Benfica, the Portuguese football club, has lodged an official complaint with UEFA against Federico Valverde, a midfielder for Real Madrid, due to alleged violent behavior during their Champions League qualifying match. Reports indicate that Valverde was involved in an incident with Swedish defender Samuel Dahl in the 83rd minute of the first leg, which lacked a foul call from the referee, and the VAR did not intervene either. This raises questions about officiating decisions in such critical moments of high-stakes matches.

The incident has sparked significant discussion among commentators, with referee analyst Itoraldy Gonzalez from the newspaper 'AS' asserting that Valverde's actions warranted a red card. Gonzalez emphasized that Valverde delivered a punch without provocation, suggesting that the referee's failure to act in this instance is a serious oversight that undermines the integrity of the match. Such remarks highlight a growing concern regarding player safety and officiating standards in football.

As Benfica awaits UEFA’s disciplinary committee's verdict, the club is likely strategizing for the return leg of the knockout tie scheduled for the following Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. The outcome of this complaint may have significant implications for Valverde and possibly influence the dynamics of the upcoming match, as the team prepares to face Real Madrid on their home turf amidst heightened tension surrounding the incident.