🔥 Raphinha, Barcelona’s hero, does it again! 😮‍💨

👀 Just when Benfica was in control, the Brazilian snatched the ball and put Flick’s team ahead! 👌🏽

😶 Barcelona fans, look away now... 🫣

🔴 Pau Cubarsí gets sent off, leaving Flick’s squad down to 10 men! 🔥

Benfica also presents their starting XI!

Here is Barcelona's starting XI!

"Does Barcelona... Warn?"

FC Barcelona returns to action in the Champions League this Wednesday, visiting Benfica at the Estadio da Luz for the first leg of the round of 16. The Catalans arrive in great form after reclaiming the top spot in LaLiga EA Sports, while the Portuguese side is seeking revenge following their dramatic 4-5 loss in January.

Barcelona, at Their Best

Since closing the group stage with a draw against Atalanta (2-2), Hansi Flick’s team has gone on to win six straight LaLiga matches and draw once in the Copa del Rey, with a record of 21 goals scored and only 5 conceded. With a more solid starting lineup and a clear commitment to Wojciech Szczesny in goal, Barcelona comes into this tie in peak form.

The injury list only includes long-term absentees Marc-André ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, and Andreas Christensen, who has suffered a setback with his calf. In contrast, Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo have returned and will be available for this match.

Benfica Without Di María, But Pavlidis on Fire

Benfica will be without Ángel Di María, who is sidelined due to injury, along with Florentino. Additionally, Bruma is not registered for the Champions League, although coach Bruno Lage has called up Renato Sanches, who has not played since January 11.

Despite these absences, the Lisbon side maintains its attacking threat with players like Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored a hat-trick against Barcelona in the group stage, and Kerem Akturkoglu, who will be key to creating danger in the Barcelona box.

A Historic Matchup in the Champions League

This will be the second time Barcelona and Benfica face off in a Champions League knockout tie. The first was in the 2005-06 season when the Catalans advanced with a 2-0 aggregate score and went on to win the European title.

The most recent encounter between the two occurred in January, when Barcelona pulled off a stunning comeback in Lisbon, winning 4-5 with a last-minute goal from Raphinha in the 96th minute.

Flick's Changes in the Starting XI

For this match, Barcelona will return to their strongest lineup after rotating in their LaLiga win over Real Sociedad. Íñigo Martínez is expected to return to the defense alongside Pau Cubarsí, while Alejandro Balde will take Gerard Martín’s place at left-back.

In midfield, Frenkie de Jong could start in place of Marc Casadó, forming a duo with Pedri to drive the team's playmaking. In attack, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski will be the main offensive threats.

Benfica Enjoying Extra Rest

The Lisbon side did not play this past weekend, as their match against Gil Vicente was postponed. This extra rest could give Lage’s team a slight physical advantage, as they currently sit second in the Primeira Liga, just three points behind Sporting Lisbon, with one game in hand.

Additionally, Benfica has won their last four league matches and recently eliminated Monaco in the Champions League playoffs with a 4-3 aggregate score.

Probable Lineups and Match Details

• Benfica: Samuel Soares; Tomás Araújo, Nicolás Otamendi, Álvaro Carreras, Santos; Aursnes, Kökçü, Dahl; Akturkoglu, Pavlidis, Amdouni.
• Barcelona: Szczesny; Koundé, Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski.