FC Barcelona's victory in Lisbon against Benfica (0-1) puts Hansi Flick's team one step closer to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, a stage where they fell last season against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite the previous encounter against the French, the history is clearly favorable for the Catalans after winning the away leg in the knockout phase.

In fact, with the exception of the 2024 tie against PSG, Barça advanced in all 11 previous opportunities where they managed to win the away leg. The last favorable precedent for the Blaugrana was in the quarter-finals of the 2018/19 season against Manchester United. Ernesto Valverde's team won 0-1 at Old Trafford and, a week later, sealed the tie at Camp Nou with a thrashing (3-0).

Benfica, against the wall against Barça in Montjuïc

For Benfica, however, the situation is completely unfavorable. The Portuguese have never advanced in the Champions League after losing the first leg at home (three eliminations in three attempts) and they have also failed to defeat Barça in four visits to Catalonia. The last encounters were two goalless draws in the group stages of the 2012/13 and 2021/22 seasons. In the knockout phase, the Catalans prevailed 2-0 in the return leg of the quarter-finals in 2005/06.

That season, coincidentally, the Catalans ended up lifting the 'orejona' in Paris against Arsenal (2-1). Given this, Benfica is obliged to win in Montjuïc next Tuesday (18:45 hours) by at least one goal to force extra time. For the return leg, Hansi Flick's team will not be able to count on Pau Cubarsí, sent off in Lisbon in the 22nd minute. Any draw or Blaugrana victory will allow them to advance to the next phase, where they await Borussia Dortmund or Lille (1-1 on aggregate).

⚽ Here’s how Barça has fared at home in the Champions League against Benfica

  1. Final group stage of the Champions 1991/92 - Matchday 6: FC Barcelona 2-1 Benfica (April 15, 1992, at Camp Nou). Goals: 1-0, Stoichkov (min. 12); 2-0, Bakero (min. 23); 2-1, Brito (min. 27).
  2. Quarter-finals of the Champions 2005/06 - Return leg: FC Barcelona 2-0 Benfica (April 5, 2006, at Camp Nou). Goals: 1-0, Ronaldinho (min. 19); 2-0, Eto'o (min. 89).
  3. Group stage of the Champions 2012/13 - Matchday 6: FC Barcelona 0-0 Benfica (December 5, 2012, at Camp Nou).
  4. Group stage of the Champions 2021/22 - Matchday 5: FC Barcelona 0-0 Benfica (November 23, 2021, at Camp Nou).