Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Benfica | UEFA Champions League | OneFootball

When Pau Cubarsi was sent off in just the 22nd minute of Barcelona’s clash against Benfica last week, it appeared like the Catalans had managed to sabotage their Champions League chances once more.

Memories of the game against PSG last season came to the fore, but the players held their own and managed to take home what can only be described as a special lead.

Tomorrow evening, they take to the field again in the second leg of the Round of 16 tie and will look to eliminate Benfica from the event completely.

Having not played on the weekend, the team has had close to a week to recuperate, although the circumstances of their match being postponed were unfortunate.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Benfica.

The long-term consequence

Barcelona’s game against Benfica last week could easily have been uglier than it turned out and it took a lot out of the team to grind a win.

Pau Cubarsi’s red card early in the game cost Barcelona heavily, and they had to play 70 minutes down a player in Lisbon against a motivated Benfica.

They eventually pulled off the impossible as they held off the Portuguese side and even scored a goal to win the game. Hansi Flick and Co. thus got past a seriously tricky situation unhurt, but the consequences of that game will roll on tomorrow.

While Barcelona will be able to field 11 players once again tomorrow night, they will be without the services of Cubarsi as he serves his ban after the red card. His absence, needless to say, is a huge blow.

Benfica’s high press and ability to create channels past Barcelona’s high defensive line is well documented at this point. Not having Cubarsi who understands and thrives in that system, thus, is a challenge.

Flick will likely opt for Ronald Araujo to partner Inigo Martinez on Tuesday. The combination worked wonders in the last game when Barcelona defended deep, but there are bound to be more openings if they revert to a high line tomorrow.

Needless to say, a lot rides on Flick’s defensive system tomorrow and the player selection at the back.

Early goals are the priority

Early goals will be key. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The 1-0 lead that the Catalans secured at Estadio da Luz was precious as gives the dressing room the upper hand at the halfway mark of the contest. It is, however, a very marginal lead and far from enough if Barcelona are to seal the result tomorrow.

Benfica will enter Monjtuic knowing well that they have their chances to eliminate Barcelona and that one goal will throw the tie wide open once more. The focus, thus, must be on scoring early goals for the Catalans.

The Blaugrana will have the crowd behind them and serious confidence after the result they pulled off last week, and a couple of early strikes could well seal the deal and take the steam out of Benfica’s ambitions.

Hence, all eyes will be on the forward trio of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal, while Dani Olmo and Pedri will also be crucial if the hosts are to deliver the final blow early.

A special motive

There are games that mean a little more than others, and the team comes out motivated to do something special. Tomorrow’s clash against Benfica is one such game whose significance transcends the sport for Barcelona.

What happened at the weekend, after all, was a tragic event as one of the team’s doctors, Dr Carles Minarro, passed away in the hours leading up to the clash against Osasuna.

Shaken up by the developments and with the squad feeling very touched, Barcelona managed to get the game postponed, and the Catalans did not take to the field on the night.

Dr Minarro, after all, was very close to the players in the dressing room, and Hansi Flick made it very clear how they were affected by the sudden news.

Tomorrow’s performance, needless to say, will have a special meaning for all the players in garnet-and-blue as they look to honour the soul who was such a close part of their circle until even a week ago.

The young squad will thus look to dedicate a dominant win and a place in the quarterfinal as a tribute to Dr Minarro, and it will be a beautiful sight to behold if they indeed make it a special night.