Monaco welcomes Benfica at the Louis II stadium this Wednesday evening for the first leg of the Champions League dams, in a decisive confrontation where the players of the Principality will try to erase the disappointment of their 3-2 defeat in the group phase.
After a promising start to the campaign, the Monegasques saw their ambitions crumble. Serious candidates for the top 8, they fell to 17th place, missing the chance to be the head of the dams. The 3-0 defeat against Inter Milan on the last day was the blow of grace, but it was indeed the reverse against Benfica who started their decline. However, reaching the Top 24 remains a small victory for the Adi Hütter team, back in the Champions League for the first time since 2018-2019 after two consecutive eliminations in the group phase. However, the dynamics are disturbing: five defeats in the last nine games, and eleven goals conceded in just four games. It is therefore good in the defensive sector that Monaco will have to correct things to hope to see the knockout stages of C1.
The recent 4-1 shipwreck against PSG in Ligue 1 has made Monaco back off outside the podium for the first time in months. A preparation far from being ideal before this crucial confrontation, where it will be necessary to show a completely different face to hope to continue the European adventure. The Monegasques will have to be much more solid defensively after having conceded twenty goals in two months. The Brazilian side Vanderson is aware that the yield of the ASM is not as good as in the start of the season but given a real rebound in front of the Portuguese ” It is a very important dam match for us as for them. Yes, our shape of the moment is slightly sawing, but we only think of our style of play. It will be important to manage our emotions and stay focused on the two matches, since it is a round-trip confrontation.“”
Benfica, the shadow of a familiar opponent
Benfica, for her part, returns to the Principality with the firm intention to reissue his performance last November. The eagles seem to have got into the habit of dominating Monaco, with successes in 2014 and this season. Their record against French clubs is also solid, with only three defeats in the last thirteen confrontations. The Lisbon club nevertheless crossed turbulence recently, especially with a spectacular defeat 5-4 against Barça after having led 3-1 then 4-2, followed by a 3-1 setback against Casa Pia. But the reaction was not long in coming: a resounding success 2-0 against Juventus allowed the men of Bruno Lage to ensure their qualification for these dams. Since then, Benfica has chained two championship victories, returning to four points from the leader, Sporting. Faced with an opponent he knows well, Monaco will have to draw from his resources to regain confidence and vibrate the Louis II stadium, in the hope of continuing his European journey.
What time will the meeting take place?
The match between AS Monaco and Benfica Lisbon who will be led by Serbian referee Rade Obrenovic will start at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Louis II stadium.
On which TV channel is broadcast Monaco – Benfica?
The meeting will be broadcast live and in full on Canal+ and Canal+ Live 1
What streaming broadcast for the match?
You can follow the meeting in streaming via the MyCanal application.
Possible compositions
Adi Hütter will still have to do without Singo and Balogun (injured) while Mawissa is suspended after her expulsion against Inter. In the interview, the new Libyan recruit Al Mustari should be preferred to Lamine Camara to accompany Zakaria, while in attacking the system with two attackers who paid off (privileged since the second period against Auxerre, February 1 ) should be renewed with a biereth – embolo tandem.
For its part Benfica will be deprived of Alexander Bah and Manu Silva (knee sprain). Angel Di Maria absent last weekend against Moreirense is still uncertain because of a muscle injury.
The probable composition of AS Monaco: Majecki – Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Caïo Henrique – Zakaria, Camara, Akliouche, Minamino, Golovine – Biereth
Benfica’s probable composition: Trubin – Araujo, Silva, Otamendi, Carreras – Florentino, Aursnes, Kokcu – Akturkoglu, Schjelderup, Pavlidis
Probable ribs
Despite the defeat against Benfica on November 27 at home (2-3), Monaco remains slightly favorite for this round
BETCLIC: Monaco 2.30 / zero 3.63 / Benfica 2.94
Unibet: Monaco 2,28 / zero 3.65 / Benfica 2.95
Winamax: Monaco 2.30 / zer 3.65 / Benfica 2.95
Sport betons: monaco 2.30 / zero 3.60 / benfica 2.95