Barcelona look to punch their ticket to the Champions League quarterfinals when they host Benfica in the second leg of their round of 16 tie.
Playing with 10-men for over an hour of the first leg after a Pau Cubarsí red card, Barcelona pulled off an impressive 1–0 win that have them in the drivers seat to advance to the next round. Despite the one goal advantage, the Catalans must be at their best to avoid a home upset.
Tragic news shocked Barcelona over the weekend, as their scheduled La Liga match vs. Osasuna was postponed following the death of first-team doctor Carles Miñarro Garcia on the eve of the game. Despite not playing, Barcelona remain as table-toppers in La Liga and will be better rested for the crucial Champions League clash vs. the Eagles.
Hansi Flick will almost certainly deploy his strongest XI with the vast majority of his squad available, though, Cubarsí will of course miss the game following his sending off a week ago.
With a visit to Atlético Madrid looming on Sunday in a game that could have massive title ramifications in La Liga, this is a week that could define Flick's first season as Barcelona manager.
Here's how Barça could lineup vs. Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16.
