Benfica vs Barcelona: Another Champions League match where goalkeepers have shined. Trubin and Szczęsny, both were at their reflexive best and ensured that the affair was a low scoring match. The only goal that was scored was from a break from Barcelona where they caught Benfica sleeping, Raphinha ran through and scored a bullet shot from outside the box.
Benfica vs Barcelona: Szczęsny did not oblige to chances created by Benfica
Many chances were created by Benfica but Szczęsny did not oblige. Benfica had more chances in the game as Barcelona went a man down in the 21st minute and they were reeling with 10 men on the pitch.
Pau Cubarsí was shown the Red Card in the 21st minute when he tackled Pavlidis outside the penalty area. It was a wild tackle and as no other defender was near when he tackled and outrightly denied him a scoring chance. The referee gave a red card seeing these circumstances and after that the match changed.
Earlier Barcelona as their usual self were attacking with intent but after going a man down they were okay with sitting deep and play on counters. On the other hand, the red card saw Benfica get back in the game.
Benfica should have scored on multiple occasions but were denied by Szczęsny as the Polish keeper was at his usual best. It is hard to fathom that he had retired last year and now he is back to his prime again.
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Benfica vs Barcelona: Hansi Flick’s Press Conference Comments
“It’s clear that he’s a different [Wojciech] Szczęsny. In every game, he has more confidence and we defend better. I know he can play at this level because I see him every day in training,” he said.
On Cubarsí’s red card: “This happens in football matches, and it happened to us today. Everyone makes mistakes. The most important thing is how we respond, and the reaction was very good.”
