Benfica vs Monaco

Benfica and Monaco are set to square off in the second leg of their Champions League knockout playoff tie at Estadio da Luz.

Benfica seized the numerical advantage in the French principality to snatch away a slender 1-0 win, positioning themselves perfectly to reach the Champions League last-16 for the third time in five years. Buoyed by an ongoing five-game winning streak in all competitions, Bruno Lage’s charges return to Estadio da Luz to atone for a heartbreaking 5-4 defeat to Barcelona in their last Champions League home outing. However, Benfica’s recent home record at Europe’s top table can’t inspire belief as they’ve only won once in their last eight Champions League games in Lisbon (D2, L5). Luckily, a draw would be enough to propel them into the next round, with the Eagles drawing confidence from progressing from three of the four previous Champions League knockout ties when winning the first leg. 

Visiting Monaco will aim to worsen that record after demolishing Ligue 1 minnows Nantes 7-1 at the weekend! However, they’ve not been remotely prolific in the Champions League, failing to get on the scoresheet in three of their last four outings in this competition. Despite that alarming trend, Adi Hutter’s charges accumulated 12 goals in this season’s league phase, suggesting a second-leg comeback is not far-fetched. Yet, there’s a reason for caution, with Monaco beaten by three goals ‘to nil’ by Arsenal and Inter Milan on their last two Champions League road trips. As a result, ‘Les Monégasques’ could lose three away matches at Europe’s top table for the first time since 2000!