Barcelona have obtained a big enhance forward of their UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 conflict, as Benfica may be pressured to play with out certainly one of their most influential gamers.
Experiences from point out that Angel Di Maria, the skilled Argentine ahead, is struggling to get better in time for the primary leg.
His absence could possibly be a , given his function as a pacesetter and first attacking menace of their squad.
What occurred to Di Maria?
Di Maria suffered a muscle damage in his left thigh throughout Benfica’s Champions League play-off tie towards Monaco.
Though he has been making efforts to return by coaching together with his teammates, the newest updates counsel that his restoration is just not progressing quick sufficient.
At this stage, it seems unlikely that he might be included within the squad for the primary leg. If Di Maria is dominated out, he might be becoming a member of a rising checklist of Benfica gamers already unavailable for choice.
The Portuguese membership can be lacking Alexander Bah, Renato Sanches, Manu Silva, and Tiago Gouveia, all of whom have been confirmed as absentees for the essential encounter towards Barcelona.
Benefit Barcelona
For Barcelona, this improvement is nothing in need of a bonus. Di Maria’s absence would imply that Benfica lose not solely a world-class participant but in addition a extremely skilled determine who thrives in massive matches.
Together with his means to unlock defences and create goal-scoring alternatives, his unavailability would definitely restrict Benfica’s attacking choices.
Nonetheless, not all the things is dangerous information for the Portuguese aspect. There are experiences that Florentino Luis, an vital piece of their midfield, might return in time for the fixture.
The defensive midfielder has been recovering effectively from his personal muscle concern and would possibly even begin.
Even when Luis manages to return, Barcelona will nonetheless have the higher hand. Dealing with a weakened Benfica aspect on the Estadio da Luz presents a golden alternative for the Catalan membership to take management of the tie early on.
