Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has already picked his midfield trio for Benfica showdown

Barcelona are gearing up for an important conflict towards Benfica within the first leg of the UEFA Champions League spherical of 16, and the midfield trio for the match is already taking form. 

In keeping with studies from Alfredo Martinez, Dani Olmo, Pedri, and Frenkie de Jong are anticipated to take cost within the centre of the pitch, offering management, creativity, and stability.

Benfica, below Bruno Lage, are eager to keep away from repeating the defensive errors that value them in earlier encounters towards Barcelona. 

The Portuguese facet, very like the Catalans, prioritises attacking soccer, typically leaving gaps on the again. 

With this in thoughts, they are going to be aiming for a extra structured defensive method whereas sustaining their offensive menace.

What about Barcelona?

On Barcelona’s facet, supervisor Hansi Flick has a full squad at his disposal, with one uncertainty surrounding Gavi. 

Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo and Pedri will begin in midfield. (Photograph by Alex Caparros/Getty Pictures)

The younger midfielder has missed a few coaching classes as a consequence of a fever, making it unlikely that he’ll function within the beginning line-up. 

Because of this, Olmo is about to step in and play a key function in midfield towards Benfica. Past this minor concern, Flick has his most popular beginning XI virtually finalised. 

Primarily based on the final match and the rotations he carried out when the outcome was already secured, it’s anticipated that Inigo Martinez and Alejandro Balde will return to the beginning defence, forming a backline alongside Jules Kounde and Pau Cubarsi. 

In the meantime, De Jong, who was rested within the earlier recreation, is able to begin alongside Pedri and Olmo in midfield.

Up entrance, there isn’t any room for debate. Flick’s attacking trio stays unchanged, as they proceed to be a vital a part of Barcelona’s method. 

With the electrical ambiance on the stadium nonetheless paying homage to thrilling encounters from weeks in the past, Barça can be trying to take a robust first-leg benefit in Lisbon.