Key Barcelona defender at risk of suspension for possible UCL quarterfinal first leg | OneFootball

Barcelona are set to take on SL Benfica tomorrow in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash.

The Catalans are coming on the back of a narrow 1-0 win that was secured at Estadio da Luz, a game that saw Pau Cubarsi pick up an early red card.

The young defender, therefore, will not be available for this encounter. But Barcelona must also be careful with the situation revolving around other defenders, namely Inigo Martinez.

One booking away from suspension

With Cubarsi unavailable, Martinez is more than a guaranteed starter for Barcelona tomorrow.

However, with two yellow cards in the competition, Inigo is only one booking away from facing a suspension from a hypothetical quarterfinal first leg.

Inigo Martinez must be careful against Benfica (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

The veteran defender, therefore, must approach the game with utmost caution as his potential absence in the quarterfinals could serve as a massive blow for Barça.

Apart from Martinez, there are several other stars who must also proceed with caution. The likes of Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez and Gavi have all picked up one yellow card this season.

That means another booking against Benfica tomorrow night could see them walking a tightrope in the first leg of the quarterfinal.

Should they pick up another booking in the quarterfinal first leg, they will be suspended for the corresponding second leg.

Given the sheer number of players currently just two bookings away from a suspension, it would be wise for these players to proceed with caution before the bookings get reset for the semifinals.