Barcelona took an advantage of 1-0 in the second floor of its round of the 16 champions league against Benfica on Tuesday evening.
After ahead of a new goals thriller in Lisbon during the league phase, only one strike separated the two games last week after Pau Cubarsi was sent in the first half. Hansi Flick visitors were forced to defend themselves a little deeper in order to keep the hosts in length, and their defensive display measured prepared the field for an impressive victory.
Raphinha came again Trumps for the Blaugrana while her superb distance finish turned out to be a laureate.
The side of Flick was not in domestic action this weekend either due to the death of Club Doctor Carles Minarro Garcia died during the preparation for the match on Saturday against Osasuna, leading to the postponement of the competition.
Benfica, at the rear of their defeat at the first stage at home, returned to win on Saturday when they beat Nacional 3-0 in the Liga de Primeira. Bruno Lage’s team will always continue the Sports CP at the top, with their deficit, now, three points having played a less game.
Here is 90 minutes Guide to the second stage of Tuesday in Catalonia.
Barcelona vs Benfica Record head-to-head (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
Barcelona | Benfica |
|---|---|
Benfica 0-1 Barcelona – 05/03/25 | Benfica 3-0 Nacional – 08/03/25 |
Barcelona 4-0 Real Sociedad – 02/03/25 | Benfica 0-1 Barcelona – 05/03/25 |
Barcelona 4-4 Atletico Madrid – 02/25/25 | Benfica 1-0 Braga – 02/26/25 |
Las Palmas 0-2 Barcelona – 02/22/25 | Benfica 3-0 Boavista – 02/22/25 |
Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano – 02/17/25 | Benfica 3-3 Monaco – 02/18/25 |
Country | TV channel / live flow |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Discovery +, Discovery + App, TNT SPORTS 1 |
UNITED STATES | Paramount +, tudn.com, univision now, tudn app, tudn usa, unimás |
Canada | Dazn Canada |
Flick was ready to rest and shoot for the match on Saturday before his postponement, with Robert Lewandowski absent from the fully because of fatigue. However, the veteran striker should be back in the departure XI on Tuesday evening.
Barcelona is without the Pau Cubarsi suspended after his red card in Lisbon, which means that Ronald Araujo is a shoo-in to start alongside Inigo Martinez. Andreas Christensen is also injured.
Marc-André Ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are sidelined for hosts, but Gavi has recovered from a disease and will play a role in the second stage.
Barcelona predicted the programming against Benfica (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
The very considered left back, Alvaro Fernandez, lack of suspension. The young Spaniard picked up his third yellow card from the competition in the first step.
On the injury front, Benfica is without Alexander Bah and Manu Silva due to ACL tears, while Tiago Gouveia has been absent for some time with a shoulder injury.
Angel Di Maria seems ready to miss again and Benfica cannot call on the arrival of winter Bruma, who started the four games of the Benfica League, because it was not included in their team of the Champions League after joining the club.
Benfica predicted the programming against Barcelona (4-3-3): Trubin; Santos, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; AURSNES, BARREIRO, KOKCU; Akturkoglu, Schjelderup, Pavlidis.
The second floor arrives in difficult circumstances for Barcelona, but they are an excellent form team. Last week’s victory in Lisbon means that they are now 16 undefeated games and, physically, the Flick team will benefit from the match on Saturday.
Benfica was able to create chances last week and Barça required a vintage performance Wojciech Szczesny to keep a white sheet. Expect that visitors have a certain joy on Tuesday given the profiles they have on the front line, but they will need a mini-miracle to progress in the last eight.
The hosts simply have too much talent in attack to contain, and Benfica’s journey to the Champions League should arrive at a rather tamed end this week.
