Bruno Lage talks Raphinha, Yamal, Lewandowski, Pedri, Szczesny ahead of Barcelona vs Benfica | OneFootball

Benfica manager Bruno Lage addressed the media ahead of his team’s crucial UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg match against Barcelona.

Despite facing a tough challenge, he remained optimistic, emphasising that if Benfica can create as many chances as they did in previous encounters, they have a realistic chance of securing a victory against the Catalan side.

Benfica have suffered two defeats against Barcelona, but Lage believes that his team still has opportunities to turn the tie around.

He acknowledged that Barcelona thrive on maintaining possession, pushing forward with deep runs, and applying high pressure.

“The approach is similar to that of the two previous games against Barça, perhaps with some different nuances in the strategy. Barça like to keep the ball, play deep, look for one-on-ones, press,” he began saying.

For Benfica, the key would be to generate scoring opportunities while ensuring they have the necessary quality to convert them into goals. A comeback victory would be a significant achievement for the club.

“For us, the most important thing is to create opportunities, it is decisive, but we must have the quality to take advantage of them. Coming back would give us a lot of prestige,” he noted.

Reflecting on previous defeats

Bruno Lage is quite optimistic. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Lage reflected on the past performances against Barcelona and stated that his team had the sensation that they could have won both previous encounters.

“We have the feeling that we could have won the two previous games because we created many chances and we believe that we can do it now,” he said.

He remained focused on maintaining the strengths displayed in those past matches while recognising the challenge posed by Barcelona, a team filled with top-tier talent and still undefeated in 2025.

“We will stick with the good things, we want to continue those two previous games against a Barça that is a great team, with high-quality players, it is the only team that has not lost in 2025.”

On Barcelona’s quality

Instead of singling out individual players, Lage preferred to analyse Barcelona as a collective unit.

However, he did acknowledge that he was familiar with Raphinha from his time at Sporting CP and Leeds, praising the Brazilian’s impressive performances in Barcelona’s squad.

“I knew Raphinha from Sporting de Portugal and Leeds, he is doing a great job in Barcelona, ​​who knows if he could win the Ballon d’Or.”

Bruno Lage praised Raphinha. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

He also mentioned that Lamine Yamal is among the best players in the world, though Benfica’s strategy would not revolve around stopping a single player.

He also recognised the threats posed by Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Wojciech Szczesny, who played a key role in the first-leg victory.

“Lamine? One of the best in the world, but our strategy is not to focus on one player. There is Lewandowski, Pedri, who I like in midfield, Szczesny who was the best in the first leg,” he added.

Pau Cubarsi’s absence

Lage also highlighted how Benfica carefully analyse their opponents, particularly in the absence of Pau Cubarsi.

He explained that his team carefully studies opposition centre-backs, assessing their preferred passing angles and decision-making when building play from the back.

“We prepare the strategy well to put pressure on the centre-backs, we look at which foot they use to come out from behind, the passing lines they usually use,” he explained.

Source: Mundo Deportivo