Barcelona Faces Benfica in UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Showdown

Lisbon, Portugal – Barcelona is set to clash with Benfica on March 5, 2025, in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. The Catalan club is facing concerns over midfielder Gavi, who is doubtful for the match due to illness, as confirmed by manager Hansi Flick.

After a thrilling 5-4 victory against Benfica earlier this season, Barcelona aims to secure a more controlled performance in this knockout round. Gavi, who has contributed two goals and three assists in 24 games this season prior to recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, missed a training session and was noted not to feel well this week.

“We will see, yesterday he did not train as he did not feel so good. He will visit the doctor again, we have to wait,” Flick stated during a press conference on Tuesday.

Flick also emphasized Gavi’s versatility and importance to the team. “Gavi can play different positions not only the number 10 and he gives us a really good option in defense,” he noted. “He enjoys playing in that position, he scores goals and creates chances.”

Barcelona ended the league phase in second place, trailing leaders Liverpool, while Benfica qualified for the last-16 after overcoming stiff competition. Their head-to-head earlier this season showcased a resilient Barcelona side, with Raphinha netting a late winner in a frantic finale.

“At this stage, there are no easy games. Every team deserves to be here, and Benfica are a fantastic team,” Flick remarked, acknowledging the challenging atmosphere at Benfica’s Estádio da Luz.

Benfica is also grappling with injury issues, missing key players such as Ángel Di María and Florentino due to injuries. Manager Bruno Lage has expressed confidence in the team’s ability to score despite their difficulties, as they have averaged three goals per game at home across competitions this season.

“We have a very well-defined strategy, and the players already know how we play,” Lage said. “We believe that we can win the game and advance to the next round.”

With Barcelona looking to enhance their performance from earlier encounters and Benfica aiming to exploit their home advantage, fans can expect an exciting clash. The match kicks off at 9 p.m. local time at Estádio da Luz, with both teams aiming to set a solid foundation for the second leg.