Benfica is still hoping to overcome Barcelona in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match, even if they are behind 0-1 thus far. The Portuguese team nearly upset Hansi Flick’s team in their two meetings with the Catalans this season, but they have unable to secure a victory. Barcelona overcame a 2-4 deficit in the league phase, and last Wednesday, despite intense siege from Benfica, they narrowly won thanks to a single goal from Raphinha.
After Benfica’s game against Barcelona, manager Bruno Lage said, “We created enough chances and could have easily finished 5-1.” Even though this claim may have been a little overblown, it is indisputable that Benfica presented a serious danger but were stopped by the unbeatable Wojciech Szczesny. At the Lluís Companys stadium, the Lisbon team hopes to adopt a similar mindset by applying pressure on Barcelona from the opening minute of the game.
Lage made six changes to the team from their previous match against Barcelona, therefore Benfica’s best players will be coming in fresh for the match. Dahl replaces Barreiro in midfield, Soares takes Trubin’s position in goal, and Amdouni, Belotti, and Bruma spearhead the assault in place of Akturkoglu, Pavlidis, and Schjelderup, who, barring any major upsets, are anticipated to start in Montjuïc.
Additionally, Bruno Lage continues to believe that Ángel Di María can miraculously recuperate in time for the game. After sustaining a muscle injury during the first leg of the playoff match against Monaco, the Argentine star is set to take a final fitness test today to ascertain his eligibility for the match.
