Raphinha scored his 9th Champions League goal of the season leading FC Barcelona to a difficult 1-0 win over Benfica in Lisbon Monday night after Pau Cubarsi was sent off in the 22nd minute leaving Barca a man down.
In what could have turned into a disaster ended up a huge result for Barca, as they showed they could win defending and fighting, something they haven´t had to do this season.
Hansi Flick sacrificed Dani Olmo sacrificed after the red card and Ronald Araujo entered, leaving Barca with one less in the midfield, unless you consider one of the players left was Pedri. Awarded the man of the match, he again played like one of the best in the world and at times it was hard to tell if it was Barca or Benfica playing a man down.
Barca had to sit in and defend for long stretches, something they haven´t done this season with Flick´s high press, but being a man down they needed to, and they did it well. Wojciech Szczesny turned in his best performance as an FC Barcelona player, showing signs of the seasoned Champions League veteran he is.
In the 61st minute Raphinha intercepted a Benfica pass in their defensive third, took a couple of touches and unleashed a left footed shot that Anatoliy Trubin couldn´t even get a touch on. As was the case in January, the Brazilian was the game changer in Lisbon and came up with yet another important and timely goal for FC Barcelona. With 25 goals in all competitions, he´s doubled his goal-scoring production from the past 2 seasons at Barca and has scored as many goals as he did in 4 seasons at Rennes and Leeds United before arriving in 2022.
Flick played a huge part in the win, pulling all the right strings with his tactical adjustments and substitutions. He brought on Ferran Torres for Lamine Yamal in the 56th minute, a change that seemed strange given Lamine is one of the best players in the world. But Torres defends with conviction and Flick needed that as the game wore on 0-0. What happened? 5 minutes later Torres pressed, forced a pass that Raphinha picked off and it was a goal. Later Flick brought on Gerard martin for Robert Lewandowski and marc Casado for Frenkie de Jong, this time two changes that would help hold and secure the 1-0 lead, which they did.
Barca showed Monday they can grind out a win, important as they manage the rest of the season and compete for three trophies. Going back to Barcelona for the 2nd leg up 1-0 affords them the opportunity they need to put Benfica away and move onto the quarterfinals.