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When Pau Cubarsi was despatched off in simply the twenty second minute of Barcelona’s conflict in opposition to Benfica final week, it appeared just like the Catalans had managed to sabotage their Champions League probabilities as soon as extra.
Reminiscences of the sport in opposition to PSG final season got here to the fore, however the gamers held their very own and managed to take dwelling what can solely be described as a particular lead.
Tomorrow night, they take to the sector once more within the second leg of the Spherical of 16 tie and can look to eradicate Benfica from the occasion fully.
Having not performed on the weekend, the group has had near per week to recuperate, though the circumstances of their match being postponed have been unlucky.
Barça Common brings you three speaking factors forward of Barcelona vs Benfica.
The long-term consequence
Barcelona’s sport in opposition to Benfica final week may simply have been uglier than it turned out and it took so much out of the group to grind a win.
Pau Cubarsi’s pink card early within the sport price Barcelona closely, they usually needed to play 70 minutes down a participant in Lisbon in opposition to a motivated Benfica.
They ultimately pulled off the inconceivable as they held off the Portuguese aspect and even scored a objective to win the sport. Hansi Flick and Co. thus acquired previous a significantly difficult scenario unharmed, however the penalties of that sport will roll on tomorrow.
Whereas Barcelona will have the ability to area 11 gamers as soon as once more tomorrow evening, they are going to be with out the providers of Cubarsi as he serves his ban after the pink card. His absence, evidently, is a large blow.
Benfica’s excessive press and skill to create channels previous Barcelona’s excessive defensive position is effectively documented at this level. Not having Cubarsi who understands and thrives in that system, thus, is a problem.
Flick will seemingly go for Ronald Araujo to associate Inigo Martinez on Tuesday. The mix labored wonders within the final sport when Barcelona defended deep, however there are sure to be extra openings in the event that they revert to a excessive line tomorrow.
For sure, so much rides on Flick’s defensive system tomorrow and the participant choice on the again.
Early targets are the precedence
Early targets can be key. (Picture by Angel Martinez/Getty Photos)
The 1-0 lead that the Catalans secured at Estadio da Luz was valuable as provides the dressing room the higher hand on the midway mark of the competition. It’s, nonetheless, a really marginal lead and much from sufficient if Barcelona are to seal the end result tomorrow.
Benfica will enter Monjtuic realizing effectively that they’ve their probabilities to eradicate Barcelona and that one objective will throw the tie huge open as soon as extra. The main target, thus, should be on scoring early targets for the Catalans.
The Blaugrana may have the group behind them and severe confidence after the end result they pulled off final week, and a few early strikes may effectively seal the deal and take the steam out of Benfica’s ambitions.
Therefore, all eyes can be on the ahead trio of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal, whereas Dani Olmo and Pedri can even be essential if the hosts are to ship the ultimate blow early.
A particular motive
There are video games that imply slightly greater than others, and the group comes out motivated to do one thing particular. Tomorrow’s conflict in opposition to Benfica is one such sport whose significance transcends the game for Barcelona.
What occurred on the weekend, in spite of everything, was a tragic occasion as one of many group’s medical doctors, Dr Carles Minarro, handed away within the hours main as much as the conflict in opposition to Osasuna.
Shaken up by the developments and with the squad feeling very touched, Barcelona managed to get the sport postponed, and the Catalans didn’t take to the sector on the evening.
Dr Minarro, in spite of everything, was very near the gamers within the dressing room, and Hansi Flick made it very clear how they have been affected by the sudden information.
Tomorrow’s efficiency, evidently, may have a particular which means for all of the gamers in garnet-and-blue as they appear to honour the soul who was such an in depth a part of their circle till even per week in the past.
The younger squad will thus look to dedicate a dominant win and a spot within the quarterfinal as a tribute to Dr Minarro, and it is going to be an exquisite sight to behold in the event that they certainly make it a particular evening.
