Benfica and Barcelona meet for the second time in this season’s Champions League with a place in the quarter-finals on the line this time.
By Graham Ruthven
High expectations
Nine goals were shared between Benfica and Barcelona the last time they met in this season’s Champions League with the Catalans leaving Lisbon with a famous 5-4 win which saw them score three goals in the closing stages.
The Portuguese side have made a habit of generating such excitement in the Champions League this season having made the last 16 with a 4-3 aggregate win over Monaco. Bruno Lage would surely settle for something calmer on Wednesday.
Barcelona, however, aren’t involved in many calm games. They were the top scorers of the league phase, netting 28 goals in just eight matches, and come into Wednesday’s fixture against Benfica having scored eight goals in their last two outings.
Benfica also enter the last 16 tie in strong form, winning seven of their last eight in all competitions. They have also scored in all but one of their home games this season. Barcelona will be tested.
Key players
Vangelis Pavlidis has scored an impressive seven goals in nine Champions League matches, making him one of the most prolific forwards in the competition so far this season. The Greek will be a big threat in behind Barcelona’s high defensive line.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Ángel Di María will also carry a threat in the wide areas, although the latter is carrying a knock and might have to start Wednesday’s game on the bench.
At the back, Nicolás Otamendi and Anatoliy Trubin will have to be in top form to keep Barcelona’s incredible attacking line at arm’s length. Benfica might need some fortune on their side to get through the game.
Barca have an array of attacking talent, most of whom could make the difference at the Estadio da Luz. Two of the top four scorers in this season’s Champions League are Barcelona players with Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha combining for 17 goals.
Lamine Yamal continues to get better and better with the teenage sensation set to start on the right side of the Barcelona attacking. His dribbling ability and natural creativity makes him so difficult to play against.
Ronald Araújo is expected to keep his place in central defence alongside Pau Cubarsí, but can Barca keep things together at the back when so many opponents have been able to expose them defensively this season?
Team news
Florentino Luís will miss out through injury for Benfica with Alexander Bah, Manu Silva, Tiago Gouveia and Renato Sanches also sidelined for the Portuguese side. Di María could also miss out.
Bruma, however, will return to the fold after a three-game ban carried over from the Europa League when he was a Braga player. The Portuguese international could start in the attacking line if Di María is absent.
Gavi missed the weekend win over Real Sociedad due to illness, but should be available to start against Benfica on Wednesday. The 20-year-old could come into Barca’s midfield unit for the match.
Andreas Christensen is injured again after suffering another calf strain while Marc-André Ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are still working their way back from long-term injuries.
Prediction
We think there will be goals, again, and that Barca will take home a narrow advantage to defend in next week’s second leg: Benfica 2-3 Barcelona
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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