Barcelona will look to finish the job at home when they host Benfica in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie. The Catalan giants secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory in Lisbon, despite playing with 10 men for much of the game after Pau Cubarsí’s early red card.
A composed strike from Raphinha gave Barça the advantage, but they still have work to do to book their place in the quarterfinals.
Barcelona’s Strong European Record
Hansi Flick’s side can take confidence from their impressive record against Benfica, having lost just one of their last 10 meetings in European competition (W5, D4).
At home, they have never been beaten by the Portuguese outfit (W2, D2), a trend they will be determined to maintain.
Can Benfica Turn It Around?
Roger Schmidt’s Benfica will be desperate to overturn the deficit and make history. The Portuguese side has never lost three consecutive matches to the same opponent in a single European campaign, and they will need a determined performance to keep that record intact.
With a place in the quarterfinals on the line, expect a tense and tactical battle at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
