Benfica will face FC Barcelona in the upcoming Champions League Round of 16 match without their influential winger, Ángel Di María. The Argentine veteran sustained a muscle injury during the first leg of the playoff against AS Monaco, which has sidelined him for this crucial fixture.
Di María's absence is a significant blow to Benfica's attacking prowess. At 36, he has been instrumental in orchestrating the team's offensive plays, contributing experience and creativity on the field. His partnership with forward Vangelis Pavlidis, who has netted 17 goals this season—including seven in the Champions League—has been particularly noteworthy.
The injury woes for Di María began earlier this season. He was forced to leave the pitch due to a muscular issue during the first leg of the playoff against AS Monaco. This incident marked his third muscle-related setback in recent times, raising concerns about his fitness and availability for key matches.
In Di María's absence, the onus falls on other attacking talents within the squad. Manager Bruno Lage may look to players like Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Andreas Schjelderup to fill the creative void. Additionally, the midfield duo of Orkun Kökçü and Florentino Luís will need to step up to ensure stability and supply to the forwards.
Barcelona, on the other hand, approaches the match with relatively fewer injury concerns. Their primary absentee is defender Andreas Christensen, which means they will field a largely full-strength squad.
No comments:
Post a Comment