BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona aims to take a big step toward the Champions League knockout stages with a second straight win when it visits Benfica on Tuesday, five days before an always intense match against Real Madrid.
Barcelona matched its best Spanish league start with a comeback 3-2 win at Sevilla on Saturday, and coach Tito Vilanova wants his team to focus on the Portuguese club and not be distracted by Madrid's visit to the Camp Nou on Sunday.
Vilanova says "the game in the Champions League will be more complicated than the game against Madrid. This game is not a moment to hold anything back."
Barcelona will be bolstered by the return of Ballon D'Or winner Andres Iniesta and captain Carles Puyol from injury.
Spartak Moscow hosts Celtic also in Group G.