Benfica make the trip across the Spanish border to take on Barcelona in the Champions League tonight.
Bruno Lage’s side are aiming to overturn a narrow first-leg defeat in Lisbon, as the Portuguese outfit failed to take advantage of their superior numbers.
Pau Cubarsi’s early red card reduced Barcelona to 10 men, but Benfica could not find a route past Wojciech Szczęsny in goal. The Polish goalkeeper made nine saves in a man-of-the-match performance. Raphinha’s low drive earned 10-man Barcelona a 1-0 lead to take back to Catalonia.
Benfica are bidding to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the time in four seasons. The Eagles warmed up for the return leg by beating Nacional 3-0 in the Primeira Liga over the weekend.
Benfica XI vs Barcelona – Predicted lineup and team news
Benfica team news
Angel Di Maria will again miss out for Benfica with the veteran yet to return from a thigh issue.
He joins Alexander Bah, Manu Silva and Tiago Gouveia as confirmed absentees, while Bruma – who has been a regular in the Primeira Liga of late – was not registered in the squad for the Champions League’s knockout rounds.
Former Manchester United left-back Alvaro Carreras is ruled out through suspension, but Vangelis Pavlidis and Kerem Akturkoglu should return after weekend rests.
Benfica predicted lineup
Benfica predicted XI: Trubin; Araujo, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Barreiro, Kokcu; Akturkoglu, Schjelderup, Pavlidis.
When is Barcelona vs Benfica?
Barcelona host Benfica in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday 10th March 2025. Kick-off is 17:45 GMT.
What TV channel is Barcelona vs Benfica?
The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
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