Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Angel Di Maria has been formally dominated out of Benfica’s squad for his or her Champions League round-of-16 second-leg conflict towards Barcelona, reviews SPORT.
The Argentine worldwide, who additionally missed the primary leg in Lisbon, did not get well in time for the match at Estadi Olimpic de Montjuic and isn’t travelling with the remainder of the squad to Catalonia. As an alternative, he has remained in Lisbon to proceed his rehabilitation.
The 37-year-old has 14 targets and eight assists from 32 matches in all competitions for the Portuguese giants this season. As such, his absence shall be a blow for the Portuguese giants.
No Di Maria however two gamers return
Nonetheless, Tomas Araujo has been included within the squad that departed from Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon. The defender missed Benfica’s final league match towards Nacional attributable to muscle overload.
Bruno Lage opted to relaxation him in that fixture, prioritising squad rotations to maintain key gamers contemporary for the decisive encounter in Barcelona.
One other key participant making the journey to Barcelona is Florentino Luis. The defensive midfielder missed the primary leg attributable to harm however was included within the squad for the match towards Nacional. Nonetheless, he remained on the bench all through as Benfica comfortably received 3-0.
Florentino Luis shall be accessible for Benfica. (Picture by Gualter Fatia/Getty Pictures)
Florentino shall be essential in Benfica’s try and neutralise Barcelona’s midfield. Having beforehand performed in La Liga on mortgage at Getafe, he’s accustomed to Spanish soccer.
In truth, Barcelona as soon as thought-about him as a possible successor to Sergio Busquets however finally opted for Oriol Romeu attributable to monetary constraints.
In the meantime, Alvaro Carreras additionally travelled to Catalonia with the squad, despite the fact that he’s suspended and won’t be accessible for the match.
Regardless of this, the previous Actual Madrid academy participant needed to be along with his teammates and assist them from the stands.
Carreras’ absence is a major blow for Benfica, as he brought on Barcelona appreciable issues within the first leg.
Jules Kounde struggled to comprise him, forcing Hansi Flick to reposition Raphinha on the correct flank, regardless of Barça being a person down following Pau Cubarsi’s crimson card, to assist defend towards the attacking full-back.
