Monaco vs Benfica: Champions League Match Summary
Tactical Analysis: Monaco Falls to Benfica in the Champions League
Introduction
Stade Louis II was the stage for a thrilling Champions League encounter, pitting Monaco against Benfica. This final stage match saw Benfica prevail 1-0, a result that reflects a clear statistical dominance despite shared ball possession.
Development
The final score of 0-1 in favor of Benfica only tells part of the story. Although there were no penalty shootouts, the intensity of the game was palpable. Benfica dominated possession with 55% compared to Monaco’s 45%, a statistic that translated into an avalanche of shots: 22 for Benfica versus only 4 for Monaco. This significant difference illustrates Monaco’s difficulty in creating clear chances.
Benfica’s dominance was also evident in corners, with a 7-2 advantage. Monaco managed to limit the damage by avoiding offsides (0 compared to Benfica’s 3), but this was not enough to compensate for their offensive inferiority. V. Pavlidis’ decisive goal in the 48th minute sealed the fate of the match.
The match was marked by fluctuating discipline on both sides. Vanderson, D. Zakaria, M. Al Musrati, and F. Luis all received yellow cards, demonstrating the physical and sometimes excessive commitment of the players. The absence of red cards suggests, however, that the match, although contested, remained within the bounds of sportsmanship.
Conclusion
Benfica’s victory over Monaco in the Champions League is well-deserved, given their statistical dominance and offensive efficiency. Monaco, despite a certain combativeness, lacked creativity and precision in front of goal. This match underscores the importance of possession and the ability to convert chances into goals. For football enthusiasts, this encounter offers a concrete illustration of the impact of statistics on the final result and highlights areas for improvement for Monaco in this prestigious competition. Benfica’s performance, particularly in terms of shots and corners, was decisive for the outcome of the match. The ranking of the teams, Monaco (17) and Benfica (16), did not necessarily predict Benfica’s dominance on the field. The Champions League remains unpredictable.
Detailed Match
| Stadium | Type |
|---|---|
| Stade Louis II, Monaco | Champions League – Final Stage |
Team Statistics
| Team | Score | Possession (%) | Total Shots | Corners | Offside | Who put the ball in the net? | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monaco | 0 | 45%% | 4 | 2 | 0 | ‘ | |
| Benfica | 1 | 55%% | 22 | 7 | 3 | V. Pavlidis | 48” |