MADRID, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both play vital games in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday night, which could do a long way towards determining their workload next month.
Barcelona travels to Benfica looking to ensure a top-eight finish, which would mean Hansi Flick's side would avoid the extra play-off round between sides that finish between ninth and 24th in the group, giving the team two weeks in February without a midweek match to allow for some vital recovery time.
Inigo Martinez's hamstring injury means the central defender misses the trip to Lisbon, while Dani Olmo is also out after suffering a calf strain in Barca's 1-1 draw at Getafe on Saturday.
Although Barca has 15 points from a possible 18, there is still work to do, with sides such as Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich sitting just outside of the top eight, but just three points behind.
Benfica will also be highly motivated given that the Lisbon side sits 15th in the group, with an outside chance of climbing into the top six, but not completely assured of a top-24 finish.
Atletico entertains Bayer Leverkusen sitting in 11th place, but only one point behind its German rival in fourth place, meaning that a home win would give Atletico a great chance of finishing in the top eight and avoiding the play-offs.
Atletico needs to recover quickly after a surprise defeat away to Leganes on Saturday that saw Real Madrid return to the top of La Liga, but coach Diego Simeone will still be without injured striker Alexander Sorloth as his side needs to recover its threat in attack.
The presence of former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso in the Leverkusen dugout should give extra bite to the game, and some may see the match as Alonso's interview to take over at Real Madrid when Carlo Ancelotti departs. ■
