Overview
- Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has announced three lineup changes, with Alejandro Balde, Inigo Martinez, and Frenkie de Jong returning to the starting XI.
- Flick emphasized the importance of improving defensive focus and counterattacks, reflecting on their prior 5-4 comeback win over Benfica in January.
- Benfica manager Bruno Lage expects an exciting, attacking match and aims to exploit Barcelona's defensive spaces, despite injuries sidelining key players Angel Di Maria and Florentino Luis.
- Barcelona enters the match as one of the tournament favorites but faces no 'easy' path, with potential quarterfinal opponents Borussia Dortmund or Lille awaiting the winner.
- Both teams acknowledge the decisive nature of the two-legged tie, with Benfica seeking redemption after their dramatic group-stage loss to Barcelona.