After a stellar start to the new year, Barcelona is gearing up to face Benfica in the seventh round of the Champions League group stage. The Spanish giants have been on a roll, with impressive wins in the Super Cup and Copa del Rey, but a recent draw against Getafe has left them with a seven-point deficit behind leaders Real Madrid in La Liga.
Despite the setback, coach Hansi Flick remains confident in his team’s abilities, particularly in the attacking department. „Our goal is to win the match,” he said during a press conference. „It would be a big step towards advancing to the next round and securing a top-eight finish.” Barcelona currently sits in second place in Group E with 15 points, five points ahead of Benfica, who occupies the 15th spot.
The match between Benfica and Barcelona is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 21st, at 21:00 CET at the Estadio da Luz. Fans can catch the action live on Canal+ Sport or stream it online through the Canal+ Online platform (with a subscription to the relevant packages).
Barcelona’s Recent Form
Barcelona’s recent performances have been a mixed bag. They started the year with a convincing 4-0 win over fourth-tier Barbastro, followed by a triumphant Super Cup campaign, where they defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-0 and Real Madrid 5-2 to claim the title under Flick’s leadership. They also cruised to a 5-1 victory over Real Betis in the Copa del Rey, advancing to the quarterfinals.
However, their winning streak came to an end with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Getafe in La Liga, where they struggled to break down the opposing team’s defense. Jules Kounde’s lone goal was not enough to secure the win, as Robert Lewandowski and his teammates were unable to find a way past the Getafe goalkeeper.
Benfica’s Struggles
Benfica, on the other hand, has been having a lackluster season. They currently sit in 15th place in the Champions League group stage with just 10 points from six matches. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with wins against Dynamo Kyiv and Maccabi Haifa, but losses to Bayern Munich andRB Leipzig.
Head-to-Head Record
The two teams have a long history of encounters, with Barcelona holding a slight advantage. In their 12 previous meetings, Barcelona has won 6, drawn 3, and lost 3. The last time they met was in the 2019-2020 Champions League quarterfinals, where Barcelona emerged victorious with a 3-2 aggregate score.
Prediction and Expectations
Given Barcelona’s recent form and Benfica’s struggles, the Spanish giants are expected to come out on top in this encounter. However, as we’ve seen time and time again, the Champions League is full of surprises, and Benfica cannot be written off just yet.
Coach Flick will likely field a strong lineup, with Lewandowski and Kounde leading the charge. Benfica, on the other hand, will need to find a way to contain Barcelona’s potent attack and capitalize on any opportunities that come their way.
As the drama unfolds at the Estadio da Luz, one thing is certain – this match is going to be a thrilling encounter that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. Will Barcelona continue their winning ways, or will Benfica cause an upset? Tune in to find out!