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3 goals and 3 assists in 29 matches

Benfica-Barça: Álvaro Carreras, the secret weapon of 'As Águias'

Published:21/01/2025 - 12:30h

Updated:21/01/2025 - 12:30h

The man from Ferrol is a real dagger on the left flank and his numbers prove it. Another danger that Flick's pupils will have to take into account to avoid greater evils

Calendar of FC Barcelona

Álvaro Carreras (Ferrol, 23/03/2003) is one of those players who is placed in defence, but who has the soul of an attacker. He shared his formative stage between Racing de Ferrol, Deportivo de La Coruña, Real Madrid and Manchester United. Also, already owned by the Manchester team, he spent a season on loan at Preston North End in the Championship and last year he shared it between Granada and Benfica. Finally, he ended up signing for the Portuguese team for 6 million euros, although the 'red devils' have a buy-back option until 2026 for 20 'kilos'.

The Galician defender has taken over the starting left-back position for 'As Águias' and, so far, he is unmovable. In fact, he has only missed one match and it was by obligation, as he had to serve a one-match suspension due to the accumulation of yellow cards. His weight in Bruno Lage's scheme is very large due to the importance that the Portuguese coach gives to the wings. Also, his great performance makes him one of the most fashionable players in his position and, according to several media, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United are following him closely.

Safe in defence and deep in attack

He is a lanky footballer, as he is 1.86 metres tall and has a thin build. His height allows him to be a very safe defender in high duels, in fact, he wins 60% of those he plays in the Champions League and 61% in the domestic competition. He also generates confidence on the ground, as he wins more than half of the clashes he has on the pitch, as well as recovering 5 balls per game and they do not usually dribble him on more than one occasion. If he faces Lamine Yamal, it will not be easy to dribble him.

However, staying only with his great defensive contributions is a mistake, as Carreras is a full-back with a high offensive projection. In 29 games this season, he has managed to score 3 goals and provide 3 assists. He usually completes one dribble per game and reaches the opponent's area in attacking transitions. He also averages a pass success rate of 85%, which shows that he is good at associating.

FC Barcelona will not have an easy match this Tuesday at the Estádio da Luz. Benfica does not have particularly goal-scoring forwards, but the gunpowder is on the wings. Ángel Di María and Aktürkoglu have generated 50.72% of the Portuguese team's goals. Likewise, the left winger, a priori, substitute, Andreas Schjelderup is also very fit, as he has scored 2 goals and assisted 2 times in the last 3 games. Likewise, the Blaugranas must be careful with the protagonist of this analysis, so Koundé and Lamine will have to give their all in defensive tasks.