La Liga giants Barcelona will be forced to make do without a key member of the club’s backline in their return leg meeting with Benfica.
This comes owing to developments in the tie’s opener on Wednesday evening.
Barcelona are of course currently locked in action.
Turning attentions back towards matters in Europe, the Blaugrana have made the trip to Lisbon, for a Champions League Last-16 showdown with the aforementioned Benfica.
Safe to say, however, that the efforts of Hansi Flick’s troops to eek out a first-leg advantage have not gone exactly according to plan.
As things stand in Portugal, the two sides remain deadlocked at 0-0.
Visitors Barca, though, find themselves a man down.
After VAR intervened following a last-man challenge on the part of Pau Cubarsí, the youngster was shown a straight red card.
As much means not only that Barcelona will be forced to navigate the remainder of this evening’s action without their defensive standout, but also next week’s 2nd leg in Catalunya’s capital.
Conor Laird – GSFN
