What kind of team will Barcelona field when they take on Benfica this Wednesday? It's anyone's guess, really. Some stars will play, while others will sit. Tito Vilanova will likely give a run-out to multiple B-team players, but will not want to play a complete B-team, and instead will take the chance to see how some of his best youngsters blend into the first team.
Barcelona vs. Benfica: Preview and TV schedule
The Blaugrana will play a number of B-team members. Guess who?
Benfica are tied on points with Celtic and need to pull off a shock result at the Camp Nou if they're going to progress to the knockout stage of the competition. It's realistic with a number of Barca stars likely to sit out, but Barcelona's B team is no joke. One of Benfica's regulars, Nolito, was a long-time Barcelona B player.
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Daniel Alves, Alexis Sanchez
Benfica injuries and suspensions
Out: Pablo Aimar, Carlos Martins, Eduardo Salvio, Enzo Perez
Benfica are a bit thin in midfield at the moment with their absences. Barcelona might rest players other than their two injured stars, but there’s no way of telling who. Because the game is at the Camp Nou, Vilanova didn’t have to decide who to leave at home and who to take to the game.
Match date/time: Wednesday, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
TV: DirecTV Soccer (U.S.), Sky Sports red button (U.K.), TVA Sports (Canada), Sport TV1 (Portugal), Canal+ (Spain)
Online: FOX Soccer 2 Go (U.S.)
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