Benfica heads into tonight’s return leg with a slender 1-0 advantage after their hard-fought victory in Monaco. The Portuguese side now faces a daunting task as they host a beleaguered Monaco side at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, where every minute counts in this Champions League play-off tie.
Match Context & Importance
Benfica’s solitary goal, crafted by the deft movement of Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis, was a turning point in a match marred by Monaco’s disciplinary lapses. After the French outfit was reduced to ten men early on, Benfica capitalized and secured the lead. Now, Monaco must overturn the deficit on the road if they hope to progress to the round of 16. However, their challenge is compounded by several key absences due to suspensions and injuries.
Recent Form & Tactical Overview
Both teams have been in fine form recently. Monaco delivered an emphatic 7-1 victory in Ligue 1 against Nantes, showcasing their attacking prowess despite off-field issues. Conversely, Benfica have been unstoppable across competitions, marking their fifth consecutive win with a solid performance at Santa Clara. Historically, Benfica has enjoyed the upper hand in encounters between these two sides—a factor that could prove decisive in tonight’s high-stakes return leg.
Match Details
- Date: Tuesday, January 18
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT)
- Venue: Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Lisbon
- Referee: Glenn Nyberg (SWE) with VAR support from Rob Dieperink (NED)
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Benfica Updates:
The Portuguese outfit is managing several setbacks ahead of the match. Veteran Angel Di Maria, who was substituted during the first leg, is set to miss tonight’s encounter. Additionally, Renato Sanches is sidelined with a thigh injury, while Tiago Gouveia and Fredrik Aursnes are potential absentees. With Florentino Luis serving a suspension, Leandro Barreiro is expected to step in. Long-term injuries to Alexander Bah and Manu Silva further complicate Benfica’s lineup. The likely formation is a 4-3-3, with Trubin in goal; Araujo, Silva, Otamendi, and Fernandez anchoring the defense; Barreiro, Aursnes, and Kokcu orchestrating the midfield; and Akturkoglu, Pavlidis, and Schjelderup leading the attack.
Monaco Updates:
Monaco faces a significant dilemma with three players suspended, including recent signing Al-Musrati, compounded by further absences from Vanderson and Denis Zakaria due to yellow card accumulations. Injury woes continue with Folarin Balogun, Aleksandr Golovin, Wilfried Singo, Jordan Teze, and Soungoutou Magassa all expected to miss the game. Despite these setbacks, young striker George Ilenikhena made an impressive return by netting a brace off the bench in their last outing. Monaco are projected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring Majecki in goal; Teze, Kehrer, Mawissa, and Henrique forming the backline; Camara, and Coulibaly in midfield; and a forward line led by Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir, with Biereth as the lone striker.
Match Prediction
Given their home advantage and the momentum from their earlier win, Benfica are poised to maintain their aggregate lead. While Monaco’s youthful energy brings excitement, their injury and suspension issues are likely to stifle any potential comeback.
The prediction leans towards a controlled performance by Benfica, potentially sealing the tie with a 2-0 win.
Broadcast Information
For fans eager to catch all the live action tonight:
- United Kingdom: Available on discovery+, discovery+ App, and TNT Sports 2
- United States: Streaming live on Paramount+
- Canada: Watch via DAZN Canada
As the stakes escalate, both teams are set to deliver a tactical battle that could shape their Champions League fortunes. Can Monaco defy the odds and overturn the deficit, or will Benfica’s organized approach and home support prove too much? Stay tuned for a thrilling contest tonight.