Barcelonavs.Benfica

The Blaugrana currently have the upper hand in their last-16 tie after they claimed a 1-0 victory in last week's trip to Lisbon despite playing the majority of the first leg with 10 men following Pau Cubarsi's early red card.

Raphinha's second-half effort proved enough to guide Barcelona to their second away win over Benfica in 2025, after they pulled off a 5-4 victory in January's league phase encounter.

The Catalan giants have experienced a difficult period ahead of the second leg after Saturday's La Liga game against Osasuna was postponed following the news that first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia had passed away.

The players and staff held a minutes' silence before Sunday's training session, while the press room also conducted a minutes' silence ahead of Flick's media duties on Monday.

Flick provides Lewandowski update

The Barcelona boss offered an update on Lewandowski's fitness after the striker was left out of the squad for Saturday's home meeting with Osasuna, which was called off shortly before kick off at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

"He is fit and available," Flick told reporters. "He is in top form, on Saturday we decided to rest him. In the training session before the game, he felt some discomfort due to fatigue and we decided to rest him."

Lewandowski has been in fine form this season, having racked up 34 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions, including nine goals in as many Champions League matches.

The 36-year-old scored a couple of those goals in January's 5-4 win over Benfica, which represented the fourth brace he has registered in this season's Champions League.

Flick pays tribute to club doctor Carles Minarro

Flick also paid tribute to Carles Minarro in his pre-match press conference, stating the team "want to win for him" in Tuesday's second leg against Benfica.

"Carles was a great person, but also a great doctor," Flick said. "The combination was incredible for the club and for the team.

"He was a very important part of our success. We will miss him, but I am sure he will be helping us from up there. Now we want to win for him."

Barcelona are bidding to reach the quarter-final stage for the second season in a row, as they continue to dream of adding the Champions League, La Liga title and Copa del Rey to the Spanish Super Cup they have already won this season.

The Blaugrana will be unable to call upon the injured trio of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen and Marc Bernal for Tuesday's fixture, while Cubarsi will serve a one-match ban following his red card in the Portuguese capital.

Written by

Ben Sully