Monaco vs Benfica: Match Preview
On February 12, 2025, AS Monaco will host Benfica at Stade Louis II in Monaco for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff. The match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 CET. Monaco enters the game following a 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities that they will need to address against a formidable Benfica side. Benfica, on the other hand, has been performing well in Liga Portugal and will look to leverage their recent form to gain an advantage in this crucial encounter.
Both teams will be without key players due to injuries. Monaco will miss the suspended Christian Mawissa and the injured Wilfried Singo, Folarin Balogun, Mohamed Camara, and Johan Teze. Benfica will be without Bah and Manu Silva, both sidelined with ligament injuries. Despite these absences, Benfica will rely on the talents of Ángel Di María, who has been instrumental in their Champions League campaign, and Vangelis Pavlidis, a prolific goal scorer. Monaco will need to find a way to contain these threats while capitalising on their home advantage.