Barcelona vs Benfica: A Story of Dominance and Underdog Hope

In recent encounters, Barcelona seems to have a firm grip on their series with Benfica. They secured a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg of this last-16 match in Lisbon last week, even while playing with just ten men. This victory followed their thrilling 5-4 triumph at Estádio da Luz in January during the group stages. Consequently, Hansi Flick’s team seems to have deciphered the code to defeating the Eagles. Adding to their advantage is their impeccable record against Benfica at home; Barcelona has never lost to them in matches held there, a streak that dates back to 1991.

However, hope still lingers in the air for Benfica. On their last two visits to Barcelona, they managed to hold the home team to a 0-0 draw. Though such a result wouldn’t suffice to turn the tide in their favor tonight, it highlights their potential to keep the contest an unpredictable one. The chance of pulling off a surprise may appear slim, but it remains within grasp if they can maintain their resilience and capitalize on those rare opportunities.