Benfica managed to secure a crucial 1-0 victory over Monaco at the Stade Louis II on Wednesday night. The decisive goal came from Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored just three minutes into the second half, capitalizing on Monaco’s weakened defense after midfielder Moatasem al-Musrati was sent off.
The match started with both teams showing intent, but it was Benfica who took control in the second half. Pavlidis, who has been in excellent form this season, found himself in the right place at the right time to latch onto a pass from Tomás Araújo and coolly lift the ball over Monaco goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki. The goal came at a crucial moment, just after al-Musrati was shown a second yellow card for arguing with the referee, leaving Monaco with ten men1.
Benfica’s victory gives them a significant advantage as they head into the second leg at the Estádio da Luz next Tuesday. The win is particularly important for Benfica, who are currently second in the Portuguese league behind their Lisbon rivals Sporting2. The team will be hoping to replicate their success from the league phase in November when they came from behind twice to win 3-2 against Monaco.
Monaco, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back in the return leg. The team has had a challenging run in the Champions League, with four defeats in their last five European outings2. Monaco’s coach, Adi Hütter, will be hoping to inspire his side to a comeback, but the task will be difficult without al-Musrati and potentially other key players who may be suspended for the second leg.
Pavlidis’ goal was his sixth in this season’s Champions League, highlighting his importance to the Benfica team. His consistent performances have been a key factor in Benfica’s success in the competition, including a hat-trick in the dramatic 5-4 loss to Barcelona last month2. The Greek international’s ability to find the net in crucial moments has made him a standout player in the tournament.
The match was a tense and closely contested affair, with both teams creating chances but struggling to convert them. Monaco had several opportunities to equalize, but Benfica’s defense held firm, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin making a crucial save in stoppage time to secure the victory. The win gives Benfica a slender advantage as they head to the Allianz Arena for the second leg next Tuesday.
Benfica’s coach, Bruno Lage, praised his team’s performance, acknowledging the importance of the victory and the challenge that lies ahead. “We are really disappointed, we had a good first half. We conceded that goal. I’ll be honest, we got killed off a bit, from a potential yellow card (against them) to an exclusion against us. We were punished for an action where Benfica’s fullback could have been booked and we were the ones getting booked. It’s not a good result, let’s be honest1. There’s still the return leg and we’re staying positive.”
The return leg promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair, with both teams vying for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League. The winners of the tie will face a huge challenge in the last 16 against either Liverpool or Barcelona, adding extra motivation for both sides to perform at their best2.
In conclusion, Vangelis Pavlidis’ second-half strike was the decisive moment in Benfica’s crucial away win over Monaco. The victory gives Benfica a significant advantage as they head into the second leg, but Monaco will be looking to stage a comeback and secure their place in the last 161. The Champions League continues to deliver high-intensity matches and unforgettable moments, and this encounter was no exception.
