Benfica vs Barcelona Team news, Lineups and Livescore
Barcelona is set to face Benfica today, March 5, 2025, in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon.
In their previous Champions League encounter on January 21, 2025, Barcelona secured a dramatic 5-4 victory over Benfica. The match was notable for being the first in Champions League history to end with a 5-4 scoreline. angelis Pavlidis scored a hat-trick for Benfica, while Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha each netted twice for Barcelona, with Raphinha’s second goal in the 96th minute clinching the win.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has emphasized the need for better preparation and concentration in the upcoming match, acknowledging the challenges faced in their previous meeting.
Midfielder Gavi is doubtful for the game due to illness, potentially impacting Barcelona’s midfield dynamics.
Their previous encounter with Barcelona highlighted their offensive capabilities, making them a formidable opponent.
Previous Encounter
The last time these two teams met in the Champions League, Barcelona secured a dramatic 5-4 victory over Benfica in one of the most thrilling matches in tournament history. That game saw Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis score a hat-trick, while Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha each netted twice for Barcelona, with Raphinha scoring the decisive goal in the 96th minute.
Current Form and Team News
Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, has stressed the importance of better preparation after their narrow win in the previous meeting. His team has been inconsistent in recent matches, and they will need to improve defensively to avoid another high-scoring thriller.
A key concern for Barcelona is the possible absence of midfielder Gavi, who is doubtful due to illness. His absence could impact the team’s midfield stability and creativity. However, with stars like Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal in attack, Barcelona still has the firepower to cause problems for Benfica’s defense.
Benfica, on the other hand, has been in strong form in their domestic league and will look to use their home advantage. They eliminated AS Monaco in the playoff round and have shown they can compete at the highest level. Their attacking players, including Pavlidis and Ángel Di María, will be looking to exploit any weaknesses in Barcelona’s defense.
What to Expect
The match promises to be an exciting and competitive encounter. Barcelona will likely focus on controlling possession and using their technical ability, while Benfica will look to counterattack and capitalize on set-piece opportunities.
A win for Barcelona would give them a strong advantage going into the second leg at the Camp Nou, while Benfica will be determined to get a result at home to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Tactical Battle to Watch
This match will be a fascinating tactical duel between Hansi Flick’s possession-based Barcelona and Benfica’s well-organized, counterattacking approach under manager Roger Schmidt.
Barcelona will likely dominate possession, with Frenkie de Jong and İlkay Gündoğan orchestrating play from midfield. If Gavi is unavailable, Pedri and Fermin López could have a bigger role in linking up with the attack. Their main goal will be to supply Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal, who have the pace and skill to break down Benfica’s defense.
Benfica, meanwhile, will rely on a compact defensive shape, looking to disrupt Barcelona’s passing rhythm. Their strategy will focus on quick transitions, with Ángel Di María and João Mário feeding Vangelis Pavlidis, whose movement and finishing ability could trouble Barcelona’s backline.
Key Players to Watch
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – The Polish striker remains a key goal threat and will be looking to exploit any defensive gaps.
- Raphinha (Barcelona) – His pace and ability to create chances will be crucial for breaking through Benfica’s defense.
- Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica) – After scoring a hat-trick in the last meeting, he will be Benfica’s main attacking weapon.
- Ángel Di María (Benfica) – The experienced Argentine can change the game with his creativity and set-piece deliveries.
Match Prediction
Given Barcelona’s attacking strength and Benfica’s resilience at home, this game could be another close contest. If Barcelona can control the midfield and avoid defensive mistakes, they have the quality to win. However, Benfica has already proven they can hurt Barcelona, especially on the counterattack.
Prediction: Benfica 2-3 Barcelona – Expect an intense, high-scoring battle with Barcelona edging out a narrow victory.
Possible Lineups
Here’s how both teams could line up for this crucial Champions League clash:
Barcelona (4-3-3)
Coach: Hansi Flick
- Goalkeeper: Marc-André ter Stegen
- Defenders: João Cancelo, Jules Koundé, Ronald Araújo, Alejandro Balde
- Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, İlkay Gündoğan, Pedri (or Fermin López if Gavi is unavailable)
- Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha
Benfica (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Roger Schmidt
- Goalkeeper: Anatoliy Trubin
- Defenders: Alexander Bah, Nicolás Otamendi, António Silva, Juan Bernat
- Midfielders: João Neves, Florentino Luís
- Attacking Midfielders: Ángel Di María, Rafa Silva, João Mário
- Striker: Vangelis Pavlidis
Match Build-Up and Atmosphere
The Estádio da Luz is expected to be packed with passionate Benfica supporters, creating a challenging environment for Barcelona. The home fans will try to push their team to an upset victory, knowing that taking a lead into the second leg at Camp Nou would increase their chances of progressing.
Barcelona, however, has plenty of experience in high-pressure situations and will look to silence the crowd with an early goal. If Benfica can absorb the early pressure and hit on the counter, they could make life very difficult for the Spanish giants.
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, Barcelona has had the upper hand in this fixture, but Benfica has caused them problems in the past. Notably, Benfica defeated Barcelona 3-0 at home in the 2021 group stage, proving they can challenge the Catalan side. However, Barcelona responded with their thrilling 5-4 win in their most recent encounter, setting the stage for another exciting battle.
Potential Game Scenarios
As we approach kickoff, let’s consider a few possible scenarios that could unfold in this crucial Champions League clash between Benfica and Barcelona.
Scenario 1: Barcelona Dominates Possession and Wins Comfortably
If Barcelona executes their game plan well, they could control possession and create numerous chances. With Frenkie de Jong and İlkay Gündoğan dictating the tempo, Benfica may struggle to win the midfield battle. If Lewandowski and Raphinha find space, Barcelona could secure a relatively comfortable victory, perhaps 3-1 or 2-0.
Scenario 2: Benfica’s Counterattacks Punish Barcelona’s Defense
Benfica has already shown they can exploit Barcelona’s defensive weaknesses. If the Spanish side fails to track back quickly, Pavlidis and Di María could capitalize on counterattacks. A high-pressing Benfica side could force mistakes, leading to a shock victory, 2-1 or 3-2 for the Portuguese side.
Scenario 3: A Tight, Cagey Draw
With both teams aware of the importance of this first leg, they might take a cautious approach. Barcelona could prioritize avoiding another defensive collapse, while Benfica might play conservatively to prevent conceding an away goal. In this case, a 1-1 or 0-0 draw could be on the cards.
Key Battles to Watch
- Pavlidis vs. Araújo & Koundé – The Benfica striker was unstoppable last time out, scoring a hat-trick. Barcelona’s center-backs must mark him closely to prevent a repeat performance.
- De Jong & Gündoğan vs. Neves & Florentino – The midfield battle will be crucial in determining which team controls the game.
- Lamine Yamal vs. Juan Bernat – The young Barcelona winger will test Benfica’s left-back with his dribbling and speed.
What’s at Stake?
- For Barcelona: A strong first-leg result would put them in a great position for the return match at Camp Nou, boosting their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. A loss, however, would put them under immense pressure.
- For Benfica: A win or even a draw would be a huge statement, proving they can compete with top European clubs. A defeat at home would make qualification very difficult.
Final Thoughts:
Benfica will need a historic performance to turn this tie around, but if they score early, the pressure could shift to Barcelona. However, with Lewandowski and Raphinha in top form and the advantage of playing at Camp Nou, Barcelona remains the favorite.
Comments are closed.