Barcelona Prepares for Critical Champions League Match Against Benfica

BARCELONA, Spain — FC Barcelona is set to host Benfica for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie on Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. local time, carrying a crucial 1-0 lead from the first match played in Lisbon.

The Catalan club comes into the match with high spirits after a hard-fought victory last week at the Estádio da Luz, where they managed to secure a win despite playing with ten men. “The job is not done yet,” said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick in a pre-match press conference.

Barcelona’s Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys will see a significant turnout, where a strong home advantage is expected to galvanize the players as they aim for a place in the quarterfinals. Flick acknowledged the importance of the match, stating, “We need to focus on putting in a solid performance. The tie is still open.”

Tragically, Barcelona will enter the match in a period of mourning following the recent death of team doctor Carles Miñarro Garcia. A minute’s silence was observed at the club training session on Sunday to honor his memory.

“Carles was a vital part of our team,” Flick said when addressing the press. “His contributions to the club were invaluable, and we will do our best to honor him on the field.”

In terms of squad news, Barcelona will once again be without several key players including Marc-André ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, and Pau Cubarsi, who is suspended. However, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was particularly impressive in the first leg, making key saves that preserved the clean sheet.

Benfica, coming in with the motivation to overturn the deficit, will be bolstered by the return of midfielder Florentino, who has recovered from injury. Head coach Bruno Lage indicated confidence in his squad, emphasizing that they have experienced success in away matches before.

“We have the ability to score and we’ll need to take our chances,” Lage remarked. “Barcelona is a tough opponent, but this is football, and anything can happen.”

Barcelona remains unbeaten in their last 10 encounters against Benfica in European competitions, having not lost at home to the Portuguese side in over 50 years. Despite this strong historical record, players like Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha understand the significance of performing under pressure.

The match is also part of a broader narrative for Barcelona, as they navigate the difficult period following the loss of Miñarro while aiming for European glory. The emotional stakes are high, and fans are hopeful for a strong showing amid the adversity.

Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. CET, and both teams are expected to bring their all to the pitch, vying for advancement in this prestigious tournament.