Angel Di Maria will not be able to participate in his team Benfica’s match against Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, due to injury.
The Benfica delegation flew from Portugal to Spain to play the second leg at the Olympic Stadium Luis Companys, without Di Maria.
The Argentine star suffered in recent weeks from a muscle injury that prevented him from joining the first leg, and now he will also not be able to support Bruno Lage’s squad in the second leg.
The 37-year-old did not participate in Benfica’s last 7 matches in all competitions due to that injury, and there is no doubt that his continued absence against Barcelona represents a major blow to the Portuguese club.
Di Maria has played 32 matches so far this season with Benfica in all competitions, during which he scored 14 goals and made 8 others, which demonstrates his great value and importance to his team.
Benfica lost the first leg to Barcelona by a clean goal scored by Rafinha, and they need a small comeback to pull off a surprise and eliminate Barcelona and qualify for the quarter-finals.
