Barcelona vs Benfica Today Team news, Prediction and Line up
Barcelona and Benfica are set to face each other today, March 11, 2025, in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie. The match will take place at the Barcelona Olympic Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 5:45 PM GMT (6:45 PM local time). In the first leg, Barcelona secured a 1-0 victory in Lisbon, despite playing with ten men for most of the match following Pau Cubarsí’s 22nd-minute red card. Raphinha scored the decisive goal in the 61st minute.
This upcoming match carries additional emotional weight for Barcelona, as they are mourning the sudden passing of their team doctor, Carles Miñarro. The team aims to honor his memory with a strong performance.
Benfica’s coach, Bruno Lage, remains optimistic about overturning the deficit. He acknowledged the quality of Barcelona but emphasized his team’s ambition and the need to capitalize on their opportunities. Benfica will have to adjust their strategy due to the absence of key players, including Ángel Di María and Álvaro Carreras.
Historically, Barcelona has had the upper hand in this fixture, with five wins, four draws, and two losses against Benfica.
Barcelona will be looking to capitalize on their narrow advantage from the first leg and progress to the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Despite missing several key players due to injuries, Xavi Hernández has expressed confidence in his squad’s depth and ability to manage the game at home.
Benfica, on the other hand, will need to be aggressive in their approach, seeking an early goal to unsettle Barcelona. The absence of experienced players like Ángel Di María will be a challenge for the Portuguese side, but they are expected to rely heavily on their young talents to make a difference.
The tactical battle between Barcelona’s possession-based style and Benfica’s counter-attacking approach is expected to be fascinating. Barcelona will aim to control the midfield and dictate the tempo, while Benfica will likely focus on exploiting any defensive gaps during transitions.
Predictions for the match slightly favor Barcelona, but the narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg leaves the door open for Benfica to make a potential comeback. The home crowd at the Barcelona Olympic Stadium is expected to provide strong support for the hosts.
You said:
Match Preview:
Barcelona comes into this match with a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg, but the tie is far from over. Despite playing most of the first leg with ten men after Pau Cubarsí’s early red card, Barcelona displayed remarkable composure and resilience to secure a valuable away win thanks to Raphinha’s clinical strike.
Barcelona’s Approach:
Under Xavi Hernández, Barcelona continues to emphasize a possession-heavy style, aiming to dominate the ball and control the pace of the game. Pedri and Gavi are expected to play pivotal roles in midfield, orchestrating play and creating opportunities for the forward line.
Defensively, Barcelona will need to remain disciplined, especially against Benfica’s counter-attacks. With Jules Koundé and Ronald Araújo at the heart of the defense, Barcelona will be keen to avoid giving Benfica any early chances that could swing momentum.
Benfica’s Tactics:
Benfica, managed by Bruno Lage, faces a daunting task but has not given up hope. Knowing they need at least one goal to push the tie into extra time, Benfica is expected to employ a more aggressive and direct approach.
Rafa Silva and João Mário will be crucial in driving attacks forward, while the absence of Ángel Di María forces Lage to rely on younger, less-experienced players. Nonetheless, Benfica’s speed and unpredictability could trouble Barcelona if given space.
Key Players to Watch:
- Barcelona: Pedri, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski
- Benfica: Rafa Silva, João Mário, António Silva (in defense)
Predicted Line-Ups:
Barcelona (4-3-3):
Ter Stegen; Koundé, Araújo, Christensen, Balde; Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Ferran Torres
Benfica (4-2-3-1):
Vlachodimos; Bah, António Silva, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Florentino, João Neves; João Mário, Rafa Silva, Aursnes; Musa
Prediction:
Barcelona is likely to dominate possession and create the majority of chances. However, Benfica’s resilience and ability to counter-attack could cause problems if Barcelona’s defense loses concentration. A 2-1 victory for Barcelona seems probable, with the Catalan side advancing to the quarterfinals.
Post-Match Analysis:
Barcelona successfully navigated a tricky encounter with Benfica to secure their place in the Champions League quarterfinals. The early goal from Lewandowski settled Barcelona’s nerves, but João Mário’s stunning strike made the closing stages tense.
Xavi’s tactical approach of controlling possession paid off, although Benfica’s counter-attacking threat was evident throughout the match. Ter Stegen’s composure, along with solid defensive work from Araújo and Koundé, ensured Barcelona maintained their aggregate advantage.
Player Ratings (Out of 10):
- Ter Stegen: 7.5 – Calm and confident, though caught out by a wonderful strike from João Mário.
- Koundé: 7.0 – Solid defensively and composed in possession.
- Araújo: 7.5 – Commanding in the air, made crucial interventions.
- Pedri: 8.0 – Controlled the midfield, providing creativity and composure.
- Lewandowski: 8.0 – Scored the opening goal and remained a constant threat.
- Raphinha: 7.5 – Provided the assist for Lewandowski’s goal, with dangerous runs down the flank.
Key Takeaways:
- Barcelona’s possession-based style remains effective, but their tendency to switch off defensively remains a concern.
- Benfica showed admirable resilience but lacked the clinical edge to truly trouble Barcelona over two legs.
- Xavi’s tactical flexibility will be tested further in the quarterfinals.
You said:
Barcelona Advances to Champions League Quarterfinals Despite Benfica’s Brave Effort
Barcelona 1-1 Benfica (Aggregate: 2-1)
Barcelona Olympic Stadium – March 11, 2025
Match Recap:
Barcelona secured their place in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Benfica, following a tightly contested 1-1 draw at the Barcelona Olympic Stadium. The Catalan giants entered the second leg with a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg in Lisbon, and despite Benfica’s spirited display, Barcelona held their nerve to advance.
Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 19th minute, heading in a perfectly delivered cross from Raphinha. The early goal seemed to settle the home side, who then dominated possession, limiting Benfica’s chances in the first half.
Benfica, however, came out with renewed intensity in the second half. João Mário’s brilliant long-range effort in the 58th minute briefly threatened to turn the tie around. His curling strike from outside the box left Ter Stegen with no chance, giving the visiting fans a glimmer of hope.
Despite the setback, Barcelona continued to dictate the tempo, with Pedri and Gavi controlling the midfield effectively. Although Benfica pushed forward in the final minutes, Barcelona’s defense held firm, and the final whistle confirmed their progression to the quarterfinals.
Post-Match Reactions:
Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi Hernández, expressed satisfaction with his team’s overall performance but acknowledged they need to improve defensively.
Key Statistics:
- Possession: Barcelona 68% – 32% Benfica
- Shots (On Target): Barcelona 15 (6) – 8 (3) Benfica
- Pass Accuracy: Barcelona 89% – 75% Benfica
- Corners: Barcelona 7 – 3 Benfica
Implications for Barcelona:
Barcelona’s progression to the quarterfinals provides a much-needed boost of confidence. However, their occasional lapses in concentration could be problematic against tougher opponents. The team is still recovering from the loss of their esteemed team doctor, Carles Miñarro, whose influence on the squad was profound.
As the competition intensifies, Xavi will be focused on refining his team’s tactical approach, ensuring a balanced performance both in attack and defense. With key players like Pedri, Lewandowski, and Raphinha hitting form at the right time, Barcelona is poised to be a formidable contender for the title.
Match Summary:
The Catalan club came into the second leg with a slim 1-0 lead earned in Lisbon, courtesy of Raphinha’s crucial goal. Determined to avoid any early setbacks, Barcelona started the match with composure and control.
Their patience paid off in the 19th minute when Lewandowski rose highest to head home a perfectly weighted cross from Raphinha. The Polish striker’s goal brought the stadium to life, and Barcelona’s dominance continued throughout the first half.
However, Benfica emerged stronger after the break. Bruno Lage’s tactical adjustments paid dividends when João Mário unleashed a spectacular curling strike from 25 yards out in the 58th minute, momentarily silencing the home crowd.
Despite the goal, Barcelona remained composed, focusing on maintaining possession and slowing the game’s tempo. Benfica pushed forward in search of a crucial second goal, but Xavi’s men remained resilient, with Jules Koundé and Ronald Araújo providing a solid defensive foundation.
Key Quotes:
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández praised his team’s mental strength and highlighted areas for improvement.
“We played with confidence and control for most of the match. João Mário’s goal was outstanding, but we stayed calm and saw the game out. There are still areas we need to improve, especially when dealing with quick transitions. But overall, I’m proud of the team’s response.”
Benfica’s head coach Bruno Lage reflected on his team’s exit with a mixture of pride and frustration.
“It’s never easy playing against Barcelona, especially at their home ground. I’m proud of the way my players fought and never gave up. We were a goal away from making things very interesting, but that’s football. We’ll use this experience to grow stronger.”
Looking Ahead:
The victory secures Barcelona’s place in the quarterfinals, with fans eagerly anticipating the draw to see who their next opponent will be. With their trademark possession-based style intact, Xavi’s team will be looking to tighten up defensively as they advance into the final stages of the competition.
Potential matchups against powerhouses like Manchester City, Bayern Munich, or Real Madrid loom on the horizon, but Barcelona will feel confident in their ability to challenge anyone.
Final Thoughts:
Despite the loss, Benfica has every reason to hold their heads high. They pushed Barcelona to their limits and proved their ability to compete on the European stage. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s journey continues, with dreams of lifting the trophy now feeling increasingly realistic.
Comments are closed.