Benfica supervisor Bruno Lage won’t be altering issues up in opposition to Barcelona on Tuesday evening, as his aspect try to tug off a serious shock at Montjuic. The Eagles have performed Barcelona twice within the house of a month, popping out on the mistaken aspect by one purpose on two events, regardless of a distinction of eight targets between them.
Earlier than Lage spoke to the press in Barcelona, Hansi Flick mentioned that he wouldn’t be altering a lot forward of the conflict, and didn’t really feel that Benfica can be doing so both. Lage confirmed as a lot.
“The strategy is much like that of the 2 earlier video games in opposition to Barca, maybe with some totally different nuances within the technique. Barca prefer to preserve the ball, play deep, search for one-on-one alternatives, press… For us a very powerful factor is to create alternatives, it’s decisive, however we will need to have the standard to reap the benefits of them. Coming again would give us loads of status,” Lage advised MD.
In his eyes, Benfica had each video games the place they wished them, and the one factor that was lacking was a ruthless streak from the Portuguese giants.
“We now have the sensation that we may have gained the 2 earlier video games as a result of we created many possibilities and we consider that we are able to do it now. We’ll stick to the positives, we wish to proceed these two earlier video games in opposition to a Barca that could be a nice workforce, with high-quality gamers, it’s the one workforce that hasn’t misplaced in 2025.”
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“I don’t assume we lacked something in these two video games, solely targets. If we create so many possibilities once more, we’ll have an opportunity. We now have to play our sport. Is Barca’s excessive defence a chance or an issue? A little bit of each, as a result of they defend areas very effectively.”
One of many main absences for Benfica is Alvaro Carreras at left-back, who’s now suspended. Lage appeared to substantiate Samuel Dahl can be deputising for him.
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“We put together for every match in the identical approach. Dahl has tailored very effectively to the membership and the way in which of taking part in, we’ve used him in several positions.”
One other participant who has been dominated out is Angel di Maria, via damage, who didn’t journey with the workforce to Barcelona. The Blaugrana have roughly a completely match squad obtainable, though Flick has two choice dilemmas, starting with the absence of Pau Cubarsi, additionally suspended after his crimson card within the first leg.