Barcelona will tackle Benfica tonight with their sights set on breaking a long-standing streak within the Champions League.
The membership has not gained a first-leg match within the spherical of 16 since 2016, making this upcoming conflict an important check.
The final time Barcelona managed to safe a victory on this stage was in opposition to Arsenal on the Emirates Stadium, the place a brace from Lionel Messi sealed a 2-0 win, paving the best way for his or her qualification to the quarter-finals.
Barcelona’s battle in first leg
Since that triumph, the Catalan giants have struggled within the first legs of the spherical of 16, recording 4 attracts and two defeats.
In each the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns, they had been unable to achieve this stage in any respect, as they had been eradicated within the group part, marking a big setback for a membership of their stature.
The difficulties started within the 2016-17 season with a devastating 0-4 defeat in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain on the Parc des Princes. Nevertheless, Barcelona famously turned issues round with a historic 6-1 comeback on the Camp Nou.
Within the following three campaigns, they had been unable to win their opening fixtures however nonetheless managed to progress. In 2017-18, they drew 1-1 in opposition to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier than securing a convincing 3-0 victory at house.
The 2018-19 season noticed one other draw, this time a goalless affair in opposition to Olympique Lyon, which was adopted by a dominant 5-1 triumph on the Camp Nou.
In 2019-20, a 1-1 draw in opposition to Napoli on the San Paolo was performed earlier than the competitors was halted as a result of pandemic. When it resumed months later, Barcelona clinched qualification behind closed doorways.
The 2020-21 season introduced one other setback, with a heavy 1-4 loss in opposition to PSG on the Camp Nou. Though they confirmed resilience in Paris with a 1-1 draw, it was not sufficient to overturn the deficit.
After failing to achieve this stage for 2 consecutive seasons, Barcelona returned to the spherical of 16 final yr. They as soon as once more confronted Napoli, drawing 1-1 away earlier than sealing their development with a 3-1 win at Montjuïc.
With this historical past in thoughts, Barcelona will probably be keen to finish their lengthy await a first-leg victory and take an essential step towards the quarter-finals.