Barcelona have obtained a major enhance forward of their UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 conflict, as Benfica may be pressured to play with out one among their most influential gamers.
Stories from point out that Angel Di Maria, the skilled Argentine ahead, is struggling to recuperate in time for the primary leg.
His absence may very well be a , given his function as a pacesetter and first attacking menace of their squad.
What occurred to Di Maria?
Di Maria suffered a muscle damage in his left thigh throughout Benfica’s Champions League play-off tie towards Monaco.
Though he has been making efforts to return by coaching together with his teammates, the newest updates recommend that his restoration shouldn’t be progressing quick sufficient.
At this stage, it seems unlikely that he might be included within the squad for the primary leg. If Di Maria is dominated out, he might be becoming a member of a rising checklist of Benfica gamers already unavailable for choice.
The Portuguese membership can also be lacking Alexander Bah, Renato Sanches, Manu Silva, and Tiago Gouveia, all of whom have been confirmed as absentees for the essential encounter towards Barcelona.
Benefit Barcelona
For Barcelona, this growth is nothing wanting a bonus. Di Maria’s absence would imply that Benfica lose not solely a world-class participant but additionally a extremely skilled determine who thrives in massive matches.
Along with his capability to unlock defences and create goal-scoring alternatives, his unavailability would definitely restrict Benfica’s attacking choices.
Nonetheless, not every thing is unhealthy information for the Portuguese aspect. There are reviews that Florentino Luis, an essential piece of their midfield, may return in time for the fixture.
The defensive midfielder has been recovering effectively from his personal muscle difficulty and may even begin.
Even when Luis manages to return, Barcelona will nonetheless have the higher hand. Dealing with a weakened Benfica aspect on the Estadio da Luz presents a golden alternative for the Catalan membership to take management of the tie early on.