Benfica defender addresses Barcelona rumours ahead of CL clash – ‘I am fully focused’ | OneFootball

When Barcelona and Benfica took to the field earlier this season, the ninety minutes that followed produced one of the competition’s most bizarre and entertaining games.

After Benfica took the lead early, Barcelona struck back and looked set to take a draw after a late equalizer.

A goal from Raphinha under pressure in the final action of the game, however, helped Barcelona take all three points from a game where they were far from dominant.

Tomorrow night, the two teams face off again, albeit in a game that has far more riding on it than it had the last time around.

The first leg of the Round of 16 clash will be played in Portugal with the reverse fixture scheduled in Catalonia.

Benfica’s defender ready for the game

Speaking to the media ahead of Benfica’s game against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League tomorrow night, Alvaro Carreras gave his views on the game that lies ahead and what his team expected from the same.

The left-back was first jovially asked how it felt to have his name linked with Barcelona just a day before their meeting and whether it added any pressure on him.

“No, I work for myself but mainly for the team. I am fully focused here at Benfica to continue having a good season and to keep working and everything else will come later,” he said.

Alvaro Carreras has been linked to Barcelona. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

When asked about Lamine Yamal’s ridiculous season and numbers this term, especially given his age, Carreras said:

“We are ready to move forward in the match, and Lamine Yamal is having a great season, but we will work to stop him well and continue to perform strongly in the rest of the matches.”

The Benfica defender was then asked to give his team’s plan for the game coming up and what one could expect from them ahead of the game in Portugal, to which he replied:

“We are fully focused on our role and we know that we will have to work hard to qualify, however, the decisions regarding the line-up are not mine, but the coach’s.”

“I do what is asked of me, focusing on winning and striving to achieve victory in Barcelona,” he added.

Finally, the young defender was asked what the dressing room took away from their last-minute defeat to Barcelona earlier this season in the same competition where the Catalans came back from behind to take three points.

“We are fully focused on tomorrow’s match, it will be a beautiful and difficult match, but we are focused on winning and getting the three points to be in a good position for the second leg and prepare to achieve victory,” he said simply.

Source: SPORT