[Jules Kounde explained why he likes Barcelona’s 1-0 win](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2025/3/5/24377905/benfica-barcelona-champions-league-round-16-1st-leg-final-score-match-report-recap-reactions) over Benfica more than the 5-4 victory achieved in the group phase back in January.
A single goal from Raphinha saw Hansi Flick’s side emerge victorious at the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday night, giving them the edge in the Champions League last 16 tie.
The game may not have been as dramatic as the 5-4 win back in January, but Kounde says he’d rather win by a single goal.
> “I like a 0-1 more than a 4-5 because as a defender I always want a clean sheet,” he told reporters.
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> “I am happy, this type of match marks the season. Today we had to lower the defense a little because playing against Benfica**,** with one man less and the line advanced, would have been very difficult.
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> “When you play with one less player, you have to put in extra effort and we did well, closing down on the inside and not leaving many spaces for Benfica. It’s true that they had chances but they came from the outside, so I think we did quite well.”
The two teams will meet again next week at Monjuic, with the winners going on to play either Lille or Dortmund in the quarter-finals of the competition.