Three speaking factors from Barcelona 3-1 Benfica

Barcelona’s third recreation of the season towards Benfica was as entertaining as their earlier conferences have been, though the staff was much more dominant on this event and way more ruthless.

It was all the time clear that the primary objective on beneath evening could be crucial in deciding the movement of the sport and Raphinha delivered that much-needed objective for Barcelona in simply the eleventh minute.

Benfica’s on the spot response with an equaliser diminished Barcelona’s lead again to only one objective however Yamal and Raphinha struck once more to make it 4-1 on mixture and guarantee the dressing room of a spot within the quarterfinal.

Barça Common brings you three speaking factors from Barcelona 3-1 Benfica.

Yamal and Raphinha are ruthless

There is probably not two higher wingers in world soccer than Lamine Yamal and Raphinha at this second and Barcelona are fortunate to have each of their ranks.

The duo, regardless of having contrasting enjoying kinds, have a standard menace issue within the remaining third and final evening exemplified how ruthless they are often with high quality and precision.

Lamine was on the coronary heart of Barcelona’s first two objectives towards Benfica and produced moments of magic on each events to create objectives out of skinny air.

His dribble to get into the Benfica field for the opener was a factor of magnificence as left the defence bamboozled and located a superbly timed cross to Raphinha. His objective was one among superior magnificence as he chipped the ball over the defence into the again of the web from a distance.

Yamal’s menace down the best flank was a relentless throughout his time on the sphere and he created openings with virtually each attacking push.

Raphinha, in the meantime, was the epitome of precision. He was on the proper place on the proper time to attain off Yamal’s help after which struck from distance with a exact shot to finish his brace.

Standouts in defence

The Barcelona defenders stood as much as the problem. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photos)

Whereas the limelight is rightfully centered on Yamal and Raphinha, Barcelona’s defence put up a sensational shift to continually maintain the offside lure and hold Benfica from coming again into the sport after their early objective.

Ronald Araujo and Alejandro Balde, particularly, had been merely dominant.

The previous changed Pau Cubarsi at centre-back final evening and so much was mentioned about how his deployment would have a unfavorable affect if Barcelona had been to play a high-line.

Araujo, nevertheless, confirmed that he’s adapting to Flick’s plans as he held his line to close perfection and by no means appeared like a free screw.

His distribution was promising and he deserves credit score for the way by which he not solely resiliently defended however saved Benfica continually offside.

Balde additionally loved a really particular evening and was merely unplayable at left-back for Barcelona. Regardless of being tasked with a critical defensive process, the Spaniard terrorised Benfica’s proper flank as he continually pushed ahead and received previous his males to interrupt free. 

In truth, it was he who pioneered Barcelona’s third objective on the evening by a vicious counter-attack which Raphinha finally transformed.

Quarterfinals and going robust

The three-1 scoreline final evening and the 4-1 outcome on mixture meant Barcelona certified for the following spherical of the UEFA Champions League and into the enterprise finish of the marketing campaign.

Regardless of dealing with critical stress towards Benfica, particularly within the first leg, Barcelona saved their cool and accomplished their win with affordable consolation. Final evening’s recreation with 22 gamers on the sphere was determined earlier than half-time and it’s clear that the staff are nonetheless going robust.

Now into the ultimate eight, Barcelona will meet one among Borussia Dortmund or Lille within the quarterfinal. The primary leg in Germany led to a 1-1 draw and Lille have the house benefit for tonight’s eliminator.

The remainder of the highway to Munich can also be shaping up nicely with Inter Milan and Bayern Munich each profitable their video games and qualifying for the quarter-finals. Barcelona will meet the winner of the sport between the 2 giants in a possible semifinal.

The most important growth of the evening, evidently, was the elimination of Liverpool by the hands of PSG. The highest-placed staff within the league stage is thus out of the competitors now and won’t threaten Barcelona’s possibilities of tasting the silverware in any capability.