Benfica manager Bruno Lage will not be making significant changes against Barcelona on Tuesday night, as his side attempts to pull off a major upset at Montjuic. The Eagles have played Barcelona twice in the space of a month, losing by one goal on both occasions, despite a significant difference in goal tally between the two teams.
Before Lage spoke to the press in Barcelona, Hansi Flick stated that he would not be making many changes ahead of the clash and did not think Benfica would be doing so either. Lage confirmed as much.
"The approach is similar to that of the two previous games against Barca, perhaps with some different nuances in strategy," Lage told MD. "Barca like to keep the ball, play deep, look for one-on-one opportunities, and press. For us, the most important thing is to create opportunities, which is decisive, but we must have the quality to take advantage of them. Coming back would give us a lot of prestige."
In Lage's eyes, Benfica had both games where they wanted them, and the only thing missing was a ruthless streak from the Portuguese giants.
"We have the feeling that we could have won the two previous games because we created many chances, and we believe that we can do it now," Lage said. "We'll stick with the positives; we want to continue those two previous games against a Barca that is a great team with high-quality players. It's the only team that hasn't lost in 2025."
"I don't think we lacked anything in those two games, only goals. If we create so many chances again, we'll have a chance. We have to play our game. Is Barca's high defense an opportunity or a problem? A bit of both, because they defend spaces very well."
One of the major absences for Benfica is Alvaro Carreras at left-back, who is now suspended. Lage seemed to confirm that Samuel Dahl would be deputizing for him.
"We prepare for each match in the same way. Dahl has adapted very well to the club and the way of playing; we have used him in different positions."
Another player who has been ruled out is Angel di Maria, through injury, who did not travel with the team to Barcelona. The Blaugrana have more or less a fully fit squad available, although Flick has two selection dilemmas, beginning with the absence of Pau Cubarsi, also suspended after his red card in the first leg.
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