Benfica v Bayern Munich (agg 0-1)
Away from the Champions League, Benfica have continued their impressive league form as Saturdayֳ 2-1 victory over Acad Coimbra became their seventh in a row; last weekֳ defeat to Bayern was, in fact, the first time they havenִ’t tasted victory since early February. They will be encouraged by only conceding one goal to the German side, particularly as they have scored nine goals in their last two fixtures at home Рalthough three of these came from leading marksman Jonas, who is suspended after picking up his third yellow card of the tournament during the first leg and cannot add to his tally of 32 in all competitions.
INJURY NEWS: Although he made the bench in the last leg, Lisandro Lopez was missing at the weekend with a back problem, but Luisao (broken arm) was an unused substitute in Saturdayֳ win and could come into contention. Nicolas Gaitan (thigh) faces a late fitness test, while Julio Cesar (thigh) and Nuno Santos (knee) remain sidelined.
Bayern could progress to the semi-finals for the sixth time in seven years this evening, but they approach the game with 36-goal˒obert Lewandowski having failed to find the net in his last three matches, while Thomas Muller, behind him with 28, is goalless in four. However, an away goal could well be on the cards from elsewhere, as Bayern have scored in every game they played over the last two months. On top of that, Pep Guardiolaֳ side are fine travellers, with their last loss on the road occurring back in December. One of their three away defeats this season was inflicted by Arsenal in the group stages.
INJURY NEWS: Having not featured for almost a month with a thigh problem, Medhi Benatia was forced to deny reports that he has not travelled to Portugal with the rest of the squad because he forgot his passport, stating on his Facebook page that he has yet to make a full return from his injury. Kingsley Coman, meanwhile, should be fine after a muscle complaint. Arjen Robben (adductor), Jerome Boateng (groin) and Holger Badstuber (broken ankle) are still unavailable.
Atletico Madrid v Barcelona (agg 1-2)
Although they trail on aggregate, Atletico hold a precious away goal after Fernando Torres opened the scoring during the first half at Camp Nou last week. The 32-year-old promptly went from hero to zero 10 minutes later, however, as he was given his marching orders for a second yellow card, later describing the aftermath as Ӵhe worst moments of my career. I just wanted to be alone.ӠDiego Simeoneֳ men have turned up the heat on their opponents in the league after their weekend victory over Espanyol and are now just three points behind them, while they havenִ lost at the Vicente Calderon since January Рbut it was Barcelona who triumphed there in La Liga back in September.
INJURY NEWS: Atleti have been boosted by two returnees ahead of tonightֳ clash. Oliver Torres has been declared fit to play a part following a groin injury, while Stefan Savic, who has been sidelined with a toe problem since February, trained with his team mates earlier this week and could earn a recall. Jose Gimenez (hamstring) and Tiago Mendes (broken leg) are still missing. Fernando Torres is, of course, suspended after last week’s red card.
Barcelonaֳ preparations for tonightֳ tie have not gone quite to plan; theyֶe now failed to win in their last three league games, falling to back-to-back defeats for the first time since October 2014. Additionally, Lionel Messi has now gone 362 minutes without finding the net, which makes it his longest goalscoring drought in club colours since 2011 Рalthough should he end this run tonight, he will hit the 500-mark for both Barcelona and Argentina. Barca are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Atleti, but will bear their 2013/14 Champions League campaign in mind, when they were knocked out on aggregate at the same stage by their La Liga rivals.
INJURY NEWS: Thomas Vermaelen and Rafinha have not been named in Barcelonaֳ squad due to respective calf and adductor problems. A hip injury meant Gerard Pique was unable to train earlier this week, but it is unlikely to prevent him from playing tonight. Adriano, meanwhile, has recovered from his hamstring injury. Still sidelined are Aleix Vidal (adductor), Sandro Ramirez (quadriceps) and Jeremy Mathieu (knee).