Real Sociedad's Igor Zubeldia, right, blocks a shot by Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain . (AP )

MADRID, March 4, (Xinhua): FC Barcelona visits Lisbon on Wednesday for the first leg of its Champions League last-16 away match to Benfica.

The game comes less than two months after the two teams met in arguably the most exciting of all the matches in the group stage of the tournament, which saw Barcelona come back to win 5-4 after trailing 3-1 and 4-2 on a chaotic night that saw Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha each score twice, with Raphinha sprinting half the length of the pitch to score the winning goal in the sixth minute of injury time.

Hansi Flick's side has returned to form in Spain since the end of January and is now at the top of the table, with a one-point lead over Atletico Madrid and three points over Real Madrid, who face each other in Europe on Tuesday night.

Barcelona enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 win at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday, in a game made much easier in the 17th minute when the visitor had defender Aritz Elustondo sent off.

With the game under control, Flick was able to take off players such as Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, and Ronald Araujo. At the same time, central defender Inigo Martinez was able to watch the entire game from the bench.

All of those players, except Araujo, will start on Wednesday night, while Frenkie de Jong is likely to return in central midfield for Marc Casado.

Benfica coach Bruno Lage has a long list of injuries, with Alexander Bah, Renato Sanches, Manu Silva, and Tiago Gouveia all out. Veteran winger Angel Di Maria is struggling with a muscle problem that is likely to keep him out as well.

Di Maria will be a big loss as his experience in tight spaces would greatly help in trying to beat Barcelona's high-press and offside trap.

With the return to Barcelona next Tuesday, Wednesday's game is unlikely to see the all-out attack of the last meeting between the two teams, but Benfica has shown how to score against Barcelona and Flick has made things clear he won't be changing tactics.