Tue Mar 11 18:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Barcelona Faces Benfica in Champions League Clash Amidst Grief
**Barcelona, Spain** – FC Barcelona will face Benfica in a crucial Champions League match on Tuesday at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, weighed down by the recent tragic death of team doctor, Dr. Miñarro. The match, kicking off at 1:45 PM ET, sees Barcelona holding a slim 1-0 advantage from the first leg thanks to a Raphinha goal.
Despite the emotional toll, manager Hansi Flick has confirmed the team is prepared for the vital clash, five days before a crucial La Liga game against Atlético Madrid. A quarter-final berth is on the line, a stage Barcelona reached last season before elimination by PSG.
Benfica, under manager Bruno Lage, faces a monumental task. They’ve never won away against Barcelona, and arrive with significant injury concerns to Ángel Di María and Alexander Bah, adding to the suspension of Álvaro Carreras. While Benfica has only lost one of their last ten matches (against Barcelona), they face a Barcelona side unbeaten since the start of the year, with 13 wins in 16 matches and 22 goals scored in seven games at Montjuïc.
Barcelona will also be without the suspended Cubarsí and the injured Ter Stegen and Christensen. However, Flick is expected to field a strong starting XI. Projected lineups include Szczesny, Koundé, Ronald Araújo, Íñigo Martínez, Balde, De Jong, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Lewandowski for Barcelona, and Trubin; Araujo, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Florentino, Kokcu; Akturkoglu, Pavildis, and Schjelderup for Benfica. French referee François Letexier will officiate the match.
First Piper 