Lanky Serb Matic (pictured), brought in to the holding role and Argentine Perez, a winger who has adapted to centre midfield, have been elevated to the first team since the departure of top midfielders Javi Garcia and Axel Witsel over the summer.
Benfica fans despaired when Garcia signed for Manchester City and Witsel for Zenit St Petersburg, crying out against the club's transfer policy and questioning the depth and balance of the squad, said to be too flooded with attackers and lacking enough defenders and midfielders.
Benfica coach Jorge Jesus will face his sternest test so far in the Group G clash, though buoyed by how Sevilla twice exposed the Spanish team's makeshift defence in Saturday's La Liga thriller, he believes Barcelona are there for the taking.
"In the Champions there are always surprises. Last year we drew against Manchester United twice. We got through and they did not: this is football. There are no invincible teams and, in a good day for us or a bad day for them, we can win," said Jesus.
"Barcelona are not only the favourites in the group, but also to win the Champions. In theory, Celtic, Benfica and Spartak can conquer the other [qualifying] spot."
New signing Lima will spearhead the attack and threaten Barcelona with his explosive runs and fierce shots, the Brazilian taking over from Paraguay's Oscar Cardozo, who is out having suffered a knock.
"It would be better not to suffer but it's important to have the capacity for sacrifice and to want to keep competing," said Vilanova, in his first season in charge after taking over from Pep Guardiola at the end of last term.
"A team that fights back to turn games around shows it has the desire to keep winning," he added, as Barca extended their perfect start to the La Liga season with a sixth straight win.
