Official: Barcelona starting lineup against Benfica – Gavi absent | OneFootball

Barcelona will take on SL Benfica for the second time in this season’s UEFA Champions League, this time in the Round of 16, with the first leg set to kick off tonight at Estadio da Luz in an hour.

Ahead of the game, Barça boss Hansi Flick has announced the starting lineup, making some changes to the team that took the field against Real Sociedad at the weekend.

Two of the alterations come in the defensive line where Inigo Martinez and Alejandro Balde are back in the side, replacing Ronald Araujo and Gerard Martin, respectively. Jules Kounde and Pau Cubarsi complete the backline that will shield Wojciech Szczesny.

Moving into the midfield department, Flick has opted to reinstate Frenkie de Jong in the starting XI, which comes at the expense of Marc Casado dropping to the bench.

Pedri and Dani Olmo both retain their places as expected.

There are no changes in the attacking unit either with Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha all starting.

Gavi has not been included in the matchday squad after he did not train on Tuesday due to a fever. Ansu Fati, as a result, gets named and is among the substitutes.