After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Getafe, Barcelona will look to make amends as they .
It will mark Barça’s seventh sport in UCL’s league format, with the Catalans already holding a stable second place within the desk. The membership have received 5 of their six matches up to now and are a favorite to complete inside the highest eight.
Heading into this important sport, Benfica coach Bruno Lage has heaped reward on Barcelona, even labelling them as one of many favourites to win the UCL this season.
Benfica coach forward of Barcelona tie
“After all, they’re a candidate to win the Champions League. They’re a staff with improbable gamers and collectively they’ve the Barça DNA, you’ll be able to see the coach’s hand.
“With a extra vertical sport, stronger within the strain and within the defensive transitions, a really highly effective opponent,” Lage stated (h/t ) when requested about his opponent this midweek.
Lage was additionally requested in regards to the technique Benfica should play with so as to beat the Catalans this week.
“Strategically we now have to alter, it’s a unique sport and a unique rival. Then we now have to see the right way to play with and with out the ball. It’s important, the right way to create issues in a really superior line. That’s what we did in the present day,” he replied.
“There are two elementary points, one is that we take a look at ourselves, at the right way to play. With and with out the ball. Easy methods to create issues for a ahead line of defense,” he concluded.
Lage’s eager observations are sufficient to counsel that Benfica are strategically ready to tackle Barcelona this midweek.
The Portuguese giants, in any case, are identified for his or her means to trigger upsets in huge European video games. Whether or not or not they’ll convey their A-game this week stays to be seen, although.
Within the league, Benfica are concerned in an in depth race with Sporting CP, with the Eagles trailing their rivals by simply three factors.
Within the Champions League, Benfica stand fifteenth within the league desk, with ten factors in six matches. They’re curiously forward of Actual Madrid and Manchester Metropolis, although rather a lot might change ought to they fail to trigger an upset in opposition to Barcelona.