Benfica coach wants to give Barcelona ‘a good response’ following UCL Round of 16 draw

The knockout playoffs of the UEFA Champions League have concluded and with it, the draw for the Round of 16 of this season’s UCL campaign.

After a formidable league campaign that saw them finish second, Barcelona are all set to face SL Benfica in the Round of 16.

It is quite a favourable opponent for Barcelona, who had a chance of facing the mighty Paris Saint-Germain in the next round.

However, Benfica will be a daunting opponent nonetheless, as they are coming on the back of a 4-3 aggregate win over AS Monaco.

SL Benfica coach on facing Barcelona

Reacting to the Barcelona draw, Benfica coach Bruno Lage pointed out how it is important for the Eagles to have ambition if they are to get through to the quarterfinals.

Lage also mentioned the unfortunate 5-4 loss to Barcelona earlier in the month but was quick to point out the win over Juventus in the final league match of the season.

Bruno Lage is not looking for revenge against Barcelona (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“It was a great game and a great night against Barcelona. Unfortunately, it ended in an unfavourable result, but the team was able to respond well against Juventus,” he recalled (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

Lage added that Benfica will try to replicate similar performances when they take on Barcelona in the Round of 16 next month.

“That’s what we’re going to try to do. We have two games against Barcelona. We want to give a good response. We must have ambition to move forward.”

The Portuguese tactician also said that Benfica shouldn’t think about ‘revenge’ but rather focus on how to overcome the challenge posed by Barça.

Benfica are set to take on the Catalans on March 5 in the first leg, which will be played at Estadio da Luz.