Barcelona’s Path to Champions League Glory: A Look at Their Knockout Round Showdown with Benfica
It’s been 10 years since Barcelona last won the Champions League, but with their recent form, fans are already dreaming of another European triumph. This season, Barcelona has been placed in a favorable position, away from the heavyweights like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain. With their eyes firmly set on a potential final in Munich, the road to European glory is within their grasp.
Barcelona’s Dominance in the League Phase
Although Barcelona faces tough competition from Bayern Munich or Inter Milan in the knockout round, they’ve certainly made a statement in the league phase. After an early loss to Monaco, the Blaugrana bounced back, securing 19 points from their next 21 available. Barcelona’s attacking power has been unstoppable, scoring an impressive 28 goals in just eight league games. No other team has come close, with Borussia Dortmund second at 22 goals.
Unbeaten 2025: Barcelona’s Resilient Run
Barcelona’s recent form in all competitions has been nothing short of dominant. Their 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad propelled them to the top of La Liga, and marked their 15th consecutive match without defeat. With an unbeaten 2025 record, Barcelona’s offense has been lethal, scoring at least twice in 11 of their last 12 away matches. The Catalans are firing on all cylinders as they look to secure a Champions League quarter-final spot.
Benfica’s Fight for European Supremacy
While Barcelona have been the standout team in the group stages, Benfica has been a surprise package. The Portuguese side battled their way through a tense tie with Monaco, drawing 3-3 in the second leg and advancing thanks to a 1-0 win in the first leg. Benfica has also been in great form domestically, now level with Sporting Lisbon at the top of the Primeira Liga and advancing to the semi-finals of the Taca de Portugal. Their thrilling 5-4 defeat to Barcelona in the group stage showed their attacking capabilities, and with 35 goals in 10 Champions League matches, they’ve proven they can score against the best.
Key Players: Barcelona’s Attack and Benfica’s Resilience
Barcelona’s attacking trio of Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal has been a nightmare for opposition defenses. Raphinha, in particular, has had an outstanding campaign, recording 12 goal involvements, placing him among the top Brazilian players in a single Champions League season.
Benfica will be without key midfielder Florentino, who is sidelined due to a thigh injury. However, striker Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored a hat-trick in the memorable 5-4 loss to Barcelona, will be looking to lead the line. Pavlidis has been directly involved in 9 goals this season, and his form will be critical in the upcoming clash.
Barcelona vs. Benfica: The Road to the Quarter-finals
As the two teams prepare for their knockout round clash, both are in excellent form, making for an exciting encounter. With Barcelona’s formidable attack and Benfica’s never-say-die attitude, the battle for a Champions League quarter-final spot promises to be one of the most thrilling of the season.
Barcelona’s Possible Starting Lineup: Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Benfica’s Possible Starting Lineup: Trubin; Araujo, Otamendi, Silva, Carreras; Kokcu, Barreiro, Aursnes; Akturkoglu, Pavlidis, Bruma
With both teams eager to progress in Europe’s elite competition, this is a match you won’t want to miss. Will Barcelona’s attacking prowess carry them through, or will Benfica’s resilience create an upset? The road to Champions League glory is on, and it’s set to be an unforgettable showdown.