FC Barcelona face Benfica in Lisbon in a crucial clash for both teams. A victory would guarantee the Blaugranas a direct spot in the Champions League Round of 16. Meanwhile, Benfica also needs a win, although their squad could be weakened by the potential absence of Ángel Di María, one of their key offensive players.

Consistent European Performance

Barcelona has showcased remarkable stability in this season’s Champions League. Despite opening with a 2-1 loss against Monaco—where Eric García was sent off—the team has bounced back with five consecutive victories. These include standout results such as:

• Young Boys 0-5 Barcelona
• Barcelona 4-1 Bayern Munich
• Red Star Belgrade 2-5 Barcelona
• Brest 0-3 Barcelona
• Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Barcelona

This winning streak has solidified Barcelona’s position as one of the competition’s top contenders, particularly noted for their impressive goal-scoring capabilities.

Path to Qualification

A victory against Benfica on Tuesday would secure Barcelona's place in the Round of 16 with one matchday to spare. This outcome would allow Hansi Flick’s squad to prepare for their final group-stage game at home against Atalanta with less pressure.

Benfica, on the other hand, also seeks a win to keep their qualification hopes alive. While Di María's potential absence could pose challenges, playing at home makes the Portuguese team a formidable opponent.

Champions League Playoff Draw

The draw for the playoff matchups, involving teams finishing between 9th and 24th place, will take place on Friday, January 31. Winners of these eight ties will progress to the Round of 16, where they’ll face the top eight group-stage teams. This decisive draw will occur on Friday, February 21, when the rest of the bracket leading to the final will also be finalized.

How the 'Home Advantage' is Decided

• Playoff Stage: Teams ranked 9th to 16th will play the second leg at home, offering a significant edge.

• Round of 16: Clubs finishing in the group stage's 'top 8' will enjoy the same privilege.

Changes from the Quarterfinals Onward

From the Quarterfinals and Semifinals onward, the order of home and away legs will be determined by a random draw. This final draw, shaping the competition's trajectory up to the finale, will also be conducted on February 21, marking the last draw of the current season.