UEFA Champions League, Play-off, 12/02/25
Moatasem Al-Musrati was controversially despatched off for imitating a yellow card as AS Monaco misplaced the primary leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off in opposition to Benfica (1-0) on the Stade Louis II.
The Match
The primary-half was bereft of possibilities with each side displaying quite a lot of warning. Maghnes Akliouche had the very best probability of the primary half, drawing a giant save from Anatoliy Trubin within the ninth minute. Benfica, the most effective sides in Europe in transition, seemed harmful at instances however with out ever actually exploiting the area they had been afforded.
Alvaro Carreras drew an excellent save simply earlier than half-time as Benfica had little pleasure in breaking down a defence that did nonetheless present indicators of weak point. And that weak point was exploited upon the return from the dressing room. Vangelis Pavlidis bought in behind Monaco’s excessive line and crucially bought goalside of Mohammed Salisu. The Greek ahead honed in on aim and beat Radoslaw Majecki with a chipped end from a good angle.
Then, 4 minutes later, got here the controversy. Al-Musrati was already on a yellow when he referred to as for Carreras to be proven a second yellow. He didn’t situation it to the Benfica defender however as an alternative to Al-Musrati himself, who mimicked the gesture of awarding a card. Simply because it was through the 3-2 win for Benfica on the Stade Louis II in November, refereeing choices had been on the coronary heart of the dialogue.
Monaco held on with Majecki notably producing an excellent save to disclaim Pavlidis a second from shut vary. Because of this, Monaco head to Lisbon with the hope of qualification nonetheless alive. Les Monégasques are down however not out.
Monaco participant scores
Radoslaw Majecki – 6
He may have finished little or no with the aim and stepped up on two events notably to restrict the injury and provides Monaco an opportunity of progressing subsequent week.
Krépin Diatta – 4
Mohammed Salisu – 2
The Ghanaian was culpable for the aim, getting the mistaken aspect of Pavlidis and failing to play the offside lure. It was the game-defining error.
Thilo Kehrer – 5
Vanderson – 4
Aleksandr Golovin – 4
Denis Zakaria – 5
Moatasem Al-Musrati – 2
His yellow card, while maybe harsh, was logical given the rule. It’s a rule hardly ever utilized however a rule nonetheless. It’s all the extra disappointing on condition that he was introduced in to be a gradual head, an skilled participant in a younger dressing room. For an skilled participant, it was a rookie error. Even previous to his crimson, the sport handed him by and he typically seemed sick comfy in possession.
Maghnes Akliouche – 4
Breel Embolo – 4
Mika Biereth – 4
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