Barcelona begin their Women’s Champions League title defence against Portuguese champions Benfica at home.
BAR-W vs BEN-W Match Details
Date: Thursday, 14 November 2023/ Wednesday, 15 November 2023
Time: 20:00 (BST) / 01:30 (IST)
Venue: Estadi Johan Cruyff, Barcelona
BAR-W vs BEN-W Match Preview
Barcelona won their second Women’s Champions League title in probably the most dramatic final of the competition’s history. Opponents Wolfsburg raced to a 2-0 lead in the first half forcing the Catalan giants to produce a miracle after the break. Midfielder Patricia Guijarro scored twice in a minute to turn the game around before Fridolina Rolfo's strike in the 70th minute completed a remarkable comeback. The scorer of the winner that day will not make the trip to face Benfica as Barcelona begin their title defence on Tuesday but the team once again will be clustered with stars regardless. None so shining at present than Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati. The 25-year-old not only gave an assist for the leveller in the final back in June and clinched the best player of the tournament award but became the best in Spain’s incredible journey to win the Women’s World Cup as well. Bubbling with a winning mentality, the holders would like to dominate the group stages again with Frankfurt and Rosengard other members of the group. With an excellent record at home including wins in the last five with 26 goals scored, the start of it should be no troubling for the side.
While Barcelona got a straight nod to the group stages for winning the Champions League and also their domestic league, Benfica had to start from the qualifiers despite being crowned champions of their league last season. They took apart Cliftonville Ladies, Riga and then Apollon Ladies in the final qualifying round with an aggregate score of 23-1. The Eagles have not lost a single game since April, carrying a 17-game winning streak and have scored 32 goals without reply in the last seven matches all competitions. A terrific form to carry on to the continental stage but the level of competition here will be a whole lot different. Benfica are aware of the fact having exited from the group stages of the Champions League the previous campaign getting two wins but losing the other four. Coincidentally, the team had Barcelona in the same group and opened that Champions League campaign with this fixture as well. The Portuguese outfit was humbled in both fixtures including the last visit to Spain, losing by 9-0, a repeat they would not want. Although Benfica have won the last five fixtures away, they have lost all five meetings with the Blaugranas.
Recent Form (all competitions)
BAR-W: WWWWW
BEN-W: WWWWW
Recent Form (Champions League)
BAR-W: WDWWW
BEN-W: WWWWL
BAR-W vs BEN-W Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Pauels (7.5)
DEF: Bronze (8), Amado (8), Battle (8)
MID: Bonmati (9), Putellas (8.5), Raysla (8), Caldentey (8.5)
FW: Hansen (9), Nazareth (9), Paralluelo (9)
Vice-captain: Alexia Putellas
Captain: Aitana Bonmati
