Does Richard Rios play today? Where to watch Benfica vs Napoli today in the Champions League

Richard Rios, Colombian midfielder for Benfica, is confirmed in the starting lineup for the clash against Napoli this Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Estádio of Luz, at Lisboa, Portugal. The game, valid for the sixth round of the UEFA league phase José Mourinho, Portuguese coach, opted for the presence of Rios in midfield alongside Enzo Barrenechea, reinforcing marking and transition in a crucial duel.

The complete Benfica lineup was released hours before kickoff, in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Anatoliy Trubin in goal; Amar Dedić, Tomás Araújo, Nicolás Otamendi and Samuel Dahl in defense; Richard Rios and Barrenechea in the middle; Fredrik Aursnes, Leandro Barreiro and Georgiy Sudakov on support; Franjo Ivanović as center forward. Do Italian side, Antonio Conte climbed Napoli in 3-4-2-1: Vanja Milinković-Savić; Sam Beukema, Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Eljif Elmas, Scott McTominay and Mathias Olivera; David Neres and Noa Lang; Rasmus Højlund.

Benfica occupies 30th place with three points, after a 2-0 victory over Ajax in the previous round, while Napoli is in 20th with seven points, coming from triumphs over Sporting and Qarabag. Slavko Vinčić, a Slovenian referee, commands the match, known for an average of 4.2 cards per game.

• Rios will act as the first midfielder, focusing on interceptions and long throws.
• Its inclusion responds to the absence of injuries, ensuring tactical balance.
• Napoli prioritizes counterattacks, with Højlund as a reference in attack.

Role of Richard Rios in Mourinho’s scheme

Richard Rios enters the field at 20 years of age and with a rising market value, after recent transfers that brought him to Benfica. In the last game against Sporting, he completed 85% of his passes and recovered five balls, numbers that justify his starting role today. Mourinho praised his reading of the game in a preview press conference, highlighting Rios’s ability to break down opposing lines with vertical passes.

The 4-2-3-1 formation allows Rios to act more advanced when the team has possession, connecting defense and attack with Sudakov. In 12 matches this season, the Colombian contributed two assists in Champions, surpassing the Benfica midfield average in creating chances. Sua’s presence balances the team, especially against the physical environment of Napoli led by McTominay.

This tactical choice contrasts with past options, where Rios entered in the second half; Now, start the 90 minutes to press hard from the opening whistle. Analistas point out that his tackle rate, at 2.1 per game, can neutralize Italy’s quick transitions.

Recent performance of Benfica with Rios on the field

Benfica drew 1-1 with Sporting last weekend, remaining unbeaten at home in four games in Campeonato Português. Com Rios as a starter in this match, the team controlled 58% of possession and limited their rival to three dangerous shots. Na Champions, the victory over Ajax marked the end of a bad sequence, with Otamendi and Sudakov standing out, but Rios as a pillar in recovering balls.

These results show evolution: Benfica scores an average of 1.2 goals at home this season, but concedes 0.8 per match. Rios increases these numbers, with the team conceding fewer goals when he plays, thanks to his coverage of spaces. The fans fill the Estádio of the Luz with 65 thousand tickets sold, creating extra pressure on the Napoli.

The European record at home weighs heavily: Benfica has won 60% of its games at Luz since 2020, but faces the Italians with caution, after three defeats in four recent duels with Napoli.

Napoli’s strategies against Benfica’s midfield

Antonio Conte maintains the defensive trio with Beukema, Rrahmani and McTominay and Elmas anchor the midfield, focusing on aerial duels against Rios and Barrenechea. Napoli converts 40% of its chances into counterattacks away from home, exploiting the speed of Neres and Lang.

Højlund, with two goals against Juventus at the weekend, leads the Italian attack, racking up five consecutive victories in all competitions. Na Serie A, the team has 31 points in 14 rounds, with 22 goals scored. Lesões force repetition of the starting eleven, limiting variations.

The confrontation can be resolved in the first 20 minutes, a period in which both teams score in 70% of games in the Champions. Modelos predictions give Napoli a 42% chance of winning, with under 2.5 goals in 60% of scenarios.

Impact of injuries on both teams

Benfica loses Dodi Lukébakio due to an ankle fracture and Alexander Bah due to a cruciate ligament, while Henrique Araújo and Bruma are muscular doubts. Essas absences reduce offensive options, but Rios gets more minutes to compensate. Substitutos as Vangelis Pavlidis and Andreas Schjelderup wait on the bench for the second half.

In Napoli, Stanislav Lobotka, Billy Gilmour and Frank Anguissa are out due to muscle injuries; Kevin De Bruyne, Miguel Gutiérrez, Alex Meret and Romelu Lukaku complete the list. Conte depends on Elmas to improvise, with the team conceding nine goals in Champions. Essas casualties expose vulnerabilities in travel, with four consecutive defeats away from home.

Rios, without physical problems, appears as a difference maker, with a 15% conversion rate into chances created. The game tests adaptations: Benfica seeks possession, Napoli bets on efficiency.

Live streaming and global accessibility

HBO Max broadcasts the game live to Brasil, with audio in Portuguese and real-time analysis, starting at 5pm on Brasília. On channel Space, closed TV covers it with local narration 30 minutes before. Para Europa, UEFA.tv offers free in selected markets, and Prime Video on Portugal.

Official Champions applications send goal alerts and statistics at no cost. Plataformas recorded 2 million views in the previous round, with peaks in balanced duels like this one.

Fans add to calendar via apps for reminders, ensuring broad coverage.

Historical confrontations and initial expectations

Benfica and Napoli face each other for the fifth time, with the Italians winning three of the previous four, including duels in 2016. Benfica seeks to reverse this trend at home, where the crowd factor drives 60% of European victories. Rios, in their first European classic against the Italians, has expectations of neutralizing the opponent’s half.

Statistics indicate balance: 40% chance of both scoring, with Vinčić ensuring low discipline on cards. The winner advances in the table, while a draw favors Napoli. Exhausted Ingressos create an intense atmosphere at Luz.