FC Barcelona on alert: the risk that could complicate their path in the Champions League

The FC Barcelona will face one of their most important tests of the season this coming Tuesday against Benfica. The blaugranas return to Montjuïc with a 1-0 advantage on aggregate after their victory in Lisbon and will seek to secure their qualification for the quarter-finals of the Champions League in front of their fans, but a specific case will keep both Hansi Flick and the squad on edge during the match.

After receiving a yellow card in the first leg for throwing his shin guard in protest of a harsh tackle from an opponent, Iñigo Martínez arrives at the match against the Lisbon team on the brink of suspension, and if he receives another warning, he would miss the first leg of a hypothetical quarter-final.

A 'headache' for the coaching staff and the player himself, who will almost certainly be a starter due to the suspension of the expelled Pau Cubarsí, so he will need to draw on his leadership and experience to come out 'unscathed' from the clash against the Portuguese.

Similarly, a long list of first-team players have received a card in the current edition of the tournament, which conditions them for the match in Montjuïc. Jules Koundé, Alejandro Balde, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Casadó, Gavi, Fermín López, and Ferran Torres must avoid receiving a yellow card at all costs, as in this case they would be cautioned for the next round of the competition.

• Players at risk of suspension: Iñigo Martínez.
• Players at risk of being cautioned for the quarter-finals: Jules Koundé, Alejandro Balde, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Casadó, Gavi, Fermín López, and Ferran Torres.

Benfica arrives at Montjuïc heavily conditioned

The situation for Benfica, on the other hand, is much more delicate, as the 'eagles' have up to six players on the brink of suspension in the Champions League. Aursnes, Kökçü, Otamendi, Barreiro, Amdouni, and the injured Bah have accumulated two cards in the tournament, and if they are cautioned against the Catalans, they would miss the next match of the tournament if they manage to pull off an upset in their visit to the Catalan capital.

To make matters worse, Bruno Lage will also be without one of the key pieces of his scheme, as left-back Álvaro Carreras will miss the match against Barça due to suspension. The defender received his fifth yellow card in the first leg and will not be present at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, which is a significant loss for the visitors. Likewise, Ángel Di María, Tiago Gouveia, Alexander Bah, and Manu Silva will also be absent against the culés due to injury.