AS Monaco Faces Benfica in Crucial Champions League Play-Off Return Leg
A week after suffering a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the Stade Louis-II in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie, AS Monaco travels to Lisbon to face Benfica in the return fixture. Having lost the opening match of the tie, Adi Hütter’s side will need to score at least once if they are to advance to the Champions League round of 16.
The principality side has not reached this stage of the competition since the 2016-2017 season, and they will be desperate to end that drought. However, they face a tough task against a Benfica team that is in good form and has a strong record at home.
Benfica has lost just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions, and they have won their last three home games in the Champions League. They will be confident of their chances of completing the job and securing their place in the next round.
Monaco, on the other hand, has been struggling for form in recent weeks. They have lost three of their last five matches in all competitions, and they have failed to score in their last two away games.
Hütter will need to find a way to get his team firing on all cylinders if they are to overcome the deficit and progress to the next round. He will likely make changes to the team that started the first leg, with Wissam Ben Yedder, Kevin Volland, and Aleksandr Golovin all pushing for recalls.
The match will take place on Tuesday, February 18th, at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 CET, and the game will be broadcast live on Canal+ Foot.
Key Battles
- Wissam Ben Yedder vs. Nicolás Otamendi: Monaco’s leading scorer will be up against one of the most experienced defenders in the world. Ben Yedder will need to be at his best if he is to find a way past Otamendi and score the goals that Monaco needs.
- Aleksandr Golovin vs. Florentino Luis: Two of the most talented young midfielders in Europe will go head-to-head in this match. Golovin will be looking to create chances for his teammates, while Florentino Luis will be tasked with breaking up Monaco’s attacks.
- Kevin Volland vs. Jan Vertonghen: Monaco’s other in-form attacker will be up against another experienced defender. Volland will need to use his pace and skill to get behind Vertonghen and create chances for himself and his teammates.
Prediction
This is a tough match to call, but Benfica will be the slight favorites. They have the home advantage, and they are in better form than Monaco. However, Monaco has the quality to cause an upset, and if they can score an early goal, they will be right back in the tie.
Overall, I predict a close match with Benfica winning 2-1.
