FC Barcelona - Benfica: Confirmed Lineups - Champions League 24/25

OFFICIAL: The starting lineups of FC Barcelona under Hansi Flick and Benfica under Bruno Lage for the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 2024/25 are now confirmed.

In order to secure qualification to the quarter-finals, Hansi Flick put all the 'meat on the grill'. Ronald Araujo returns to the center of defense to partner with  Iñigo Martínez in the absence of Pau Cubarsí due to suspension, while Dani Olmo is chosen to accompany Pedri and Frenkie de Jong in midfield. The attacking trio, on the other hand, remains intact. The rest of the lineup will consist of the coach's 'untouchables'.

FC Barcelona Lineup

• Starting XI: Szczesny (G); Koundé, Araujo, Íñigo Martínez, Balde; Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Dani Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski.
• Bench: Iñaki Peña (G); Gavi; Ferran Torres; Ansu Fati; Pablo Torre; Fermín López; Casadó; Pau Víctor; Eric García; Kochen (G); Héctor Fort; Gerard Martín.
• Injured: Ter Stegen; Marc Bernal; Andreas Christensen.
• Suspended: Pau Cubarsí.

Significant changes in the eleven that played against Benfica in the first leg of the Round of 16:

1. Ronald Araujo will form a central duo with Iñigo Martínez due to Pau Cubarsí's absence.

After the emotional blow received last weekend due to the passing of doctor Carles Miñarro, Barça will seek to honor his memory and secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions with a resounding victory. The culés remain unbeaten in 2025, with a remarkable record of 13 wins and 3 draws in the 16 matches played so far and come into the match with a 1-0 aggregate lead, hoping to reaffirm their status as favorites to take another step towards the sixth 'Orejona'.

For this reason, Flick has come out with all the 'heavy artillery' for the Round of 16 clash. Iñigo Martínez and Ronald Araujo will form a central duo, while Frenkie de Jong remains in the pivot role and will accompany Dani Olmo and Pedri in midfield. In attack, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski are untouchable. Injured are Ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen and Marc Bernal  and suspended Pau Cubarsí.

Benfica Lineup

• Starting XI: Trubin; Tomás Araújo, António Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Orkun Kökçü, Aursnes, Florentino; Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Pavlidis, Schjelderup.
• Bench: (coming soon).