In a thrilling UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match at Estádio da Luz, FC Barcelona secured a 1-0 victory over SL Benfica, showcasing resilience and tactical prowess despite early adversity.
Early Setback: Cubarsí's Red Card
The match took a challenging turn for Barcelona in the 22nd minute when young defender Pau Cubarsí received a straight red card for a last-man foul on Vangelis Pavlidis. This dismissal left the team with ten men for the majority of the game, necessitating a swift tactical adjustment from manager Hansi Flick. espn.co.uk+4soccernews.com+4inkl.com+4soccernews.com+3sportskeeda.com+3espn.co.uk+3
Szczesny's Heroic Performance
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny emerged as the linchpin of Barcelona's defense, delivering a stellar performance that kept Benfica at bay. Making eight crucial saves, Szczesny's efforts were instrumental in maintaining the clean sheet. Reflecting on his performance, Szczesny remarked, "It is still to come, don't worry," indicating his confidence in delivering even better performances in the future. inkl.com+2sportskeeda.com+2soccernews.com+2espn.co.uk
Raphinha's Decisive Goal
Despite being a man down, Barcelona capitalized on a defensive error by Benfica in the 61st minute. Raphinha intercepted a misplaced pass and struck a low shot that deflected off a defender, finding its way into the net. This goal not only secured the win but also highlighted Raphinha's clinical finishing under pressure. elpais.com+4inkl.com+4sportskeeda.com+4elpais.com
Pedri's Acknowledgment
Midfielder Pedri lauded Szczesny's crucial saves, stating, "Szczęsny has saved us many times. Under the posts, he’s huge for us." He further added, "Szczęsny wasn’t very happy the last time he played here... today, he saved us. Grateful to have him." sportskeeda.com
Manager's Perspective
Coach Hansi Flick expressed immense pride in his team's performance, especially after the early red card. He praised their intelligent gameplay and defensive solidity, emphasizing the importance of Szczesny's contributions: "I think this is very important when you have a clean sheet, with 10 players only, that you have a great and fantastic goalkeeper on the pitch." soccernews.com+3sportskeeda.com+3espn.co.uk+3espn.co.uk
Looking Ahead
With this hard-fought victory, Barcelona takes a crucial advantage into the second leg at Camp Nou. The team's ability to adapt and overcome challenges underscores their determination to progress further in the Champions League.