Barcelona kissed by chaos on a memorable Champions League night

And that’s exactly why we can’t get enough of the Champions League. What a show.

By beating Benfica, Barcelona are almost guaranteed a place in the round of 16, with more exciting football to follow.

Did they deserve to win this game? Honestly, no. Benfica were the better team for most of the game and Bruno Lage came up with a game plan that rattled the Blaugrana.

But this is a reminder that European football is often chaotic and anything can happen if you keep fighting until the end.

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Around the 75th minute I was so ready to go on this team because of the way they showed up. Mentally not fired up, coming out of the work of a Benfica team that added the intensity and physicality. And not like Getafe, but in a way that showed they wanted the win more than their opponent.

Sometimes all it takes is an unlikely shock on the field to turn your fortunes around. The doink from Raphinha’s head into the goal was just the lifeline Barca needed to get their adrenaline pumping and the belief that a comeback was possible.

Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha have not been at their best in the last two games. In fact, throughout the game they have been sloppy and their lack of energy and commitment to the press put their team in a very vulnerable position in Lisbon. But in the end, all three made important contributions to their team’s victory.

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Lewandowski takes his penalties. That’s a big plus because before this season he looked like he was losing his mojo in this area.

Lamine Yamal may be too relaxed of late, but he is still finding ways to create danger and was critical late in the game to put Benfica on their backs.

Raphinha’s big moment to seal victory was just what he needed to get his confidence flowing again. And big thumbs up to Ferran Torres as well for the incredible pass to the attack.

But all three, along with Gavi in ​​this one, must also take responsibility for not doing more to protect Barcelona’s high line. The second goal scored by Benfica should be watched and Hansi Flick should make sure his side understand that they cannot take risks playing so high up the pitch if the forwards are not committed to shutting down their opponents and prevent easy balls through and over.

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This game also gives you food for thought about a player like Eric Garcia. Maybe Flick has been underutilizing him all along. In defensive midfield, he adds strength to defend against counters, but also incredible distribution to break the back lines. There were so many moments in this game where you begged Marc Casado to make the penetrating pass.

The point is that there is a lot for the manager to think about. Barcelona are truly capable of winning the Champions League at their best. But they will have to channel their inner mentality monsters to make the deep run.

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It helps to get a direct pass to the round of 16.

This is a moment to celebrate. To win six Champions League games in a row, however you get them, is an incredible achievement.

But the Blaugrana cannot be complacent. You don’t win silverware without earning it with fighting spirit on the field. In that respect, we saw the best and the worst of Barca in the Benfica remontada.

No game for granted. Barcelona have a special opportunity in front of them that doesn’t come around often. It is there to be accepted. The question is, how badly do they want it?

On Tuesday night we got a glimpse of what they are made of.