Date: Wednesday 29th September, 2021
Time: 8:00 pm
Stadium Estadio da Luz
Referee Daniele Orsato (Italy)
Goal Scorer:
Team News
Benfica
Benfica will have defender Lucas Verissimo available after his European ban and should slot straight in the back-three. Nicolas Otamendi and Jan Vertonghen are expected to play alongside each other at the heart of the Benfica defence.
Adel Taarabt is available for the Champions League as his lengthy domestic ban does not affect European competitions. Haris Seferovic is one who the Portuguese side will miss for this encounter, as he remains out injured at least until the international break. Jorge Jesus looks unlikely to break momentum in this squad and retain most of his domestic starters.
Meaning, Roman Yaremchuk is likely to continue leading the line in attack in Seferovic’s absence. Jesus will retain the shape of his side with a front three and a midfield pivot. The likes of Alejandro Grimaldo and Gilberto will take their customary wing-back positions against Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Pizzi and Everton are pushing to start in wide areas, but like other positions, Jesus remains sceptical to make untimely changes given the importance of this particular clash. This could lead the manager to name Darwin Nunez and Rafa in wide areas in support of Yaremchuk.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Vlachodimos; Verissimo, Otamendi, Vertonghen; Gilberto, Weigl, Mario, Grimaldo; Rafa, Yaremchuk, Nunez
Barcelona
Ronald Koeman still has to function without long-term absentees Martin Braithwaite, Ousmane Dembele, Jordi Alba and Sergio Aguero. Alejandro Balde is also uncertain to play with their respective injuries. Pedri and Sergi Roberto have been passed fit, but Koeman will be wary of starting with them straightaway.
Sergino Dest is likely to continue at left-back in Alba’s absence, while Oscar Mingueza will play on at right-back. Frenkie de Jong should slot straight back into midfield after a domestic ban that saw him miss the win over Levante. Sergio Busquets should be his partner in the centre.
Ronald Araujo and Gerard Pique should keep their places in central defence, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.
As de Jong comes back in midfield, Gavi is expected to slot on the right side of the attack, with Philippe Coutinho likely to play behind striker Luuk de Jong. Memphis Depay will continue on the left side of the attack as Barcelona aim for their first group win in this edition of the Champions League.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): ter Stegen; Mingueza, Araujo, Pique, Dest; Frenkie de Jong, Busquets; Gavi, Coutinho, Depay; Luuk de Jong
Quote
Key Stats
Benfica have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven games in the Champions League.
Benfica are unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions.
Benfica are unbeaten in their last five matches in the Champions League
Benfica have not scored in any of their four previous meetings with Barcelona in the Champions League
Barcelona have kept a clean sheet in their last four games against Benfica in all competitions.
Benfica have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven games in the Champions League.
Benfica are unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions.
Benfica are unbeaten in their last five matches in the Champions League
Benfica have not scored in any of their four previous meetings with Barcelona in the Champions League
Barcelona have kept a clean sheet in their last four games against Benfica in all competitions.
Prediction:Benfica 1-1 Barcelona
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