Wed Mar 05 20:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Barcelona Faces Benfica in Crucial Champions League Clash Amidst Injury Concerns
**Lisbon, Portugal** – FC Barcelona faces a crucial Champions League clash against Benfica on Wednesday, a rematch of their January encounter. While the Blaugrana are looking to reach the quarterfinals for the third time in six seasons, they face a Benfica side hungry for a fourth quarterfinal appearance in the last decade.
The match marks the 11th continental meeting between the two clubs and the first two-legged knockout tie since the 2006 quarterfinals. Barcelona will be looking to improve on their recent Champions League performances, having been eliminated in the group stages in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.
Barcelona’s Wojciech Szczesny will start in goal, having secured his place after a strong run of form. However, the team will be without Marc-André ter Stegen and Andreas Christensen through injury, while Gavi’s participation remains uncertain due to illness.
Benfica, meanwhile, is dealing with a more significant injury crisis. While Renato Sanches returns from injury, key players Ángel di María, Florentino Luis, Manu Silva, Alexander Bah, and Tiago Gouveia are all sidelined.
This high-stakes match promises an exciting encounter, with both teams battling for a place in the next round of the Champions League. The game kicks off at 3 PM ET / 12 PM PT / 1 PM MX, with German referee Felix Zwayer officiating. Adding intrigue to the situation, former Barcelona assistant coach, currently with the Mexican national team, was spotted in Lisbon with Barcelona executives and Lamine Yamal’s agent. The nature of this meeting remains undisclosed.
First Piper 