Benfica manager Bruno Lage is expecting another exciting clash with Barcelona in the Champions League following their nine-goal thriller in the group phase in January. 

Raphinha's goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time sealed a 5-4 win for Hansi Flick's side, despite Benfica leading 3-1 at the break in the contest. 

Indeed, it was the first game in Champions League history to finish with that scoreline, with Barcelona becoming just the second side in the competition's history to win a game despite conceding four or more goals. 

Of the 40 times that Benfica have scored that number of goals in a European home match, that was also the only occasion when they had ever failed to win (W39).

And Lage said his Benfica side will stay true to their identity of attacking football when they take on Barcelona again in the first leg of their last 16 clash on Wednesday. 

"I can't predict how many goals will be scored in the game, but I can predict a great game of football because they're two teams with an eye for attack," Lage said. 

"I think it's going to be a tough match, and we will go out for the win. Sure, tomorrow's result will be important, but the result of the second leg will be more decisive.

"We're going up against a great team who score a lot of goals, but we're also looking at the positive things we've done against this opponent.

"The number of chances we've had, the number of times we've been in front of the goalkeeper. We believe we can get through this tie."

Benfica supporters will, however, want a different outcome to that league phase defeat, having seen Vangelis Pavlidis' first-half hat-trick count for nothing. 

They have won two of their first three home games against Spanish sides in European competition, but have since emerged victorious in just two of their last 12 such matches (D4 L6). 

But given Benfica's form in the competition this season, many will be expecting fireworks at the Estadio da Luz. 

Their 10 games in the Champions League this campaign have seen 35 goals scored, while only in one previous edition of the competition have they had a higher goals per game ratio in the competition (3.9 in 2022-23, 26 for, 13 against).

Lage will be without key midfielders Angel Di Maria and Florentino on Wednesday, but was more optimistic about Renato Sanches' involvement in the game. 

"The most important thing is for the team to function as a team, as a whole, regardless of who plays," Lage said.

"We will try to find the spaces our rivals offer us because they often do.

"We have to know how to take advantage of the spaces that Barcelona will give us, that should be the key."