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The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Round of 16 Second Leg encounters are knocking on the doors, offering some of the most decisive encounters this season, potentially setting up some big match-ups in the quarters.
Coming up this week 😮💨#UCL pic.twitter.com/2COhFpxvdw
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 10, 2025
After a slender victory in the first-leg encounter, FC Barcelona will host Benfica at home at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium on 11 March 2025, for the second-leg encounter in the UCL 2024-25 RO16.
The Blaugranas were down to ten men following Pau Cubarsi's early send off. However, Wojciech Szczęsny's spectacular performance with eight saves along with Raphinha's beautiful finish secured the lead for Barcelona against Benfica in this crucial R016 tie.
From possible starting XIs to Fantasy predictions, here is everything you need to know about FC Barcelona vs Benfica's second leg of the Round of 16 match in the UEFA Champions League 2024-25.
Read Also | UCL 2024-25 Round of 16 Draw: All details
Match Details
Match: FC Barcelona vs Benfica - UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Round of 16 tie, Second Leg
Date: 11 March 2025
Time: 11:15 pm IST
Venue: Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, Barcelona, Spain
Broadcasting and Streaming Details
The match will be streamed Live on the Sony Liv app and website. Viewers can also watch the game live on TV on Sony Sports Network.
Team News
FC Barcelona
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On March 6th, Barcelona managed a narrow 1-0 victory at the Estadio da Luz, taking the lead in this RO16 tie against Benfica.
Raphinha netted a thunderous strike in the 61st minute to ensure Barca's victory after getting down to ten men, while Wojciech Szczęsny produced a masterclass at goal, providing eight crucial saves throughout the game.
Barcelona have not played any matches recently, as their LaLiga game against Osasuna was postponed. This postponement came after Barcelona requested it due to the tragic passing of first-team doctor Carles Miñarro, hours before the Osasuna match.
The players and coaching staff observed a minute's silence before Sunday’s training at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, whereas Benfica manager Bruno Lage also extended his condolences to Barcelona.
Despite the difficult atmosphere at the club, the Catalan side will do their best against Benfica to enter the quarter-finals for the second consecutive season.
There are days when football takes a back seat. Carles, you will always be remembered. pic.twitter.com/mhvGQznPxe
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 9, 2025
However, coach Hansi Flick must find the defensive combination without Pau Cubarsi, who got suspended following the red card in the first leg. Andres Christensen suffered a fresh injury while Marc Andre Ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are recovering from the long-term injuries. On the contrary, Gavi is expected to be back in the squad.
🚨ℹ️ L’UEFA a accepté à requête du Barça pour qu’aucun joueur ne se présente en conférence de presse avant le match face à Benfica. Le Club souhaite protéger le groupe et c’est Hansi Flick qui répondra aux questions des journalistes.
— 𝗙𝗖𝗕 (@BarcaFRNews) March 10, 2025
Une minute de silence devrait avoir lieu. pic.twitter.com/sVdAZaz2zU
Benfica
Benfica must have been disappointed to suffer a narrow defeat in last week's home match. The Eagles failed to capitalize on Cubarsi's red card, losing at home to Barcelona for the second time this season, having previously experienced a shocking 4-5 defeat to them in a league phase match last January.
However, Benfica will travel to Spain following a 3-0 victory against Nacional in Liga Portugal this weekend, helping themselves to boost confidence before the decisive second leg encounter.
The Portuguese side will leave no stone unturned to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League since their consecutive quarter-final finishes in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.
🔜 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒂! 🛫#𝑼𝑪𝑳 pic.twitter.com/6elq3Sy6xw
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) March 10, 2025
Manager Bruno Lage will have to field a competitive eleven against Barca without the services of Angel Di Maria, Alexander Bah, Manu Silva and Tiago Gouveia. Tomas Araujo is still doubtful for the game, while Alvaro Carreras will be suspended for accumulation of yellow cards.
Head-to-head Stats
Barcelona have only lost one of their last 10 games against Benfica in European competition (W5 D4), while they are unbeaten in the four occasions when they’ve hosted the Portuguese side (W2 D2)
On the other hand, Benfica haven’t won any of their four away games against Barcelona in European competition (D2 L2), while they’ve failed to score a goal in each of the last three.
Matches played: 11
Barcelona won: 5
Benfica won: 2
Draws: 4
Possible Playing XI
FC Barcelona
Wojciech Szczęsny (GK); Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Inigo Martinez, Aljeandro Balde; Dani Olmo, Frenkie De Jong, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski
Benfica
Anatoliy Trubin (GK); Leandro Santos, Antonio Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Samuel Dahl; Fredrik Aursnes, Leandro Barreiro, Orkun Kökçü; Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Andreas Schjelderup, Vangelis Pavlidis
Barcelona vs Benfica: Fantasy XI Prediction
Szczęsny, Inigo, Otamendi, Balde, Pedri, Kökçü, Aktürkoğlu, Yamal, Pavlidis, Raphinha, Lewandowski