Match Preview : Barça VS Benfica- UCL R16 2nd Leg

Barca are back in action tonight in the earlier kick off slot in the UEFA Champions League. This time in the all important round of 16 second leg against Benfica. Live from the Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys at 6:45pm local time.

It’s a huge game and one of massive importance for this season, but coming into the game our attention and all our hearts have been on the sad news over the weekend. Our league game was called off on Saturday evening due to the sad and heartbreaking passing of the first team doctor, Carles Garcia Miñarro. It was news that completely shocked not only the fanbase, the club but of course it was a massive blow for the players, who loved Carles very much.

He was a key member of our medical team and such an important figure for the team. He will be missed. There’s no doubt in my mind that the players would’ve been heavily effected by the news. ut this season is for him. They’ll be playing for Carles, that there is no doubt. Let’s jump into the preview.

A Quick Look at our opponents:

Our opponents for tonight are of course, Benfica. A team that we have already faced twice away from home this season, with tonight being the return leg of that incredibly hard fought game last week. We know how difficult the game is going to be, they are a strong and talented team with a lot of European experience. As well as a number of young talents who play their part too.

Maybe a big piece of news for us is that their left back, Alvaro, who has been so important for them this season. Will miss the 2nd leg due to suspension. But of course we head into the game with a slender lead. 1-0 from last week was a huge result given the circumstances we put ourselves into. But, it is only a slender lead. Meaning we should ideally treat the return leg as if it was level. Going into this game with the idea of defending it would be naive. I don’t expect flick to set us up that way. But its important that we use the home crowd to our advantage.

To help pull us through what will be a very tense and tricky game. The next question will be, how does Flick line this team up?

Predicted lineup:

As for the lineup later tonight, I don’t see us doing much different from the side that started the game last week. We haven’t played since the first leg. Rotations were expected on the weekend, but I don’t see Flick doing that tonight.

Of course we’re almost forced into one change, which is Cubarsi. He is suspended for tonight’s game meaning Araujo will most likely partner Iñigo Martinez in defence with Balde and Kounde completing the back 4. In midfield, I would love to see a pivot of Pedri and Gavi, but i think for tonight, Frenkie may just edge ahead of Gavi. Who will be a very important player off the bench in a game like this. In attack, if Lewandowski is fit then i think he will start. But he might still feeling some fatigue or discomfort. In that case, Ferran will be the one trusted to lead the line, with Yamal and Raphinha on the flanks.