On March 11, 2025, FC Barcelona will face SL Benfica at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona for the return leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 after winning the first match 1-0. This important match is colored by the emotional backdrop of the recent passing of the club's doctor, Carles Minyaro Garcia, leading to the postponement of their La Liga match against Osasuna.
The memory of Minyaro, who was deeply respected within the club, heavily weighs on the players. Barcelona’s coach, Hans-Dieter Flick, spoke to the press about the impact of this loss on the team. "I think the team has handled the situation well. Yesterday, the president came to the locker room and spoke. I also addressed the players. It’s a huge loss; Carles was an amazing person and excellent doctor. His work was important to our successes. We will miss him dearly. But the team wants to play in his honor. We're focused on achieving victory," said Flick during the press conference.
Barcelona’s squad faces some obstacles for the match, as key players Marc-André ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, and Marc Bernal are sidelined due to injuries. Pau Cubarsi will also be unavailable after receiving a red card during the previous match against Benfica, where his dismissal led to significant changes during the game.
Despite these setbacks, Barcelona has been riding high after their nail-biting victory against Benfica at the Estádio da Luz earlier this year, winning 5-4, with the decisive goal from Rafinha. The team remains at the top of La Liga, though they were recently caught up by Real Madrid. This challenging situation has pushed the club to refocus their efforts for the upcoming match against Benfica.
Conversely, Benfica enters this matchup buoyed by their strong recent performance, having defeated Nacional with ease, 3-0, where Zeki Amdouni opened the scoring just five minutes in. The team is determined to mount an impressive comeback after two earlier losses to Barcelona this year. Coach Bruno Lage emphasized the challenge of the match, stating they are under no pressure and can play freely against the Catalan giants.
Flick's team appears confident but acknowledges the need to improve certain aspects of their game. Flick remarked on the necessity of maintaining composure and security on the pitch, particularly with the memories of their past clashes with Benfica weighing heavily upon them. Both teams understand the importance of this match not just for their progression through the tournament but also as homage to Minyaro.
Regarding the starting lineups, Barcelona is expected to be led by Rafinha and Robert Lewandowski, aiming to exploit the spaces left open by Benfica’s tactical moves. For Benfica, enhanced performances are anticipated from key players like Orkun Kekçü and Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored late during their last match. They will not have the services of several injured players, including Ángel Di María, who has been pivotal for the squad.
Looking back at previous encounters between these teams, Barcelona leads with notable wins including their last being memorable, but Benfica remains determined to shift the narrative this time around. Traditionally, matches at Camp Nou have led to stark victories for Barcelona, and hopes are high for another home win.
With tension high and stakes higher, the backdrop against which this match is being played adds layers of significance. Barcelona aims to not only secure their place as champions but to also honor the memory of their beloved doctor who passed, deepening the motivation to win. The emotions flaring the excitement around the fixture as they prepare for kick-off at 19:45, where both teams will be aiming to clinch their advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
This match is not only pivotal for the teams but also showcases the spirit of competition within the Champions League, where every match tells a story beyond the pitch. Viewers can catch the action live on MEGOGO and Volia TV, and as fans gather to support their team, the memory of Carles Minyaro Garcia will resonate heartily with players, management, and supporters alike.