Barcelona vs. Benfica: Champions League Clash at Montjuïc
The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg match between FC Barcelona and SL Benfica is underway at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc. The game, which kicked off at 18:45 CET, has Barcelona looking to defend their 1-0 lead from the first leg in Lisbon.
First Leg Recap
In the first meeting between the two sides, Barcelona secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the Estádio da Luz. Raphinha was the hero of the match, scoring the decisive goal despite his team being reduced to ten men following Pau Cubarsí's red card.
Team News
Barcelona's head coach, Hansi Flick, made only one change to the starting lineup from the first leg. Ronald Araújo was included in the defense, replacing the suspended Cubarsí. Benfica, on the other hand, had to cope without Álvaro Carreras due to accumulated yellow cards and their star midfielder Ángel Di María, who remains sidelined with an injury.
Match Progress
As the match unfolds, both teams are displaying tactical discipline and intensity. Barcelona aims to control possession and capitalize on their home advantage, while Benfica is determined to overturn the deficit and advance to the quarterfinals.
What’s at Stake?
A victory or a draw would see Barcelona progress to the next stage, while Benfica needs to win by at least one goal to push the game into extra time or by two to secure an outright victory. Both teams are aware that a spot in the quarterfinals is on the line, adding to the high-stakes atmosphere at Montjuïc.
Stay tuned for further updates as the match progresses.
