Benfica Hosts Monaco in UEFA Champions League Knockout Round

Lisbon, Portugal—Benfica will welcome AS Monaco to the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on February 18, 2025, for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off following a 1-0 victory in the first leg. Both teams head into the match level on aggregate points, but Benfica carries the advantage of being at home.

Benfica’s triumph at Stade Louis II marked a critical moment in their European campaign, allowing them to take a slim lead into this second leg. “Playing at home gives us a great advantage,” said Benfica manager Bruno Lage. “We will rely on our fans to energize us and push us over the line.”

Monaco, managed by Adi Hütter, faces the daunting task of overcoming that deficit while also dealing with injury setbacks. They have managed to secure some impressive wins this season, notably a commanding 7-1 victory against Nantes in Ligue 1. “We must remain confident and execute our game plan thoroughly,” Hütter remarked before the match.

In terms of form, Benfica is currently second in the Liga Portugal, maintaining pressure on league leaders Sporting CP, while Monaco sits fourth in Ligue 1, significantly trailing behind Paris Saint-Germain, who lead by 16 points. With the stakes high and both teams seeking European glory, the match is expected to be fiercely contested.

Benfica will be without midfielder Florentino Luis, who is suspended due to accumulating yellow cards. Injuries also keep Tomas Araujo and Angel Di Maria sidelined. The team will need to call on players like Vangelis Pavlidis, a key striker who netted crucial goals in recent matches. “Our focus is on advancing to the next round; we know the importance of this match,” Pavlidis stated.

On the other side, Monaco will welcome back Christian Mawissa from a ban and hope to utilize the talent of young star Eliesse Ben Seghir, who has impressed in Ligue 1 this season. However, they will miss several players due to injuries and suspensions, including key midfielder Denis Zakaria and attackers Jordan Teze and Folarin Balogun.

The match kicks off at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET. Fans can expect a vibrant atmosphere as Benfica aims to secure their advancement in the Champions League, hoping to set up a clash with FC Barcelona or Liverpool in the round of 16.

As a part of this season’s Champions League campaign, Benfica achieved notable victories against teams like Juventus and Atletico Madrid earlier in the group stage. Monaco, on the other hand, fought hard to qualify but has struggled against Portuguese teams historically, with only one victory in their last eight meetings.

Analysts predict an exciting matchup, with Benfica’s home advantage playing a crucial role. Betting odds favor Benfica, but Monaco’s offensive potential could lead to an upset. As the match approaches, both teams know that every minute counts and that they will need to capitalize on their chances.