Lamine Yamal spearheading Barcelona’s European revival

Barcelona's last visit to face Benfica in 2021 ended in a heavy defeat and a swift exit from the Uefa Champions League group stage. But with young starlet Lamine Yamal propelling a team on the rise, hopes are far higher for the Catalans this time around.

Barca head into Tuesday's match second in the group standings behind leaders Liverpool, and can seal progression to the last 16 at the Estadio da Luz, avoiding the new play-off phase.

It was a different story three years ago. Ronald Koeman was sacked soon after a 3-0 defeat and with the club heading towards a nadir.

Another Barcelona legend, Xavi, was parachuted in to steady the ship, and guided the Catalans as they won La Liga in 2022/23. It turned out to be short-lived, with Xavi walking away from Camp Nou in 2024 after a meek title defence.

Xavi did help teenager Yamal blossom, handing him his debut in April 2023 aged 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days. Yamal has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of Europe's leading lights, helping Spain win Euro 2024 and emerging as the symbol of Hansi Flick's exciting Barcelona side at the tender age of 17.

Barcelona have already thrashed reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid twice this season in La Liga and most recently in the Spanish Super Cup final held in Jeddah, as well as swatting aside German giants Bayern Munich earlier in the group phase.

Financial problems still trouble Barcelona, as evidenced by the recent Dani Olmo registration debacle. But on the pitch Flick's side, at their best, are capable of producing majestic football.

Yamal has been crucial to that. The silky winger, often compared to all-time Barcelona great Lionel Messi who also came through the club's La Masia youth academy, is playing on a level matched by few others in world football at present.

"Yes, he is," said his teammate Gavi, when asked if Yamal was the world's best player. "Well, after Lionel Messi, he's the best."

Yamal's skill and speed makes him Barcelona's biggest threat, racking up nine goals and 13 assists in 25 games across competitions, although on the left wing Raphinha has enjoyed a stunning season so far and been vital in front of goal.

The Brazilian winger, linked with a departure last summer, has fought to show his importance and struck 20 times, as well as providing 11 assists in 29 appearances.

Gavi has returned from a long-term injury strongly, Pedri is in career-best form in midfield, while 17-year-old centre-back, Pau Cubarsi, is also important in defence.

However Yamal's impact on the team's play is hard to replace when the forward is missing, as evidenced by a handful of games which he missed injured or was benched for a rest.

Without the winger starting, Barcelona lost against Osasuna, Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo, Las Palmas and Atletico Madrid in La Liga, slumping to third in the table having led for several weeks.

"I think in great matches you see big talent and he's showed it many times," Flick said after a Yamal tour de force against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey last week. "He's on a really good [path]."

With Yamal named in the line-up Barcelona have lost just twice this season, while winning 19 times and drawing twice.

One of the defeats came against Monaco in the Champions League in September, with Barcelona winning their next five in Europe after that.

Yamal and Barcelona will seek another victory in Lisbon to guarantee progress as part of the top eight and, a decade after they last lifted the trophy, show the five-time winners should be counted among Europe's elite.