Official: Barcelona to face Benfica in Champions League Round of 16 | OneFootball

On Friday, February 21, 2025, at 12:00 PM CEST, the football world turned its attention to Nyon, Switzerland, where the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw took place.

After an exhilarating league phase and knockout playoff round, the stage was set for the next chapter of the 2024/25 competition.

Eight teams had already secured their spots in the Round of 16 by finishing in the top eight of the league phase: Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atlético Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, and Aston Villa.

They were joined by the eight winners of the knockout playoffs, including Bayern Munich, Benfica, Club Brugge, Feyenoord, PSG, PSV, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund.

For FC Barcelona, who finished second behind Liverpool, the draw promised a matchup against either PSG or Benfica—the two surviving teams from the playoff ties involving Brest vs. PSG and Monaco vs. Benfica.

The anticipation was palpable at the House of European Football as fans awaited the fate of Hansi Flick’s squad. PSG had stormed through their playoff tie against Brest with a staggering 10-0 aggregate victory, while Benfica edged out Monaco with a 4-3 aggregate scoreline.

With the draw set to determine not only the Round of 16 ties but also the bracket path through to the final, Barcelona fans braced themselves for a challenging yet exciting clash.

The Draw: Barcelona vs. Benfica

The moment arrived, and the verdict was clear: FC Barcelona will take on SL Benfica in the Round of 16. The first leg will see Hansi Flick’s side travel to the Estádio da Luz on March 4 or 5, with the return leg set for the Montjuïc on March 11 or 12.

As a seeded team, Barcelona will enjoy the advantage of hosting the second leg—a factor that could prove decisive in this tightly contested matchup.

This pairing is a rematch of an instant classic from the league phase, where Barcelona staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Benfica 5-4, capped by Raphinha’s last-gasp winner.

The Portuguese side, however, showed their mettle in the playoffs, ousting Monaco with resilience and flair. Led by the likes of Ángel Di María and Vangelis Pavlidis, Benfica will be eager to exact revenge on their home turf, setting the stage for another high-octane encounter.

What Lies Ahead

Barcelona’s clash with Benfica promises fireworks. The Blaugrana’s attacking fluidity, driven by stars like Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Yamal, will face a stern test against Benfica’s organized defense and counterattacking threat.

Flick’s tactical acumen will be key, especially after navigating the earlier thriller against the Lisbon outfit. For Benfica, the chance to upset one of Europe’s giants offers motivation aplenty.

With the quarterfinal and semifinal pathways also laid out today, Barcelona’s journey toward a sixth Champions League title is taking shape.

This Round of 16 tie is a golden opportunity to build momentum, but it won’t come easy. Culés, mark your calendars—March will bring another chapter in Barcelona’s European saga, and it’s one you won’t want to miss.