In a thrilling UEFA Champions League meeting this week, FC Barcelona secured a dramatic 5-4 victory over SL Benfica at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis stole the show in the opening half-hour, netting a sensational hat-trick to put Benfica in firm control. He capitalized on the gaps left by the advanced full-backs, making the most of every opportunity with clinical precision.
Although Hansi Flick made some changes, there was quite a probability those clicks were at the right time. Both teams were with a different approach. As usual, Barcelona played with the method of holding the ball possession, whereas Benfica used the counterattack. In Primera Liga, Portugal’s domestic league, Benfica routinely managed higher possession(61.07%) and positional attacks (42.7 per 90). But against Cules, Bruno Lage switched his way.
Barcelona’s Ball Possession Vs. Benfica’s Counter
After a horrible first half, Flick brings out De Jong, replacing Casadó to provide solidarity in holding ball possession(74%). While Bruno’s side countered, the ball bearers recovered 48 times. After the match, Barcelona boss himself uttered, “They made us defend very deep.” Maintaining an attacking shape 4-3-4, Koundé and Balde looked faineant. Andreas Schjelderup blocked the space for Koundé. As well as Álvaro Carreras, Benfica full-back, was also dangling with the back four to avail the narrow space that Barca often exploited.
Hansi Flick was forced to substitute both of his fullbacks with Torres and Garcia. The Portuguese side was switching the ball from one flank to another. So it was becoming hard for them to recover those balls. Once Pep Guardiola said that the more one will try, the chance of succession would be higher, and the theory is famous in modern football, especially in tough situations.
So the German was trying to overload at the final third. The Spanish club ended with 76 legal entries at the opposition box, where they played more than 250 passes. Benfica often formed either mid or low blocks based on the situation. Ronald Araújo instructed to play a higher defensive line, while Pau Cubarsí focused on delivering precise diagonal balls to bypass Benfica’s relentless press. Gavi and Frenkie de Jong dropped deeper to aid transitions, while Raphinha and Lamine Yamal stretched the opposition by hugging the flanks. That set possibilities.
On multiple occasions, Barcelona appeared ill-prepared to press immediately after losing possession, allowing the ball carrier significant freedom. Coupled with a high defensive line, this lapse in defensive organization enabled Benfica to exploit long balls that easily bypassed Barça’s offside trap.
A Night All About Mistakes
That night in Lisbon, both parties went along rough tackles and received three penalties (one for Benfica and two for Barca). Those could be avoidable. Although fouls are good. Rather than conceding a clear goal, it is fine to commit fouls that lead to penalties. Behind major errors, these two teams depend on possibilities. There is no room for luck in football. If Barca finalized a last-minute winner, then it was their manner as they were overloading countless times.
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