Monaco needed a big night, he was especially entitled to immense frustration. Beaten 1-0 by Benfica, as in the group phase, the Principality club will have to achieve a feat on the return to see the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Too shy monaco, too inspired pavlidis
It was already a complicated match. It has become a mission impossible in the space of four minutes. In the 48th, Vangelis Pavlidis had a flash of genius, a ladle perfect for Lober Majecki and offer the advantage to Benfica. The goal of the evening, that of an attacker in confidence, who had already brought hell to life at FC Barcelona in the group phase.
Golovin and Monaco could not face Benfica.
And then, the turn of the match. 52nd minute, an harmless action, a challenge, a second yellow. Al Musrati is excluded while Carreras, the author of the Portuguese fault, is doing without a Biscotte. Italian referee Maurizio Mariani takes out the cardboard, imperturbable. Stupor at Louis-II, Building on the Monegasque bench. At ten, Monaco had nothing to hope for.
Too little, too late
And yet Benfica was not impressive. Angel Di María, spared, only entered the end of the match. Before the opening of the score, Majecki had saved his own against Carreras at the 44th, but for the rest, the Portuguese did not have to force their talent.
The real problem is that Monaco did not try anything. A strike from Akliouche in the 11th minute, then nothing. No revolt, no rhythm, no hope. To imagine yourself in eighths, you will have to show a completely different face in Lisbon. Without error, without passivity, and especially at 11 against 11.
