The upcoming Champions League match is still uncertain for the World Cup-winning star, with his full participation not yet guaranteed.
As the first phase of the Champions League draws to a close, Benfica finds itself in a tough spot. They face an even bigger challenge ahead, with Barcelona looming as a formidable opponent. However, just before this crucial clash, the Portuguese team received some good news. Ángel Di María has returned to training after recovering from an injury.
Due to a muscle injury, Di María missed last Friday’s domestic league match against Famalicão. However, Benfica didn’t feel his absence much as they won the match 4-0.
Still, the World Cup-winning Argentine midfielder will be crucial for Benfica in the upcoming match, especially as they face a high-flying Barcelona on the European stage.
Though the 36-year-old’s full participation in the match hasn’t been confirmed, his return to training the day before has given coach Bruno Lage hope.
“There’s still one day left for us to assess (Di María’s condition),” Lage explained. “The most important thing right now is that he’s trained and been on the field with his teammates. Di María has experience, and I’ll talk to him tomorrow to check his condition. I know one thing for sure—he’s ready.”
“He will be ready, just as he was before the matches against Atlético Madrid and Porto, or in the (League Cup) final against Sporting. He enjoys playing in these kinds of matches. But we need to understand what’s best for the player and the team.”
Benfica, with three wins and one draw from the first six rounds, currently sits 15th on the table with 10 points. To secure a direct spot in the Round of 16, they need to win both of their remaining matches. A negative result could see them knocked out.
The top eight teams from 9th to 24th place in the table will move on to the playoffs, where the winners will secure the final eight spots. With this new format, there could be significant changes in the standings over the next two rounds.
Facing this tough challenge, Benfica will play at home against Barcelona on Tuesday, who sit second with 15 points from five wins.
