Rey defeat. The results have been favorable – they have outscored the opponents 12 to four in those three games and generate 2.4 expected goals per game, identical to their season average thus far. Mbappe has scored five goals in each of those games while Vinicius notched a goal and two assists in last week’s victory over monaco in the UEFA Champions League. Everything is trending in the right direction, at least for the time being.
“I don’t think it’s changed that much, every coach has his own way of training, but maybe something is clicking better now,” thibaut Courtois said after a win over Villarreal over the weekend, signaling what the results indicate.
How to watch Benfica vs. Real Madrid, odds
- Date: Wednesday, Jan. 28 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio da Luz — Lisbon, Portugal
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Benfica +300; Draw +310; Real madrid -125
One question continues to loom large over Los Blancos this season,though — is this strategy going to work against more challenging opponents,and when might we finally get those answers?
The answers are unlikely to come on Wednesday at Benfica,even if the Portuguese side really need the points. The team currently sit in 29th place, two points outside the top 24 and in need of a win to even have a shot at reaching the knockout phase playoffs.Jose Mourinho’s hire, which came after a shock defeat to Qarabag on Matchday 1, has not offered the jolt the team’s higher-ups may have hoped for - they are amongst the Champions League’s worst attacking teams with just six goals from 9.02 expected goals in seven games, their middle-of-the-pack defensive operation so far, not enough to rescue them from pro
WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Governance (FAA) extended its grounding of all Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft on January 27, 2026, after a panel door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines flight earlier this month. The agency stated it won’t lift the ban until it’s satisfied Boeing has completed a thorough inspection and remediation plan.
The FAA’s decision follows a January 26, 2026, meeting with Boeing representatives. During the meeting, Boeing presented its initial findings and proposed inspection procedures. The FAA deemed the plan insufficient,demanding a more thorough approach.
“Safety is our top priority,” said FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker in a press statement. “We need to be certain that every 737 MAX 9 is safe before it returns to service. Boeing must demonstrate that its quality control processes are robust and effective.”
The grounding affects approximately 171 aircraft worldwide, impacting airlines globally.Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the two U.S. carriers operating the MAX 9, have cancelled hundreds of flights and are scrambling to accommodate passengers.
Boeing shares fell sharply on January 27, 2026, closing down 8.2% amid growing concerns about the company’s manufacturing standards. This incident marks the latest setback for Boeing, which faced intense scrutiny following two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that led to a nearly two-year grounding of the entire MAX fleet.
the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an independent examination into the Alaska Airlines incident. Preliminary reports indicate that several bolts securing the door plug where missing.The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report within the next few weeks.
Airlines are offering refunds or rebookings to affected passengers. Travelers are encouraged to check with their airlines for the latest flight data.Alaska Airlines and united Airlines have dedicated pages for updates on the MAX 9 grounding.
The FAA’s extended grounding underscores the agency’s commitment to rigorous oversight of Boeing’s manufacturing processes. The situation continues to evolve, and the FAA has not yet set a firm date for lifting the ban.
