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Match Preview for Barcelona v Benfica
Barcelona’s players have had an awful lot to content with in the build-up to the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie against Benfica.
The Blaugrana’s home game with Osasuna at the weekend was postponed following the death of first-team doctor, Carles Minarro Garcia.
The match was due to start at 8pm (UK time) at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, however the club revealed the news of Garcia’s passing shortly before kick-off and confirmed the game would not be going ahead.
According to initial reports in Spain, Minarro Garcia, 40, died at the team hotel in the lead up to the match. He had been working for Barca since 2017.
It has understandably cast a shadow over the whole club but boss Hansi Flick says the players are determined to do well for their former medic.
He said: “We want to play for him, in this situation it is very important to win for him. We are prepared for it. We must continue, it’s our task.
“It’s an important situation for the club and we want to do well.
“It’s a great loss, he was a great person and a great doctor. He was incredible for the team and for the club, he was a fundamental piece in our team. We will miss him.”
Hansi Flick on Carles Miñarro: pic.twitter.com/rzTzTsjQDH
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 10, 2025
Barca lead 1-0 from the first leg in Lisbon – Brazil winger Raphinha scoring the only goal just after the hour mark – but Flick believes the margin is so small it means nothing.
“I see the team very focused, we also talked about it this morning,” he added. “For our part, no-one thinks that the work is done because we have the return. We want the attitude to be right.”
Benfica warmed up for the trip to Catalonia with a 3-0 defeat of Nacional on Saturday.
Bruno Lage’s side are second in the Primeira Liga, there points behind Sporting CP.
Team News for Barcelona v Benfica
Robert Lewandowski was set to be rested at the weekend against Osasuna but he will start against Benfica.
Defender Paul Cubarsi is suspended following his red card in the first leg.
Former Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria is out due to injury but Tomás Araújo has travelled after missing the weekend game through injury.
Left-back Álvaro Carreras is suspended.
Predicted line-ups for Barcelona v Benfica
Barcelona: Szczęsny; Koundé, Eric García, Iñigo Martínez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Benfica: Trubin; Tomás Araújo, António Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Orkun Kökçü, Aursnes, Barreiro; Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Pavlidis, Schjelderup
How to watch Barcelona v Benfica: TV channel, online live stream
The game can be watched in the UK on TNT Sports. Kick-off is 5.45pm.
You can stream the game on the Discovery+ app.
Odds and Tips for the big game
- In the last 12 Barcelona home matches in the Champions League, the total number of goals was over 2.5
- Lewandowski has scored in each of his last four appearances for Barcelona
- Barcelona have scored at least once in each of their nine champions League games this season
- Benfica have won their last four matches away from home
- Benfica have scored the opening goal in each of their last five away games
Prediction
It is a difficult situation for the Barca players. They have had a tumultuous few days and it would be understandable if their minds were elsewhere.
However, the stark reality is the club’s financial situation means Champions League progression is crucial and they will be expected to perform and get past Benfica tomorrow night.
And we think they will, although it should be close.
Prediction: Barcelona 1-1 Benfica
