The draw for the UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 came about earlier at this time in Nyom, and FC Barcelona will probably be locking horns with SL Benfica for a spot within the quarterfinals.
The 2 groups already met within the league section of the match, with Barça staging a historic 5-4 comeback win away at Estadio da Luz, because of a stoppage-time winner from Raphinha.
The Blaugrana prevented a tougher draw towards PSG within the Spherical of 16 and have a reasonably simple path to the semi-finals as they’ll face both Borussia Dortmund or Lille within the quarter-finals ought to they see off Benfica.
Deco’s first phrases
Barcelona sporting director Deco, who was current on the attract Nyom at this time, spoke to Movistar and gave his ideas about dealing with Benfica.
The Portuguese said that although they prevented PSG, it could not be a straightforward fixture given how the Catalans suffered on their final go to to Estadio da Luz.
“Look, I feel that at this stage there’s not a lot to select from, it’s true that PSG are in a fantastic second and so are Benfica,” he famous.
“We already confronted Benfica and it was a really tough match there, the place we suffered quite a bit and we truly made a historic comeback however we may have simply misplaced as a result of Benfica have been very sturdy.”
On whether or not Barcelona have an opportunity to go all the best way and win the Champions League, Deco stated: “The possibilities are there, however we’ve to be targeted on each match.”
Persevering with, he added: “The draw put us on this path, first we’ve to beat Benfica and attempt to qualify.
“It will likely be a tough match and the ambiance there will probably be difficult, extra so given the best way the final match ended there, I feel Benfica are a really sturdy workforce at dwelling, so we’ve to deal with the primary match towards Benfica after which we are going to see.”
Barcelona beat Benfica 5-4 within the league section this season. (Photograph by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Photographs)
On whether or not he thinks it helps the workforce to know who they may face within the subsequent rounds within the Champions League because of the bracket, Deco replied:
“In the end, within the Champions League, there aren’t any such calculations. For instance, final season, when PSG, who for me have been one of many favourites, went out early towards a workforce that was thought-about the weakest. Folks didn’t count on Dortmund to succeed in the ultimate.
“So within the Champions League, there aren’t any such expectations. Those that are inside soccer and know the groups nicely, realise that each one the groups are sturdy in numerous elements.
“That’s the reason I feel a very powerful factor is to play, attempt to qualify step-by-step and deal with every match individually.”
Deco on Actual Madrid’s kind
In the meantime, the Barcelona director additionally touched upon the enhancing type of their arch-rivals Actual Madrid, who beat Manchester Metropolis within the knockout playoffs and can face Atletico Madrid within the Spherical of 16.
“All groups undergo completely different phases, there are higher and worse moments through the season. I feel Actual Madrid have been in fine condition for a very long time,” stated Deco.
“For me, they’re a workforce that has been getting again to their finest since December, they’ve been scoring targets once more and their foremost gamers have been scoring once more.”
Persevering with, he added: “They’re at all times in nice kind, they’re a workforce that has received the Champions League many occasions, so to suppose that Actual Madrid haven’t been in fine condition is only a mistake.
“In my view, Madrid have at all times been good, however there are moments when the workforce is at a decrease or larger degree, as occurred to us. It’s the identical for Actual Madrid, all the good groups at all times get again to their finest.
“However for us, we’ve to deal with our workforce, and we all know that good moments don’t at all times final, however we’ve to grab them, work onerous and proceed to try for one of the best performances.”