Barcelona defeated Benfica 1-0 in Lisbon on Wednesday to place itself in pole position to reach the last 16 of the Champions League. Raphinha's second half of a strike proved the difference between the two teams, while Wojciech Szczesny also produced an enormous performance at the Estadio Da Luz to prevent the Portuguese giants from finding the back.
It was a chased version of Barcelona, who played with 10 men from the Midway Point in the first half after Pau Cubarsi was sent away for a last man -challenge on Benfica -strits Vangelis Pavlidis. Hansi Flick was very happy with the display on his side, as he made clear during his press conference after the game (via MD).
“I am very proud of the team. After having been to 10 men in the 22nd minute, it is a great achievement of the players. We played an intelligent game. Today we had a good keeper, who was fantastic for us. We have defended as a unity and that is the most important thing. I am happy for them. “
Flick was also full of praise for Pedri, who still supplied a master class from the midfield on the way to another MVP version.
“He is at a cheeky, incredible level. We are happy for him. “
The early red card from Cubarsi forced Flick to set up Ronald Araujo to be Inigo Martinez in the center of defense. Dani Olmo was sacrificed the player for this change, and the midfielder was visibly irritated because he was picked up, although his manager tried to justify the decision after the game.
“It happens, I had to choose. It had nothing to do with him or his performance, it only had to do with tactical adjustments. I think we have made the right changes to the game. “
Barcelona are now fixed favorites to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League, even with Cubarsi that are not available next week. When they make progress, they play Borussia Dortmund or Lille.
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